Sundress Series-Pintuck Ruffled Maxi Dress

I am so proud and excited to be a part of Melly Sews Sundress Series.

30 days of sundresses and there were SO MANY fantastic ideas this year I can't believe I am included in this amazing group of women.

I had so many ideas flowing when I first received the invitation. I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go. Remember last year?  My tied in a bow maxi for my expecting days. Was that only last summer? WOW it feels like so long ago.

Keeping with tradition I choose to share another maxi dress this year, but this time it is for my little Lizzy bug. I actually based my dress off of Violette Field Threads ginger dress pattern. Who doesn't love a pattern remix? I love their patterns and the ginger top/dress is one of my favorites. But of course, I added my own little twist just to make it one of a kind. Elizabeth is in love with long dresses so this was an easy choice.

I actually found the fabric for the dress in my mother-in-laws fabric stash. A good size piece in fact. (Sorry I don't have the exact measurements of the piece.) I started with the skirt portion. My daughter is 38" tall. You will have to adjust to fit your model. My skirt pieces were 36" long and 29" wide. (2 pieces). I laid the pieces out on a flat surface and started the pintuck pleats. 7 inches from the top I created 6 pleats each measuring 2" wide.

The best way I have found is to measure, pin in place, iron down, flip the flap up, sew along the ironed line, flip the flap back down and press flat.  

Repeat for all 6 pleats on the front and 6 more for the back.

Then I created the top. I followed the instructions except I added a placket to the front with ric rac peaking out the sides. Fold a piece of fabric in half measuring 4 inches wide and the length of your top piece. With RST sew the placket together. Then flip right side out and iron flat with seam on the middle backside.

 Place the placket in the center of the top. Adjust your ric rac to the outsides.

 Pin well. Topstitch along the placket making sure to catch the ric rac.

 Add the buttons.

The placket is stitched to the front of the top before I added the lining piece. I also added ric rac to the collar pieces.

I followed the instructions for the remainder of the dress, just make sure to match up your pleats for the front and back of the skirt so that they are even all around the dress. The only other adjustment I made was adding length to the straps. I made the straps 2x as long for a nice full bow in the back.

This dress turned out better than I had hoped for. I love the pleats, it gives the dress a lot more body and flow. And the print and colors are perfect for a season of teals, turquoise, and mint. Of course little Lizzy loves her new LONG DRESS too. I can't stop her from twirling in it.

Thanks again to Melissa from Melly Sews and all the other Sundress contributors. I sure have added a lot of sundresses on my to make list.