I love this time of year, but Autumn/Winter is very inconvenient for bloggers. It’s dark when I leave and when I return home in the week so I had a few completed items I needed to photograph this weekend while I had the chance.

This is the Maya Dress, the first pattern release by Marilla Walker. This pattern includes lots of different options (top, tunic, dress, button-up front) so you get plenty of pattern for the purchase price. Prior to the SewBrum meet-up I had decided that I wasn’t going to try and make anything new to wear for the meet-up as I was really busy & didn’t need the stress of trying to rush a new outfit. Then the night before I changed my mind and decided to make a Maya dress! Given that my time was limited I went with the simple, plain front , dress variation despite being a massive fan of Marilla’s button-front versions. I cut a size 8, the smallest size.

Due to the limited time I had to make this dress, and (more so) wanting to finish it sat on the sofa in front of the tv, I skipped the facings and instead slip-stitched the neckline, sleeves and hem by hand. The pattern includes a sash belt but I instead paired it with this skinny belt which was my Nan’s, which she gifted to me. The Maya is designed for a loose fit but I might take a little out of the side seams next time to slightly reduce the excess fabric.

This fabric is a President Holland brand waxprint purchased from the Goldhawk Road. I bought this fabric as a pre-cut length and have already made an Anna dress out of it. I still have quite a bit left so It might be showing up for a third time!

This dress has already been getting quite a bit of wear. So much so that it was still drying on the airer on Saturday morning when I was about to take these photos – so I wore it slightly damp for the photos, urgh! I needed to get the pictures in the morning as me and Phil were then heading out to see the new TMNT movie – as a massive fan age 7-8, who used to wear a plastic shell & bandanna it had to be done.

So, I would totally recommend the Maya pattern as a lovely quick make, with loads of opportunity for customisation.  I would not recommend the new TMNT movie…