I hadn’t worn maxi dresses since I was about 8 years old (oh, the seventies!) but after making this one and wearing it on Boxing Day there will definitely be another one (or two) in my future.

The pattern is Simplicity 2219, in view D and the fabric a missoni-esque knit from Spotlight (still current stock).  It’s smooth and slippery and swirls beautifully around my legs when I walk.  I made a straight size 12, other than the length. I shortened the skirt around five inches in total at three equally spaced points rather than just chopping it off at the bottom in order to keep width at the hem.  I left the hem edge raw.

The bodice is fully lined, and there is a full back which works well with a racerback or cross back bra, although I did have a problem with bra exposure at the armhole in the front. You can see the edge of my bra at the point where the front yokes and bodice sides meet. I did try on the lining before constructing the outer bodice and it seemed okay, but once it was all made and I tried on the finished dress I knew that I would have to be careful with my choice of bra. I haven’t found this mentioned as a problem in any of the reviews I have read; maybe it’s more to do with my choice of underwear as I am getting older (ie big underwear that hopefully covers and smooths – rather than skimpy and/or lacy)!

This dress wasn’t difficult or particularly time consuming to construct, although there was a fair bit of gathering with the front side bodice pieces and the centre of the front and back skirts. It slips on over my head and feels lovely to wear. And I feel fashionable in it. Hooray!