How to make a shirred maxi dress: (Looking for more free patterns? Be sure to…
Tiered Chevron Maxi Dress Tutorial
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
(Looking for more free patterns? Be sure to check out my free patterns and tutorials page here.)
I’ve gotta say, I love how this tiered Maxi-Dress turned out! Ever since I finished the little chevron dress I made for my daughter, I’ve wanted to make one for myself. The design of this maxi is really a combination of my boho maxi dress and the sweet summer sundress.
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I picked up this pink chevron knit from girl charlie a few months ago and finally got around to putting the dress together. A dress like this is really easy to make, no patterns to cut out, just a few measurements and a few straight cuts. (and multiple fittings, ha!)
(Hubby has been chopping up a dead tree in the background. It doesn’t make for the prettiest photos, but it was one of the few spots left in the yard where I could get a tiny bit of sunlight and not be seen by people driving by…)
Would you like to make a Maxi Dress for yourself? Here are the instructions:
Materials needed for the Tiered Maxi Dress
- +/- 3 yards of 54+ inch wide knit fabric
- 1/2 inch elastic
- ball point needle (a walking foot helps too)
- ruler, scissors, measuring tape
- basic sewing supplies
Step 1: Get measurements and cut fabric.
Measuring:
Measurement A: For the length of the bodice, measure from your armpit to where you want the bodice to end. Add 2.25 inches to this measurement.
Measurement B: For the width of the bodice: measure around the fullest part of your bust. Add 4 inches to this measurement.
Measurement C: For the main tier length, measure from where the bodice will end to where you want the dress to end. Add 1.5 inches to this measurement.
Measurement D: (you might want to wait to take this measurement until you have put most of the dress together) Measure from the bottom of the 2nd tier to where you want the dress to end. If you are planning to hem the dress, add .75 inches, if not, only add .25 inches to the measurement.
Cutting:
Cut the bodice to measurement A by measurement B.
Cut main skirt tier according to the diagram below. (Cut 2 pieces)
2nd tier: I recommend waiting to cut this piece until you are ready to attach it.
Step 2: Assembling the bodice and main tier:
Right sides together sew the side seam of the bodice together. No need to finish the seams today since we are working with knit fabric.
To create the top casing, fold the top edge of the bodice over 1 inch. Sew around the top, 5/8 inch from the edge. Leave a 1.5 inch opening to slide the elastic through.
Right sides together, sew the side seams of the main skirt tier together.
Step 3: Add the middle/waistline casing:
Line up the bottom of the bodice and the top of the main tier, right sides together.
Sew around the skirt/bodice 1 inch from the edge.
Open up the skirt and bodice (right side facing down.) Fold the 1 inch seam alowance over so it faces up (toward the bodice.)
Sew along the raw edge of the seam allowance, 3/8 inch inch from the edge. (This creates the casing.)
Don’t forget to leave an opening to slide the elastic in.
How the casing looks from the front:
Step 4: Measure, cut and add the elastic.
Measure above your bust-line, right under the armpit. Subtract 1 inch and cut a piece of elastic to this measurement, use a saftey pin to thread the elastic through the top casing and secure ends together with the saftey pin.
Measure around waistline (the point where the bodice and skirt come together.) Subtract 1 inch and cut a piece of elastic to this measurement, use a saftey pin to thread the elastic through the top casing and secure ends together with the saftey pin. (This is it for now, we will make final adjustments after the bottom tier is added.)
Step 5: Measure, cut and add final tier.
Try on the dress and get measurement D. (From step 1.)
Cut the final tier to measurement D by 90 inches wide. (You may need to piece together 2 pieces to get this width.)
Gather the top edge of the 2nd tier and attach to the 1st tier. (If you need help gathering see the instructions in step 3 of my sweet spring sundress tutorial.)
If desired, finish this seam edge with a serger or zig zag on a regular sewing machine. Press the seam allowance up and top-stitch along the edge.
Step 6: Final adjustments.
Try on the dress and make adjustments as needed to the elastic. (The final tier adds weight to the dress so you may need to tighten the elastic.)
Use a tight zig zag stitch and sew the edges of the elastic together. Trim any excess and close the casings. Make sure the fabric is evenly distribute along the elastic and then make a st right stitch through the elastic at the side seams. (This will keep the elastic from shifting too much.)
Hem the Bottom tier if desired.
You’re done!
