lil luxe maxi dress

Lil Luxe Maxi Dress by Jessica Bustos

Fabric:  Tribal Rayon Print ML285945 mixed with fabric from my stash (similar) 

I've been wanting to make Elle a maxi dress for some time now, so I was happy to accept Jessica's invitation to join the Lil Luxe Dress pattern tour even though I technically don't blog anymore.  (I'm in the process of giving the blog a more Tumbler feel).

Have you seen the samples of the Lil Luxe Dress on instagram? Search #lilluxedress, #lilluxemaxidress or #luxemaxidress on IG, you'll be amazed by the many options from this one pattern.  Jessica does a great job on her blog showing the various ways you could use the pattern.  The dress can be dressed up or down .  Elle did not have an immediate need for a "fancy" dress so I opted to sew the maxi version and I'm kind of in love with the final result.  Here's what I did:

*The dress looks a little big because I sewed the size 5 for my 4 year old, so that she can wear it this summer. 

I decided to make a floor length circle skirt instead of gathered skirt included in the pattern tutorial.  I lengthen the circle skirt as per the instructions in the pattern.  I had enough fabric to cut only 1 of the skirts and not the recommended 2.  I'm glad I did, my clumsy girl would have been falling all over the place.

Lil Luxe is offering 20% off the pattern Lil Luxe Dress pattern using coupon code LLDRESSSEWALONG. 

Be sure to check out the other dresses on the tour!

KNOCK IT OFF - GRAPHIC SWEATSHIRT

I'm so excited to participate in Elegance & Elephants "Knock it Off" Series.  It is one of my favorites!  If you are not familiar with the series, the designer is challenged with "knocking off" or recreating a look available in stores.  I was inspired by the huge selection of crew neck sweatshirts with huge graphics popping up in stores and websites recently.  

The Graphic Sweatshirt by farrah-gee featuring a gray top

I was most inspired by the Stella McCartney Billy Sweatshirt (above) that featured the Maleficent creatures.  After seeing the sweatshirt in person and feeling how soft the graphic was, I had to find a way to recreate it.

Obviously, you can get any iron on transfer paper and iron it on a sweatshirt.  But you would end up with a super stiff sweatshirt with a graphic that is sure to fade after the first wash.  After experimenting with a few different brands, I discovered Dharma Trading Co's Super Soft Iron on Transfer paper by complete accident!  I seriously googled "Super Soft Iron on Transfer Paper" and took a chance and ordered it online.

This iron on paper is a dream to work with.  The ink fuses into the garment - not on top like most transfer paper - and the more you wash it, the softer the graphic becomes. I forgot to mention, you can iron over the graphic without ruining your iron!!! The possibilities are endless...

Find or Create a digital image.  Print onto transfer paper.  Press to garment.

UPTOWN/DOWNTOWN DRESS

The Uptown/Downtown Dress is the debut pattern from my  Pattern Workshop classmate Terri of Sew Straight & Gather. The Uptown/Downtown Dress Pattern's simplistic and stylish design is such a quick sew you will definitely sew more than one.  I sewed this one  in a medium weight stripe knit from my stash on the serger in no time.  Keep reading to see how we will transition this dress into fall plus a chance to enter a fab giveaway. 

***Note: I added a 3/4 inch band to the neckline instead of the facing.