Hey Guys! I know, it’s been a while! Today I want to share with you all the Paloma Maxi Dress I recently pattern tested for Studio Calicot. I’m always excited to see their tester call outs in my inbox. I think their patterns are so cool and on trend. They are also, usually, pretty simple to make.
Paloma Maxi Dress
Let’s get right into this dress! As soon as I saw it, I knew I needed to make this dress! This maxi dress is right up my ally and fits right in with my work from home wardrobe. Maxi dresses can so flattering, but my issues has always been that they are made for tall women. By tall I mean just about every other woman out there since I’m only 5’2″. It doesn’t really take much to be taller than me.
The other issue is that I always felt like there was always way too much fabric. I can honestly feel like I didn’t feel that way in the Paloma Maxi Dress. The obvious reason is that I can now sew one to my measurements to ensure I have a good fit. Also, I can adjust the length so it’s not dragging on the ground. The Paloma Maxi Dress is also designed to be above ankle length. Most maxi dresses are floor length.
Fit + Fabric
The Paloma Maxi Dress has the following features which I love:
- Tapered fit
- Batwing sleeves
- High neck
- Teardrop opening
- Side pockets
- Side slits
- Adapted for thick knits
- Ribbed trims
I made a size 12 based on my body measurements. The only modification I made for the fit was removed 12 inches for the length. I used the hip line markings on the pattern was my guide and I folded up the pattern by the amount I wanted to take off. Removing the length from the pattern this way keeps the pattern shape intact since the bottom of the pattern is tapered and I didn’t want to distort the pattern design. Other than that, I made it just as instructed.
For the fabric, I chose to shop my stash, well because, I have so much fabric! The pattern calls for a thicker knit of some sort. Well, I purchased this fabric many years ago from Joanns that I used to make this dress. Since I had enough fabric left over for this project, I decided to use it.
I must be honest. I was not feeling this dress when I finished making it. I thought, OMG, I’m going to look like a giant gold disco ball! It wasn’t until I put it on and started styling it, that I was like, OK, I’m feeling this. I love that I can just throw on a waist bag and some sneakers and go. Gold disco ball maxi dress, but make it fashion!
So, what do I like about this dress? It has pockets!!! Who doesn’t love a dress with pockets?! I also love the side split with the ribbed hem. Can’t say I’ve seen a maxi dress with a ribbed hem. If you are digging my Paloma Maxi Dress you can pick it up from Studio Calicot HERE.
Until next time,
Johanna
