Review: McCall's 7242 | Bohemian-Chic Maxi Dress + Tassel Rope Belt Tutorial!

9:30 AM

McCall's 7242 | Bohemian-Chic Maxi Shirt Dress with Tassel Rope Belt
I seem to have a renewed love of maxi dresses.  So this is going to be a thing for a moment.  My latest one is McCall's 7242.  I researched this pattern and I found only a handful of iterations.  I'm not sure why, because this pattern has great bones.  It's a maxi shirt dress.  What's not to love?
McCall's 7242 | Bohemian-Chic Maxi Shirt Dress with Tassel Rope Belt
The lines of this dress are so simple, it screamed out for heavily patterned fabric.  I'd found this ikat print at Hancock and I bought what was left on the bolt -- a little over 4 yards.  It's a poly chiffon.
McCall's 7242 | Bohemian-Chic Maxi Shirt Dress with Tassel Rope Belt
I cut the 12 in the bodice and the 14 in the skirt.  For this style of dress, the skirt is cut very slim.  It's really straight.  If you're significantly heavier on the bottom, rely on the finished measurements on the pattern pieces.  They're accurate.  You may have to go up from you usually pattern size, 
I added length to the bodice, the skirt and the ruffle.  This sleeveless dress took all 4 yards of the fabric.  Instead of creating French seams, I serged my seams.  This fabric was shredding like crazy so it was best to just get it done.  
McCall's 7242 | Bohemian-Chic Maxi Shirt Dress with Tassel Rope Belt
I also partially lined the skirt.  That is the only part that concerned me.
There is also a hook an eye at the elastic waist.
McCall's 7242 | Bohemian-Chic Maxi Shirt Dress with Tassel Rope Belt

The armhole has a bias binding finish.

And I finished my ruffle with a narrow hem.
Bohemian-Chic Tassel Rope Belt Tutorial
I decided to accessorize my dress with a Tassel Rope Belt.  Here's how I made mine:

What you need:
Bohemian-Chic Tassel Rope Belt Tutorial
  • Rope
  • beads
  • suede or leather fabric scrap
  • ruler
  • pen/pencil
  • hot glue gun
  • scissors or rotary cutter
Note:  Make sure your beads will fit over your rope and will still have enough room to slide over your tassel.
Bohemian-Chic Tassel Rope Belt Tutorial
First, I made my suede tassels.  Mine are 1.25" x 4".  You have to cut fringe into the suede/leather first.  I did this by creating a 1/4" guideline.  My fringe are about 1/8" wide.  You can measure these off and draw guidelines or you can eyeball them as I did.  And make sure you don't cut through your guideline.  You'll need a sharp pair of scissors or a rotary cutter like I used.
Bohemian-Chic Tassel Rope Belt Tutorial
String your beads on first.
Bohemian-Chic Tassel Rope Belt Tutorial
Appy your hot glue to the guideline of the fringe, but not too much!
Bohemian-Chic Tassel Rope Belt Tutorial
Tightly roll your fringe guideline around the end of the rope
Bohemian-Chic Tassel Rope Belt Tutorial
Slide your bead down over your fringe and work it into place over the guideline.
Bohemian-Chic Tassel Rope Belt Tutorial
And repeat for the other side.

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34 comments

  1. Very well done. I love the belt, too. You look amazing!

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  2. Wow Erica..Super cute...question?? What fabric did you line the skirt of the dress with?

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    1. I used a navy Bemberg rayon. Thanks Lora!

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  3. This is a cute dress and I love the half lining in it! Glad you've rejoined us in the land of maxi!

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  4. Love the dress and I also like the tassel rope belt very much, it's the perfect accessory for a maxi-dress! Well done!

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  5. Cute Maxi! love the belt.

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  6. Very nice! I'm just waiting for the right fabric to come along to give this one a try. As always, thank you for sharing the construction details.

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  7. Really fresh and pretty! Thanks for the tip about the slim line of the skirt...I was surprised by this. Love the belt detail as well!!

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  8. Really Chic!!! The belt is BOSS!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Carol, it was such fun to make!

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  9. The dress is fantastic, as always! Thank you for sharing the belt tutorial!

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    1. Thanks so much Grumpy without Coffee!

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  10. Love the dress. The lining looks perfect. And the belt is the bestest accessory for it. I want to make one!

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  11. I've never paid much attention to this pattern before until I saw your version. I think I skipped over it because the dark long sleeved version on the model just looks way too dowdy or something. Yours looks nice and breezy

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    Replies
    1. Always stare down that technical drawing! Thanks Betty!

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  12. stunning, its fantastic on you, brilliant fabric choice

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  13. Wonderful dress! Great idea for making the belt.

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  14. What a beautiful dress with very clean professional touches in the finishing of it. And that belt is wonderful - love the color and whimsy of it. You look gorgeous!

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  15. I could have sworn you said you wouldn't be making anymore maxi dresses.... but I'm glad you did because this came out beautifully. I really like the partial lining at the skirt only. Isn't it just annoying when the pretty fabric is a pain to work with?

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    1. I was on a self-imposed ban! I went for a couple of years without them. But I made this one a little shorter, even though aesthetically I love when the drag the ground. But that's a fall waiting to happen! Thanks Abbey!

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  16. Oh man! Thanks for the tutorial! This is a beautiful piece! I love the addition of the skirt underneath, even though it funcitonal I think the blue peaking out from underneath really adds to aesthetic! Another job well done! xoxo -Su

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