Purl and Seam

handmade in Lancashire

Made by Rae Geranium Dress – maxi sundress hack

August 29, 2019

I think the Made by Rae Geranium dress is one of my most used patterns.  I’ve made it for Summer several times over the years, and used it to make gifts for friend’s little girls.

There’s a reason we love it so much.  It’s a simple and quick make.  It shows off a pretty fabric.  The size range is good. And there are lots of opportunities to switch it up. Since I first purchased this pattern years ago, an expansion pack has been added to give even more options.

However, this is my hack. And I love it!

Like the fabric used for the recent jumpsuit, this is from Australia via Liz. Thankfully, this one is much better behaved. It’s a lightweight jersey with a bonkers tropical print. It’s seconds….the flamingos don’t have beaks! But if you’re that close to my child to notice, you’ve got bigger problems!

Summer was insistent that this be a maxi dress, and it was all going swimmingly. I added the necessary length to the skirt and pinned it all out…then realised that to achieve the look she wanted, we couldn’t fit the bodice piece fully on the fabric.

I cut as much of the bodice piece as I could, then quickly basted everything together with some makeshift straps. A little thoughtful pinning gave me the shape we ended up with. I had enough scraps left to cut the straps. We were good to go.

The bodice isn’t lined. There are no fastenings at the back. I interfaced the straps lightly so they’ll hold the weight of the dress, such as it is.

Whilst I really flew by the seat of my pants with this one, it totally worked out. I wasn’t sure I liked this fabric…but in this dress, I do. And Summer loves it too. It’s cool and breezy, slightly dressy but in a ‘secret pyjamas’ kind of way.

Phew!

Related

CATEGORIES // Sewing

« Stash Stories – new season update
Sheep in sweaters – Made by Ma! »

RELATED POSTS

  • DIY Teen Blackwood Cardigan – Helen’s Closet
  • DIY Cocoon T-shirt – Hot Patterns Blouse-Back Tee
  • DIY Sweater and Shorts : Confetti and Vogue V9008
  • Jalie 2802 – Short sleeved dance practice bodyshirt

Comments

  1. Lynn Hutton says

    August 29, 2019 at 9:46 am

    Beakless flamingos? It’s all the rage.
    Great hack, well done, it looks a treat.

    • Evie says

      August 29, 2019 at 10:00 am

      Hahaha!
      Thanks, though….I do like the finished result!

Trackbacks

  1. Stash Stories - new season update - Pendle StitchesPendle Stitches says:
    September 4, 2019 at 10:06 am

    […] made 4 items for Summer, not all of them blogged, but she loves them all and is wearing them as much as she […]

Evie

Looking for something?

Never miss a post!

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts in your inbox.

Topics

blackwood cardigan books craft projects dressmaking embroidery fabric finished objects 2010 finished projects 2011 finished projects 2012 finished projects 2013 finished projects 2014 finished projects 2015 finished projects 2016 finished projects 2017 finished projects 2018 finished projects 2019 finished projects 2020 fitting giveaways hand knitting helens_closet house and garden in the sewing room kcw - spring 2013 kcwc - fall 2012 knitting knitting for men knitting my stash life in a Northern town made by ma! my family and other animals patterns quilting sewing for girls sewing goals 2019 sewinggoals2020 sewing my own clothes sewing my stash sewing with knits sewover50 stash goals 2019 stash stories that bloody wedding! travelling yarn

Recent Posts

  • DIY Teen Blackwood Cardigan – Helen’s Closet
  • DIY Hand Knit Sweater – Tulip by Ririko
  • DIY Dancewear – trousers and a modified Jalie 2803 stretch bodysuit
  • DIY Hello Kitty Patchwork and Embroidery Quilt
  • 13

Disclosure Policy

Occasionally I’ll include affiliate links in my posts.   If you click through and make a  purchase, I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you!  As you’d expect, I only recommend goods or services that I think are awesome and worth sharing.

THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS