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Observer Fabric Maxi Dress

September 13, 2016 · Delia 18 Comments

Hey-o! Have you checked out April Rhode’s latest fabric line from Art Gallery Fabrics? It’s called Observer and it’s completely gorgeous!

Observer Fabric Maxi Dress // www.deliacreates.com

It has a navy theme to it, which is totally on trend this Fall. It’s a bit hipster, but also classically beautiful. With Shibori like prints, paint flecked fabric, and other art technique inspired designs…I’m in love. April is simply a creative genius with textile design.

Observer Fabric Maxi Dress // www.deliacreates.com

And I’m so happy that she has stuck with Art Gallery to host her fabric lines because, without hesitation, Art Gallery Fabrics hits the top of my favorite fabrics list. Anything that I have made with Art Gallery Fabric, especially their knits, has held up the best and felt the softest out of most things I’ve sewn. I am genuinely a huge fan.

Observer Fabric Maxi Dress // www.deliacreates.com

April originally reached out to me about being on her tour at the beginning of summer when we were having the most winter/autumn like summer I have ever experienced. This turned out to be a great thing because I was in Fall weather mindset enough to choose to sew this maxi and order enough fabric for it (3 yards).

Observer Fabric Maxi Dress // www.deliacreates.com april-rhodes-maxi-dress-25-of-420912

Mind you, by the time I was sewing it, summer had arrived in earnest and I was questioning whether I was going to be able to get through pictures without sweating right through it. Ha! But, my slow track, procrastination sewing habits paid off for once, and by the time we finally got to pictures, our brief heat wave had ended. I was actually almost too cold in these pictures. The scarf was definitely a necessity. (Free crochet pattern found HERE)

Observer Fabric Maxi Dress // www.deliacreates.com

I say slow track sewing but what it really is, is slow track blogging. I haven’t blogged probably the last 5-6 things I’ve sewn. GASP! I know! As a blogger, it feels wildly impractical to not blog everything creative I do, but I think the rebel factor is what has made it feel so fun. Just call me Billy Idol….in a maxi dress. Pfffft. 😉

Observer Fabric Maxi Dress // www.deliacreates.com

And boy do I love a good maxi dress. They are just SO comfy! Plus, the little girl in me likes the princess at the ball feeling they evoke.

Observer Fabric Maxi Dress // www.deliacreates.com

I decided to use Kitschy Coo’s Lady Skater pattern for this dress. The fit is perfection and it’s such a satisfying sew.

One change I made, was to add some 3/4 inch elastic to the waist band instead of clear elastic. I used almost two yards of 60 inch wide fabric in just the skirt portion alone, so it needed a little extra lift to keep it from sagging from the weight of the skirt.

Fun fact, it is exactly three years ago today that I first reviewed this pattern. I swear up and down, that was not planned at all, but it’s a fun flashback coincidence.

Observer Fabric Maxi Dress // www.deliacreates.com

The fabric I chose is called “Mesh with me worn” in knit. The scale on this design is just right for an almost head to toe garment.

I think this dress would pair really well with a blazer or cardigan for even warmer look. I kept the styling simple for these pictures so you could really see the dress and this pretty fabric!

Observer Fabric Maxi Dress // www.deliacreates.com

To see more projects sewed up in April’s Observer line, check out her blog or hop onto social media and check out the hashtags:

#observerfabrics and #observerfabrictour

 Here’s a link to the rest of the tour as well!

