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…
October 19, 2014 at 11:04 am
Love this fabric! Definitely needs a simple pattern like this one to let it ‘speak for itself’. I’m so jealous of how you can just pop along to Goldhawk Road and buy wax fabric – almost impossible to get in Australia – except on ebay.
October 19, 2014 at 10:37 pm
Thanks! Waxprint is everywhere in London – I’m in Birmingham but only a train ride away., so can’t complain:)
October 19, 2014 at 11:00 pm
You are so lucky. I wish I had purchased more when I was there last year!
October 19, 2014 at 1:13 pm
I love your new dress, Charlotte! The fabric print is fab and I think it works better with this pattern than with the Anna. It’s the Maya I love the most of the ones I’ve seen so far, I think.
October 19, 2014 at 10:47 pm
Thanks! The waxprint fabrics do have great prints. Made by Meg made a lovely white Maya – I’ve got a craving to make a white dress soon. I’m thinking maybe a white Malvarosa.
October 19, 2014 at 1:45 pm
Great fabric! SSB https://facebook.com/sassysewingbees
October 19, 2014 at 8:13 pm
That fabric looks great, really works with this pattern. I’ll take your advice re TMNT lol!
October 19, 2014 at 10:41 pm
Haha yeah, it was bearable but I won’t be watching it again!
October 19, 2014 at 8:13 pm
The print is really striking. I love how it looks as a dress.
October 20, 2014 at 9:00 am
Gorgeous! Love the fabric and the dress style is perfect for showing it off 🙂
October 20, 2014 at 5:30 pm
Echoing everyone above – beautiful fabric and thought so in the Sew Brum day – it great when you can pick up a descent length and make a couple of items – bring out the third, soon!
October 25, 2014 at 4:50 pm
I love the print placement on this dress!
I hope you don’t mind, but I nominated you for The Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award – feel free to take part or ignore at your own free will! http://astudyinstitching.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-sisterhood-of-world-blogger-award.html
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