MINI MAXI MARATHON...

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I'm sure everyone remembers this great pattern from a few years back that I just had to have. I usually don't purchase a lot of independent patterns, but this one drew me right in.  When I do make an inde purchase I feel that I have to make it up a number of times to justify the cost.

I made three maxi dresses from it last summer and they all turned out great.  So when I decided to do a Mini Maxi Marathon for my family members this was the pattern I chose.  I started the marathon on Sunday and completed the first dress for my baby sister Pat.  The Monday evening turned out to be a good night to sew so the second dress was finished for my sister Brenda.  Then there were a couple of nights where no sewing happened at all, but I did finally get to make the green and white dress for my Mom tonight.  Yes, all three are alike - which made it easier to make three of them in less than a week.  I'm hoping my peeps won't mind the look alike styles.  Maybe they can wear them on an outing - maybe a little afternoon trip up to lake country - mmmmm that would be nice.

I decided that making three maxi's would be a great way to help me do a little stash busting - 3 dresses = six yards used.  The two lively prints on the left are jersey knits purchased at Metro Textiles on one of my New York trips, and the ITY knit for the dress on the left was from Fabric.Com several years ago.    I still have enough of the ITY knit for another dress.

The Mission Maxi is a super easy dress to pull together, consisting of just two main pattern pieces and 3 bands to finish the neckline and armholes.  All three dress were machine hemmed using my longest zig-zag stitch to create lettuce hems.  I know my folks already have plenty of cute sandals  to pair with these dresses.
      
I also have plans for a maxi for me, but I'll use another pattern since I already have two made from this one...