5oo4 Sara Tank Dress – Tie Dye Maxi

I found a basic pattern perfect for fun prints! It’s the Sara Everyday Tank & Dress Pattern by 5 Out of 4 Patterns and I absolutely love the simplicity. Sometimes a bold print just needs a simple silhouette to create a standout piece. Especially for a busy and bright tie dye fabric like this one, I would definitely advise you stay away from anything too fussy or detailed that would compete with the print instead of showing it off.

Length Options

• Tank
• Dress
• Maxi

I went for maxi length to really show off this amazing tie dye print. If you know me personally, you know I love a good maxi dress. I’ve actually outgrown most of mine so I was super happy to add this one to my collection. I actually added two inches to my dress at the hem so it could hit the floor. I like my maxi dresses to graze the floor. I also left the hem raw because DBP does not fray. I just put a bit of fray check all around the hem and a little extra where the serge finished at the seams. I specifically bought this pattern for the maxi length and I will keep this one as my go to tank style maxi for sure.

Fabric

This fabric has been in my stash for a little while. It’s a double brushed poly from Fabric Mart Fabrics – lime/muted navy tie dye. The colour is what drew me to it online but when it came, I definitely shied away and just left it in my stash. I have been trying to experiment more with colours lately. #Wearhappycolor and #sewhappycolor on Instagram have been really helping to me to look at colour differently. This week is green week, and it made me look at my stash and go “it’s about time you make something with that lime green tie dye!”. Green is not usually one of my favourites. In fact, I don’t have many green makes at all but looking at these photos, I think I need more green in my wardrobe! My sewing machine does not like dbp at all! Lucky for me, this dress was a quick sew on the serger! Leaving the hem raw was major plus too!

Sizing

• Sizes XXS – 5XL
• Regular front bodice OR FBA

I struggled a bit to pick a size because I fell right on the border of needing to use the fba piece. I could either go for a M fba or a L regular. I actually tried another 5oo4 pattern just last week, the Pamela. Mainly with the intention of figuring out the sizing and how their block works for me. I made the M fba for that one and wasn’t happy with the fit. There was definitely some bust gaping and weirdness going on. So for this dress, I whipped up a quick and dirty cropped top version from some dbp scraps in the L regular, just to assess the fit on the bust. I was happy so I went merrily along. I made my usual 3/4″ sway back adjustment. After trying on the dress, I realized I should have graded the waist to the M. Oops! I ended up taking in about 3/4″ in the waist area and grading back out to the L hip. Perfect fit!

One of the things that made this dress so quick and easy to sew up is the bands. The neckline and armholes are finished with bands for that true tank style, as opposed to bindings. This was perfect for serger sewing and so I didn’t need to use my sewing machine at all! It is so comfy and I feel really good in it. I really like the A-line shape and the flowiness of the skirt. It’s such a basic silhouette but could make a really bold dress depending on your fabric choice. I’d say this is perfect for those fun, busy prints that we usually find in dbp, ity and rayon jersey. All of your slinky knits with nice drape!

I had an absolute blast at this photoshoot. It was our first beach shoot in probably over a year due to Aunty Rona’s arrival! The sea was rather rough and there was only one surfer out there with us. Needless to say, I acted a complete fool and thoroughly enjoyed myself running from the crashing waves. It was so refreshing to feel like myself again; in a dress I really love, in a place I really love, with someone I really love. That was some serious mush.. back to sewing! I styled my Sara with another pop of colour, orange! And I just realised that these are the colours of my new logo! That’s crazy! I guess it’s safe to say this is a 100% Keira outfit!

Toodle-loo

Keira

*Here’s a good laugh before you go… your girl got soaked!