I’ve been wanting to make the Cashmerette Appleton for quite a while now and seeing Gillian’s lovely maxi version made me want to make it a maxi dress. I love Cashmerette patterns. As a curvy plus sized person, having cup options is a freaking miracle! I also really wanted to make a maxi dress. After making my first one using the Upton dress last year, I knew that I would definitely be using another Cashmerette dress. Back in December, the Toronto Sewcialists had a holiday party (hosted by the lovely Hil) and we did a fabric exchange in which I procured 4 yards of this beautiful tropical fabric:
I fell in love. All I was waiting for to make my Appleton maxi was the perfect fabric. I’m not sure of the content or type of fabric this is. It’s a 4 way stretch and has a lovely drape. It feels to me like crepe jersey or viscose.
The Appleton pattern is really lovely to make. The instructions are easy to follow and everything goes together really quick. I added about 9.5 inches to the length of the dress. There are lengthen/shorten lines in the pattern so it was a really simple alteration.
I usually make a 22 G/H graded to a 24 at the waist for Cashmerette patterns. My measurements are 51-46-56. However, for more ease in the hips and more bust coverage, I chose to make a 24 G/H graded to 28 at the hips. It fits perfectly and the extra ease in the hips works really beautifully with the drape of the fabric. The only addition I made to the pattern was to add sleeve bands since I hate hemming sleeves. I serged the skirt hem since I may have been better adding a couple more inches to the hem and to get the maxi length the hem couldn’t lose any length. Works for my lazy seamstress ways! 😉
The entire dress was made using my serger except for the hem of the skirt fronts and finishing the tie opening at the side.
The verdict is that I adore the dress! It fits me so well and is such a great shape on me. I am not sure why I hesitated so long on making this dress! It just really needed the perfect fabric and I definitely found it. Now I need to go on a tropical cruise!
Check out my blog for more pictures
Nice job on this very popular pattern — that fabric is amazing. Looks very summerish and festive.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Melanie! 😀
LikeLike
That’s amazing! Beautiful fabric and so flattering!! Well done!
LikeLike
Thank you so much! ❤
LikeLike
I love the fabric you picked – looks great!
LikeLike
Thank you! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your maxi version of the Appleton. You’ve shown of this fabulous fabric to best effect!
LikeLike
Thank you so much. 😀 The fabric rocks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s fabulous! I have this pattern but I’m yet to get round to it, a maxi version seems like a fabulous idea! 😁
LikeLike
Thanks so much! I hope you get around to making the pattern. It really is awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am definitely going to. I also looked in to Gillian’s version of it and I really am sold. It’s going to be the next thing I cut out. I have a blue, patterned jersey ready to go!
LikeLike
I can’t wait to see it! 😀 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you like pina coladas…It’s beautiful Andie! What a cool fabric, and the pattern shows it to its full glory. You really nailed the fit too. Jenny’s patterns I swear are magical–they look so great on everyone!
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! And yeah these patterns are for sure magical! 🙂
LikeLike
Well done – you look fabulous in this! It’s so good to see pattern makers like Cashmerette who are actually making the plus size patterns. Great work on making it into a maxi. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Miriam! 🙂
LikeLike
Love it!
LikeLike
Thanks, Nikki! 🙂
LikeLike
Love your dress.
LikeLike
Thank you so much!
LikeLike
Stunning job. Great fabric and pattern combo and it looks beautiful on you. I just love how you can tell in all the photos how happy you are with this dress. Isn’t it just great when you make something you adore?!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Naomi! 🙂 I am really happy with the dress. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so gorgeous and I love the fabric and fit! I’m about to make my Mom one and convert it to a maxi. Do you mind telling me how much you added to make it longer? I measured her from the back of her neck to her feet, but I am worried if I make it just that long and then she puts it on, it will be too short.
LikeLike
Thanks so much! 🙂
I added 9.5 inches, but I am 5’4″. I could have also added two more. I measured from the back to my feet and definitely needed a few more than that. So it’s probably better to just add a bit more.
LikeLike
Wonderful! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person