Maternity Maxi Dress Tutorial

Today I have a maternity project for you! I hardly ever sew for myself, much less when I’m pregnant! But this week for The Sew Off, I had to make something for myself. I might have to start more often because this dress cost me less than $10!!! The voting has started, so make sure to stop by and vote for your two favorites! This would also TOTALLY work if you are not pregnant!

Maxi Dress Tutorial

I love the lace details on the shoulders… that is my favorite part! I bought that lace at a thrift shop for like .75 cents! I have been holding on to it forever

I don’t have very many pictures of me wearing it because well, as much as I LOVE my husband, photography just isn’t his thing, lol. All the shots contained my head directly in the center with my feet chopped off and all kinds of out of focus. But I still love him anyways : ) This was the best we did….

Let’s take a look at some of the details, then I will show you how I made this super duper easy dress!

I didn’t actually take pictures of the process, but I think the diagram below will actually be easier for you to understand anyways.

Supplies: 

– amount of fabric depends on your size (see number 1 below the diagram on how I figured out my measurements)
– Lace trim of your choice. (enough to wrap around your waist, and add to the shoulders)
– Sewing machine, thread, and scissors
– Sewing needle for Knit Fabrics

IF YOU AREN’T PREGNANT – this totally would work for you too! See my note at the the bottom of the instructions on what to do to help compensate for your bump!

See the diagram for the basic steps to creating the shape of the dress. See below the diagram for details on how to complete the step.
Please note: This is not an EXACT Pattern, but instructions how to create the basic shape of the dress. Every person will be different based on size.  Determining the size of fabric will be up to you and your measurements. 

I was inspired by this Maxi Dress from See Cate Create.

 1. First you are going to take your approx 2 1/2 yards of fabric (you may need to adjust according to your size) I was able to use the width of the fabric and just fold it in half long ways. If you need more to go around you, you might need to increase your yardage. I basically just held this up to me when I was measuring. It should be quite a bit wider than you since we will be tying a belt around to cinch it up. To measure the length make sure when folded in half it comes up to at least your shoulder. So let’s say from your shoulder to the floor measures 5 feet. You would want your fabric to be 10 feet long. If you are shorter you will need less, taller – more.

So before you get started you should have a long rectangle that is twice the height you want your dress, and big enough to fit around you loosely. (see diagram 1)

2. Now you are going to fold it in half right sides together and sew along both the long sides of the fabric using either a stretch stitch or a zig zag stitch.  (diagram 2)

3. Next we will cut out for our armholes. I measured from the top of my shoulder to approx where you want the bottom of the armhole to stop. Mine was about 10 inches, but yours may be different. (diagram 3)

4. For the neckline find the center of your fold and cut one straight slit however far do you want it to go. Mine ended up being about 7 – 8 inches. It’s better to cut it shorter and try it on and figure out exactly where it will fall. (diagram 4)

NOTE (for maternity dress): I didn’t have problems with my dress hiking up in the front from my preggo belly, but I’m only about 25 weeks here, if you are farther along with a larger bump, you may way to to do the following to help with the “hiking”. Just simply make a rounded bottom on the front panel of the dress. So it will end up being a little longer in the front than the back.

Adding Lace Details

To add the lace details I just top stitched the lace onto the top of the shoulder area of the dress. Super simple! Then I just cut a piece long enough to tie a bow around the top of my bump. More easiness! My lace was a cotton crochet type of lace, just FYI. But you could use ribbon or even make a sash, totally up to you!

So there you have it. A simple maternity maxi dress that you can make in an afternoon!