Make Anda a Crisscross Maxi Dress (7095 Views)

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  Step 1 of 23

  This was my drawing of what I wanted the final dress to look like. The following how-to is my adventure in getting there.

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  Step 2 of 23

  Cut your Anda pattern front and back along the casing line. I have a very low bust point so this line is perfect for an Empire waist on me, for most of you it will be slightly lower.

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  Step 3 of 23

  Tape some of the little scraps from cutting out the Anda pattern onto the area you just cut. Measure 1/2 inch down(up on the skirt pieces) from the cutting line and mark a series of dots. Connect the dots into a line. This is your new seam allowance.

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  Step 4 of 23

  Repeat the seam allowance adding process to all four front and back pieces.

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  Step 5 of 23

  Take your resulting front bodice piece to the mirror with a tape measure. Hold the piece up to where it should sit after sewing. Measure from the neckline to where you'd like the two front pieces to overlap. I wanted a pretty modest neckline so my measurement was 4.5 inches. Due to seam allowance this point will be slightly lower in the finished project.

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  Step 6 of 23

  I measured 4.5 inches from the neckline and marked it as the crossover point.

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  Step 7 of 23

  Draw a diagonal line from the shoulder seam to the point you just marked.

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  Step 8 of 23

  Make a copy of the bodice piece using scrap paper.

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  Step 9 of 23

  Tape the copy to the original along the center line. Continue the diagonal line you drew to the bottom. Cut along your diagonal line.

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  Step 10 of 23

  Marvel at your new bodice piece!

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  Step 11 of 23

  Cut out your fabric. Omit the ribbon and cut the two casing pieces 2 sizes bigger than necessary. To lengthen the skirt I measured 12 inches down from the hemline following the diagonal of the skirt. I marked this line at various points along the fabric and then cut along that line. I'm 5 foot 10 inches so modify your length accordingly.

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  Step 12 of 23

  Discover that the material you picked out was slightly see through and that you have nothing in your stash long enough to line the dress with. Rush over to Wally World and vow not to spend more than $2 a yard for a lining material.

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  Step 13 of 23

  Having succeeded in your Walmart trip, cut out your lining. If your material is not slightly see through, you need only line the bodice. I lined my skirt as well.

  On the outside of your front bodice lining pieces, mark the center point with tracing paper or disappearing ink.

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  Step 14 of 23

  Sew front and back bodice lining to dress along necklines and along the sides. Turn right side out and press.

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  Step 15 of 23

  Sew the shoulder seams together using french seams. So the bodice will have no raw edges when finished.

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  Step 16 of 23

  Sew the side seam together with a very narrow seam.

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  Step 17 of 23

  If you want to sew trim along the neckline do so now (don't make my mistake and do it later!). Then match center bodice marks on your front pieces. Pin and sew together.

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  Step 18 of 23

  French Seam skirt and skirt lining (if using).

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  Step 19 of 23

  Baste skirt lining to skirt. Then sew bodice to skirt. Trim seam allowances to 1/4 inch. Press seam allowances down.

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  Step 20 of 23

  Press casings as described in Anda instructions. Sew the casings together along one end and trim allowance. Pin the side seam of the casing to the inside side seam of the dress following the seam allowance at the waist. Leave open at opposite side seam. Stitch the casing to inside of the dress by following seam line on front (stitching in the ditch) and the sewing the bottom down along the skirt. Thread elastic through casing and sew elastic ends together. Lap loose casing pieces at the side seam folding the ends under and sew down. The inside will look like the picture.

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  Step 21 of 23

  Hem skirt and lining if using. Make an obi belt or alternatively use thick ribbon to tie at waist. Here's what the finished bodice looked like. I decided not to gather at the shoulders as in my original drawing, but I got pretty close!

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  Step 22 of 23

  Survey the mess in your sewing room from looking through your fabric stash and not cleaning up between steps. Sigh, put on your new dress and clean up in style!

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  Step 23 of 23

  The finished result!