  • August 30th – I Love You Sew – IG – @loveyousew_
  • August 31st – Fancy Tiger – IG – @fancytigercrafts
  • September 1st – Suzy Quilts – IG – @suzyquilts
  • September 2nd – Cotton Bottom Designs – IG – @CottonBottomDesigns
  • September 6th – The Tattooed Quilter – IG – @the_tattooed_quilter
  • September 9th – Ginger Peach – IG – @jennrossotti
  • September 12th – Giucy Giuce – IG – @giucy_giuce
  • September 13th  – Delia Creates – IG – @deliacreates
  • September 14th – Very Shannon – IG – @soveryshannon
  • September 15th – See Kate Sew – IG – @seekatesew
  • September 16th – Sweet Littles Handmade – IG – @sweetlittleshandmade
  • September 19th – Kid Giddy – IG – @kidgiddy
  • September 20th – Holly Gets Quilty – IG – @hollygetsquilty
  • September 22nd – Christine Haynes – IG – @christinehaynes
  • September 23rd – Made by Rae – IG – @madebyrae
  • September 26th – Noodle Head – IG – @noodlehead531
  • September 27th – Finch Knitting + Sewing Studio – IG – @finchknittingandsewingstudio
  • September 28th – The Sara Project – IG – @thesaraproject_
  • September 29th – My Sweet Sunshine – IG – @mysweetsunshine
  • September 30th – Colette – IG – @ColettePatterns
  • October 3rd – Closet Case Files – IG – @closetcasefiles
  • October 4th – Sari Ditty – IG – @sariditty
  • October 5th – Jen Anderson – IG – @littlewifepowerhouse

Disclaimer: This fabric was provided to me for this blog tour.  All opinions and content are genuinely and authentically my own. I sincerely have much love for April, The Lady Skater Pattern, and Art Gallery Fabrics! <3 

sewing

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Comments

  1. Shannon says

    September 13, 2016 at 10:46 AM

    OH I LOVE THIS! So pretty! and you are just too gorgeous! xoxo

    Reply
    • Delia says

      September 13, 2016 at 3:13 PM

      Thank you Shannon! I can’t wait to see your project tomorrow!

      Reply
  2. Michele says

    September 13, 2016 at 1:17 PM

    Love the dress. The pattern and cut is gorgeous. The scarf is beautiful too. Great make! Cheers, Michele

    Reply
    • Delia says

      September 13, 2016 at 3:13 PM

      Thank you so much Michele! <3

      Reply
  3. Emily says

    September 13, 2016 at 4:38 PM

    So beautiful! I need to sew up a lady skater! I think I already printed and cut the pattern too.

    Reply
    • Delia says

      September 13, 2016 at 4:51 PM

      Thanks Emily! The long sleeve version is so perfect for Fall! Happy sewing! <3

      Reply
  4. Andrea says

    September 13, 2016 at 8:20 PM

    It’s perfection!

    Reply
    • Delia says

      September 13, 2016 at 10:46 PM

      Thank you Andrea!

      Reply
  5. Michelle says

    September 13, 2016 at 9:11 PM

    Gorgeous! I always forget about longer dresses, but they are so comfy and perfect for WA weather!
    Beautiful job, and it looks perfect on you!

    Reply
    • Delia says

      September 13, 2016 at 10:46 PM

      Thank you Michelle! They really are great for our weather! <3

      Reply
  6. Charity says

    September 13, 2016 at 11:29 PM

    That is so, so pretty on you! I love the simplicity of the dress (and that fabric is really great for it!) and the way you styled it. Just beautiful!

    Reply
    • Delia says

      September 14, 2016 at 8:34 AM

      Thank you Charity! You are always so kind. <3

      Reply
  7. Ali says

    September 16, 2016 at 6:33 AM

    The dress is awesome – so lovely!!! and the photography is great!

    Reply
    • Delia says

      September 20, 2016 at 9:12 AM

      Thank you so much Ali!

      Reply
  8. Brendacious says

    October 2, 2016 at 3:32 PM

    It is beautiful. I’d like to make a dress, too — what dress pattern did you use, please?

    Reply
    • Delia says

      October 2, 2016 at 9:59 PM

      Thank you! I used the Lady Skater pattern by Kitschy Coo. I simply changed the skirt portion to a gathered skirt in maxi length. I hope that helps!

      Delia

      Reply
  9. Jackie says

    November 12, 2016 at 1:46 PM

    Hey there! I am modifying the Moneta Dress pattern by Colette to make this dress and bought 3 yards but have no clue as to how you made it work with that amount of yardage?

    Reply
    • Delia says

      November 12, 2016 at 10:09 PM

      Hi Jackie,

      I really used almost every bit of it. The bodice for the lady skater did not take much yardage, but even then I tried to use it as efficiently as possible. I’m also a size 2-4 and I’m short. That’s all I can think of that might be why 3 yards was enough for me. I’m truly sorry to not be of more help.

      Delia

      Reply

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