At first glance, I laughed at this pattern. This top didn’t even look flattering on one of the envelope models! However, this post at MadebyLaQuana sold me on it. Please DO click that link to see what this pattern can look like when done well!

Often, empire-type waistlines work well for me, and I was excited to read that this top gave that feel. Comparing my measurements to the pattern, I decided to do the XXL. I can sew, honest, I can...but you sure can't tell looking at my result! Let's talk about what went right, first.

I do. And so do you. The first-person format is because I want each of you to read this as an affirmation. Most of us are pretty darned comfortable saying "you deserve nice things"...how often do we say "I deserve nice things"? Let's talk about that, and then try an experiment over the weekend.

Pattern: heavily modified Vogue 9112
Fabric: www.ankaramalkia.com
Success in making a tent dress depends on choosing great fabric.  Find a fabric you love.

A few months ago, after I'd spent my fabric allowance for the month, Mrs. Roni Gordon posted this gorgeous bit of shimmery gold/purple Ankara. I needed it. Needed it enough to cut into the food budget for a few weeks. The large bold design called for a maxi dress, and the only real decision was what *kind* of maxi dress?

After a tragic disappointment with another pattern, I needed something to pick me up. This asymmetrical pattern was exactly the thing. No two pieces are alike, and there are interesting curves and a forgiving silhouette. It's a 3D puzzle in fabric. An easy one, if you take it step-by-step.

Stumbling across Ankara fabric last year changed my life. The large-scale designs, the brilliant colors, the vibrant Ankara sewing community...I was hooked. 

Ankara is generally a cotton fabric, dyed using a wax process. The resulting fabric is nearly identical on both sides. It's a versatile, medium-weight woven that resists wrinkling and is pleasant to sew and comfortable to wear. What's not to love?

Vogue 1297 is an excellent pattern for Apples. It looks fabulous in striped fabric, thanks to the giant pockets set at a slimming angle. It's also surprisingly easy to make, even when you're working with an older sewing machine like I do!

My first version of this dress was made with a substantial brick-red striped knit. It's not a scuba knit, but it is almost that substantial. I do think you could get away with a medium-weight knit. Anything too light might not skim over you as flatteringly (no surprise to most of us). The minor wubble in the front-facing pic is my not-very layerable shirt scrunching!

Awesome

• pockets
• flattering drape
• fast/easy/professional look

Did I mention it has pockets? The pockets and dress never fail to get compliments, from people wanting to know where I got it. No one has ever asked if I made it. That means a lot to me! There is no need to match the stripes, so this really does cut and sew quickly. The thin piece at the neck was the only piece I paid close attention to lining up.

Not As Awesome

• knits only (really)
• best for stripes/solids

The second version of this dress, I decided to use a woven fabric, and put an exposed zipper in the back. The print on the second fabric was not striped. It was a small, busy print, and it came from the quilting section, which isn't "bad", just lighter weight than my knit. Please note that at this point, I'm not using the pattern envelope's recommended fabric, and the fabric's print is not like either shown on the envelope. The result was not flattering. I will definitely be making this dress again, in stripes or solids!