Hey Look At What I Made: Mermaid Maxi From Tie Dye Diva Featuring Simply By Ti Fabrics

 It can be really easy to fall into a sewing rut, creating safe pieces that you know will always turn out.

There's definitely a time for that, but every once in a while, it's important to shake up your sewing world and push yourself outside your Comfort Zone.

Now, that doesn't necessarily mean you need to make a complicated multi-week project with all new techniques. Sometimes all you need to do to push yourself is to try a new silhouette or color. That's what I've done here with my Mermaid Maxi from Tie Dye Diva! 

My First Maxi Skirt!

Yup. I've gone 41 years without a maxi skirt or dress (bridesmaid gowns and prom dresses don't count). Being so short, I've never felt comfortable in a skirt that sweeps the floor. RTW maxis are always far too long, of course, making me feel stubby. 

There's also the whole nightgown vibe... 

But then, back at the end of May, my sewing friend, Ti, wrote about her new maxi skirts for a blog tour. I clicked through every single post on that tour and found myself completely inspired to give my own maxi a try. 

Product Shot from Tie Dye Diva Shop

Mermaid Maxi has two options: Straight with a walking slit or a hip-hugging ankle flare. I knew immediately that the straight slit version was for me. I decided that since I was going to pick a garment style that would feel a little unusual, I was also going to choose a fabric that stands out: No boring basic this time!

Statement Skirt Fabric

Being inspired Ti, it only made sense that I would look to her fabric shop, Simply By Ti, for my maxi skirt fabric. Deciding on the fabric was easier than you might think. 

Product shot from the Simply By Ti shop

I have ordered from Simply By Ti several times, and each time I quickly scrolled past this Teal Geometric print rayon spandex. It was too busy and too colorful and just not me. That is EXACTLY why I dropped two yards of it into my first **Simply By Ti Brand Ambassador delivery.

I actually received this fabric at the start of June, but was so nervous about trying something new that I sat on it for a while, debating on if it was really a good idea to make a maxi skirt from a light and drapey rayon spandex. Finally, with the launch of #JustColorJuly in my Sew Alongs & Sewing Contests group, I had the motivation to just do it!

Mermaid Maxi from Tie Dye Diva is a 6 panel skirt. Pair that with a bold, horizontal print and you have an eye-sore waiting to happen, if you aren't careful with matching the print! 

Fortunately, the pattern has balanced markings on all the pieces. Even better, this rayon spandex is printed ON GRAIN and doesn't curl. While matching and cutting all the panels took a long time, it was worth the slow work to achieve perfect results in print matching!

A Little Love For The Pattern Instructions

It's true that the Mermaid Maxi is a relative straight forward project; something a beginner sewer could complete easily. But, I was still able to learn something new! 

 The instructions for installing the elastic gives you an amazing result. There is no bulk, no curling and your waist line stays nice and smooth. The elastic I used is a new favorite, from Fashion Sewing Supply. It's soft and stretchy and can be trimmed into smaller widths without fraying. I used a 1.5 inch wide elastic here, which is a bit more than the pattern calls for, but it worked just fine. 

Final Thoughts

I love my new maxi skirt! 

I'm so glad I took a chance on this print! 

My new skirt is pretty, colorful and really easy to wear!

 The front side slit isn't really necessary for walking, but I love how it feels sexy and casual at the same time. The pattern instructions talk about how to move the slit to different locations on the skirt, in case you want something with side slits instead.

The fabric lays smoothly and evenly over my hips and butt without clinging or stretching.

 The fabric is soft, cool and flutters in the summer breeze. 

You can find the shop listing for Tie Dye Diva Mermaid Maxi Skirt HERE
You can purchase yardage of the Teal Geometric Rayon Spandex from Simply By Ti HERE

If you'd like to see what other's are making with Simply By Ti fabric, come check out the Simply By Ti Fabrics Facebook Group!