![](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/t/37/assets/gots.png?v=2776945968310856549)
Creation: Hand stamped maxi dress
Fabrics Used: Natural Stretch Jersey
The Visionary: Justine, SewCountryChick.com
Our Thoughts: Justine at SewCountryChick used her creativity to make a unique sundress and it looks great.
A couple of years ago, I bought some wooden stamps at The Rose Bowl Flea Market and used it on a few yards of beautiful natural colored organic cotton with lycra from Organic Cotton Plus. It was an undyed, organic cotton jersey with just a hint of lycra, in a perfect weight for dresses. I absolutely love the quality. Being organic, as well as cotton, it was a perfect canvas to hand dye and stamp. Polyester blends don’t take dye very well. This was the perfect opportunity to finally try out my Indian fabric stamp!
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampedmaxi1-662x1024_large.jpg?1299032588595906779)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampedmaxi2_large.jpg?14091398204272996777)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampedmaxi3-679x1024_large.jpg?2600062495690739642)
To make the pattern, I simple traced a store bought maxidress I already had.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampeddress1_large.jpg?13063953649496876320)
I ironed the cotton lycra and then pinned the red dress to it. I traced around it and added 1 inch seam allowances.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampeddress2_large.jpg?10569872901073473931)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampeddress3-682x1024_large.jpg?5624828842639808581)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampeddress6_large.jpg?9768478167694188663)
When copying store bought clothes to make patterns, it’s a good idea to add extra ease. Not all knits stretch equally and some need a bit more room than others to be comfortable and look good.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampeddress4_large.jpg?13500328253593428723)
Once I got the fit down on my dress, I finished it off with a self faced neckline and armholes and got busy with the fun part. Stamping!
After a bit of experimenting, I found that rolling fabric paint onto the stamp with a sponge roller worked well. A fresh coat had to be rolled on after each stamp, making it a bit time consuming to do the whole dress.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampeddress5_large.jpg?1380960976363422718)
Once the stamps were dry, I used Coca brown RIT Dye and added some to a pot with hot water, until it was about 8 inches high. I got the whole dress wet with plain water, then I dipped the bottom of the dress in about 1 foot deep , then took it out. I poured out most of the dye and then added more water so the dye was really diluted. I quickly dipped the dress back in a bit deeper. I used pins to pin across the dress so I would have a guide to dip evenly across the hem .
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/0448/files/stampedmaxi4-682x1024_large.jpg?15191661091414122298)
I love my new dress!
2 Comments:
Your dress is just GORGEOUS!!! I love the block printing! Don’t you love seeing cheap construction on clothes and knowing you can do it way better fo a fraction of the cost?
Justine,
Great job designing a beautiful dress! I loved how you explained all the steps you took to make the pattern from an existing dress and how you stamped the fabric to create a unique fabric.