Usually when I write a blog post it's to share my first version of a pattern and some thoughts about the sewing process. While that's true again for this review of the Little Rosy Cheeks Maize dress, today I already have a second version to share too. It'll therefore be no surprise to hear that I'm a fan of the pattern!
The Maize dress is like a classic t-shirt dress, but reimagined to use a knit fabric bodice combined with a woven fabric skirt. The pattern covers bust sizes from 32 to 55¼" and hips from 33½ to 59⅜". It's drafted for a height of 5'7".
Maize has two views, with view A featuring a pleat at the bottom of the bodice and a maxi length skirt with patch pockets. View B has a simple bodice with a midi skirt and in-seam pockets. Both of my dresses are view B.
This was my first time using a pattern from Little Rosy Cheeks, and I was definitely impressed. I ordered a paper pattern, and it comes printed on regular paper (rather than pattern tissue paper) and is presented in a sturdy plastic folder – perfect for storing the pattern without things getting ripped.
The instructions were also excellent. I found them very clear and easy to follow, and they're accompanied by helpful diagrams. I didn't have any trouble sewing either of my dresses, and they both came together pretty quickly. I found Maize an enjoyable project to sew, and I'd happily make the pattern again.
I made my dresses in a size 14, which is the size recommended for my bust and waist measurements. My hips are closer to the size 16, but there's plenty of ease in the hips so I didn't feel the need to blend between sizes in the skirt.
I lengthened my bodice by an inch (a very standard adjustment for me – I'm about 5'9"). I also made my skirt slightly shorter than intended in the pattern – the hem is intended to be 3 cm, but I ended up cutting an inch off the bottom of the skirt and using a 2" hem to get the length that I wanted.
The pattern is intended to have a semi-relaxed fit, and I think that's a good description and it comes out true to size. My dresses fit me well on the shoulders, and then have a relaxed fit without straying into the too big/sack-like territory.
For both of my versions, I used cotton jersey for the bodices and linen viscose for the skirts. Both of the jerseys were left over from other projects. I bought the denim blue linen viscose that's paired with the pastel spotty bodice from Oh Sew Crafty, while the turquoise linen viscose that goes with the bright multicoloured bodice was from Jenny Stitches.
I wondered whether the linen viscose might be a bit heavy (at 220 gsm), but then I reasoned that my jersey was pretty much the same weight so it should be OK. I probably wouldn't go any heavier for the skirt fabric or you'd risk it dragging the bodice down. As it is, I think the linen viscose works really well and the skirts hang nicely and swish beautifully.
By now it's probably fairly clear that the Maize pattern gets a big thumbs up from me. I'm very happy with both of my dresses, and I think they'll be worn a lot because they're very comfy. My mum quite likes the look of the pattern, so I might have to make a version for her too!
