Sail Away Maxi Dress Tutorial

So, my new maxi dress didn't ACTUALLY sail away, but she and I sure wanted to!!  It was a gorgeous day in Annapolis out on the harbor! 

Recently I found a tutorial for a draped maxi dress.  I wasn't real sure about it but my husband thought I should give it a try.  Pretty sure it looked better on her than me :) I began using her tutorial, but I changed so much of it that it's really not even similar.  Here's what I did.  Sorry for the lack of photos.  Since I began following a tutorial I didn't see a need to do that.   

Materials needed:

1 1/2 -2 yards of jersey knit cotton (or any flowy fabric--does NOT have to be stretchy)

matching thread

measuring tape

Take some measurements! 

Measure from one shoulder across to the other shoulder.

We'll call it x. 

x +7" /2 = y

Now determine how long you want your dress.  Measure from the top of your shoulders to...wherever. :) This will be L.  Fold your fabric and cut two pieces that measure Y by L.  If you prefer a larger circumference at the bottom of the dress (ease in walking), you'll want to cut 2 pieces that are more of an A-line shape as apposed to a rectangle.  Slanting from the top to the bottom

***NOTE***

To get an idea of how wide you want the skirt of your dress, take a step that would be as long as you might walk, then measure how long that is. Mine is roughly 32" so I would double that to get my skirt circumference.

With right sides together pin down each long side.  Measure from the top of your shoulder to under your arm.  Add a half inch for ease.  If you underarm measurement is 10", then make a mark on each side of the dress that is 10" down from the top corner.  Sew down each side starting at the 10" mark you made.

Creating your shoulder straps

Measure in 2" from each outside corner along the top of your dress.  You'll be sewing a seam that is 1 1/2" long.  You'll begin sewing at the 2" mark and sew in towards the nexk.  Do this on both sides. 

Cut 3 3" wide ruffles that are twice as long as the circumference of the bottom of your dress.  To create my ruffles, I ran a basting stitch down the CENTER of each ruffle strip, then gathered each strip until it matched the circumference of the dress bottom.  Pin the ruffles to the dress.  Sew in place by sewing over top of the same basting stitch.  This creates a double layer ruffle. 

At this point, the dress is basically done.  If you want to fit it a bit more to your body, try it on inside out and pin along the contours of your body.  Sew along the lines of your pins.

I LOVE the split sleeve that is created on this dress!  I've gotten more compliments on that part of the dress than anything else.  I purchased a scarf at Walmart for $5 and tied it around my hips.  The fabric I purchased up in Amish Country for $2.99 a yd.  All together I spent $11 on this dress.

What do you think?  This dress is waaaay comfortable!