My Mom thinks I can ditch the sweater, but I’m not so sure… (Those were her exact words, ha ha.) I do plan on hemming the dress one inch. I haven’t gotten to that yet, I have to change out all the threads on my cover stitch machine, which is a pain. (Unless I want a turquoise hem…)
Let me know if you make one! You can share your pictures and links on my facebook page or in my flickr group.
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Diana - FreeStyleMama says
So pretty! I love it!
The Graceful Rose says
cute! I have the same fabric in mustard and was looking for some ideas as to what to make with it. Thanks for some inspiration 🙂
amy mayen says
I love the dress..and always love your photos!!
elisabethandree says
Lovely dress and fabric! Thanks so much for sharing your tutorial:)
LiMiTed Edition says
I love the dress! Thanks for sharing!
Michele Reynolds says
Your dress is super cute! Love the maxi"s and your photo with the hat is like a vintage throwback:) Pinned! Stop over. I just posted DIY Doily Jacket:)
Mabey She Made It says
Great job! I l really like the ruffle at the bottom. Your photo style is gorgeous as well!
Anne Weaver says
Gorgeous!! I linked to your tutorial on Craft Gossip. Here's the post:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-strapless-maxi-dress-with-deep-ruffle-hem/2013/07/30/
–Anne
My name is Rita says
Gorgeous dress! Thanks for the tutorial. If you get a chance, please link up to my link party: http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/07/sunday-linky-18.html
Gina Wamsley says
Wow! The dress SO pretty and you look so good in it! I want one! Thanks for showing how you did it!
Gina @ Gina's Craft Corner
Mandy Beyeler says
Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at SugarBeeCrafts.com – you were featured today!!
–Mandy, Sugar Bee Crafts
Vague says
Love the Chevron design because the stripes go up and down and not left to right (makes everyone look wider!). I'll pass this on to a friend who sews. Maybe I can get her to make one for me. 😀
Have a wonderful day!
Jodi Stuber says
what a fun summer dress 🙂 stopping from one artsy mama
Keikilani Jackson says
Gorgeous! Stopping by from All My Good Things!
Justine of SewCountryChick says
This is beautiful on you, and yes it looks great without the sweater!
Melanie {Reasons To Skip The Housework} says
This is super cute! I'm not a sewer but think I can make this! Thank you for linking up at The Weekly Creative! I've pinned this! I think you should also submit this over at my other site, http://www.theinspiraiton-network.com – it's super inspiring for non-sewers!
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework and The Inspiration Network
Kayla Janachovsky says
What a great DIY! I can never find maxi dresses long enough for me, so I should just make them myself! I'd love for you to link up to The DIY'ers! http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-diyers-and-my-new-rug.html
TeawithFrodo says
I have a question about the pattern. For the skirt shouldn't it be measurement B and B+5 (you'd want the width for the skirt and not the bodice height.
Alderberry Hill says
So, so, so nice…maxi dresses are so comfy…they have been my go to item of the summer. Love the pattern & color of this one!
Rocking Bird says
I really really like this, and you look lovely in it. I say ditch the sweater too! 🙂
tobemeis2bfree says
This pattern is super cute!!! Love it
Sara Chance says
Love this Jamie! I'm going to try it ASAP, but quick question. Are there any modifications you would make if you were making a maternity maxi dress?? I really have no idea what if anything should be done. I am only ab 3 mos + right now, but would like to start wearing as soon as I make it, and ideally would like to keep wearing it through at least most of the pregnancy. Thoughts?
Jamie says
I would add (I'm guessing here) 4 to 5 extra inches in width to the front panel of the skirt (top and bottom). You will need to gather this skirt panel so it is the same width as the bodice panel. I would even arrange the gathers so they were more to the middle, rather that on the sides. (see photo image) You will also need to add few inches to the front bottom tier width since the top tier is wider. You may need to add length to the bottom tier, since your belly will grow and it will make the skirt shorter. But its a maxi, so maybe that won't matter. Image, paste into your adress bar: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZMT8_TVozM/VUoeDqQuPNI/AAAAAAAAfjY/DXLzQyzEnIU/s1600/gathers.jpg
Good luck,
Jamie
Sara Chance says
Thank you! I will try to let you know how it goes. 🙂 I am petite, 5'4, so I'm going to have to see if I can do it but not let it swallow me whole. However this is baby #3 & I'm already popping out so as long as I can wear it thru the summer, I will be happy!
Tiffany says
did you use any boning?
i am looking for a strapless dress pattern like thing with no boning for a school assessment
Jamie says
NO boning – I just wore a strapless bra.