Maxi dress season, greeted with black and white patterned knit

Maxi dress season, greeted with black and white patterned knit

• 4.11.2014

It's my first maxi dress of the year - that must mean it's getting closer to summer!

Just finished this black and white patterned knit maxi dress, from a fave pattern from last summer (see also here and here) - Simplicity 1801, Cynthia Rowley. This funky modern-ey black and white print seemed like a good transitional fabric for a springy/early summery versatile dress!

This is one of several recent knit projects. This one was definitely the trickiest because the pattern isn't printed carefully on the grain of the fabric, and the grain isn't straight, either (neither was the selvage, aack)! But hey, dresses with no zippers are fast and simple and easy to wear, too.

(See my Sewing Circle post on how to sew on knits--and since then I've learned how helpful a walking foot is, too; it takes the strain/pull off the fabric as you sew.)

I love the gathers at the shoulders and above the midriff panel in the back as well as the front. Adds to the comfiness and is pretty!

Because I was a little short on fabric, I cut the skirt panels narrower than I was supposed to but it's still plenty full  for comfort, movement, walking... good to know if you ever make it and have a tough time fitting the pattern in!

P.S. I can't get my little remote to work with my new camera. Can you tell? #excusetheblur ;)

Anyone else embracing black/white for spring?!