The perfect simple knit maxi dress and #OOTD book review

The perfect simple knit maxi dress and #OOTD book review

• 5.24.2016

There's a new garment sewing book out from the publisher of my book, C&T Publishing. #OOTD (Outfit of the Day) Sew & Style: Make Your Dream Wardrobe with Angela is a fantastic overview book about sewing, fabric, and design with handful of basic, customize-able patterns included. Having just spent some time sewing with less-experienced friends, I could immediately tell flipping through this book that this content is needed and valuable for anyone looking to learn to sew!

I tried out the basic skater dress bodice pattern and made a few modifications, like Angela suggests! Each of the styles can be modified with her instructions and the techniques explained earlier in the book.

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The book covers all kinds of basics for new sewists - fabric contents and types, notions, common sewing terms... then Chapter 2 includes info on how to use patterns as well as basic techniques (sewing curved seams, making casings, setting in sleeves, etc.) which are used and referenced later on in the book. Angela also talks about designing, sketching, fitting, and cutting out custom clothes (there are five basic patterns that she shows you how to modify into several styles). I love the fun colors and fabrics Angela used in her garments (she worked with Fabric.com for the fabric, and they also sent me this navy knit to try out the pattern from the book!) and the step-by-step photos of the projects are excellent!

I used the basic skater dress pattern bodice without the sleeves (I cut extra binding for the armholes) and a maxi skirt with a side slit for some interest.

This knit was a dream to work with! It's the Riley Blake Cotton Jersey Knit Solid Navy, by the way. It's the absolute perfect weight for a dress or top and is so soft and easy to handle while sewing, too!

Maxis are just perfect this time of year when it goes from warm to cool throughout the day. And I don't know about you, but I'm getting pretty tired of wearing restrictive jeans or pants to work every day. This dress paired with a jacket works for work or weekend errands, like I did last weekend in it!

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning to sew clothing, definitely check out  #OOTD (Outfit of the Day) Sew & Style: Make Your Dream Wardrobe with Angela! I've linked it as well as some of my pieces/similar pieces below.