Made the Wide-strap Maxi Dress Yet? Here’s Some Hacks to Get You Hooked
- Words by Peppermint
There’s a whole lot to love about the Peppermint Wide-Strap Maxi Dress pattern. We collaborated with Lauren Boyle of Perth-based pattern label, Elbe Textiles, back in Issue 44, to create this effortless wardrobe staple – the quintessential throw-on dress to take you from day-to-night and season-to-season.
By the looks of it, you love it too – judging from all the unique and creative versions you’ve been sewing up and tagging with #peppermintmaxidress on Instagram. We’ve been so inspired by all your makes, we decided to round up just some of the lovely versions and clever hacks that have caught our eye at Peppermint HQ.
Not only is this pattern very wearable in it’s full-length glory, it’s easily ‘hackable’ too. You could shorten it into a floaty summer top, add gathered tiers for extra flounce factor or create a patch-work inspired look. The only limit is your imagination!
top image @JASPER_CREEK above @ST.EFFIESTUDIO // @CALEXAN4 // @ASHBETTERIDGE
Maybe you’ve had your eye on it for some time and it hasn’t quite made it to the top of your sewing pile yet, and you need a little reminder to get your maxi on. Or possibly you’ve already made it and need some inspo for version two (or maybe three…?), so here’s a few tips, tricks and treats from our friends in the sewing community.
above @POPSCANSEW // @KATIEMAKESADRESS // @E.ONUEL
HACK #1 || CROP IT TO A TOP
The subtle A-line of the pattern naturally lends itself to being hacked into a cute summer top. Just shorten to the desired length and you’re ready to go!
top image @JASPER_CREEK above @TAMMY.HANDMADE // @RUBY_MAKES // @SEWNINBRUNSWICK
HACK #2 || ADD GATHERED TIERS
Add extra flair by adding layers with gathered tiers. You can do this by measuring out rectangular pieces of fabric to the desired length (extra long for extra gathers) and the height that you’d like each tier to end up. Mel from MeltStitches has some great tips for calculating tiers at Minerva.
above @GYASTI // @HOUSE_OF_TAYLOR_CLOTHING // @THE.OVERCONFIDENT.BEGINNER
HACK #3 || PATCHWORK IT
Looking to use up fabric scraps? Pretty patchworks are a great way to create bold, fun patterns and the Maxi Dress is the perfect vehicle for a colour clash. Sew your pieces together first to create one large piece of fabric, then cut the pattern piece out as per the instructions.
above @THEPLEATEDPOCKET // @S.IS.FOR.SEW // @_PENSANDNEEDLES_
HACK #4 || ADD A SELF-FABRIC WAIST TIE
A super simple and practical hack! We love the idea of adding a self-fabric waist tie to cinch it in and change the silhouette.
above @YAYSTITCH
HACK #5 || COLOUR-BLOCK IT
Another fun idea we’ve seen around is a colour-blocked maxi split right down the middle. It makes for an easy variation… just grab two fabrics in your favourite colour combo and sew together.
above @MEGHANDMADE // @LEJDITEA // @KIMYAYSEWS
NEED EVEN MORE INSPO?
The ideas are endless, as this pattern is extremely versatile. Frill-seeker? Tucks? Ties? Our sewing pals have got you covered. Download the free pattern and then follow the #peppermintmaxidress hashtag on socials to hunt out a myriad of ways to turn this much-loved pattern into something super spesh.
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On the 14th of April 2013 the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, tragically killing 1134 workers and injuring over 2,500 more.
Every year we commemorate this devastating and avoidable loss of life and advocate for better working conditions for all during Fashion Revolution Week, which runs from 22nd-28th April in 2026.
This year there are different themes for each day of the week, with the annual Mend In Public day falling right in the middle, on Saturday 25th April.
This is your cue to gather your community, settle in and commit some time, attention and creativity to mending your clothes in the pursuit of extending their life in your wardrobe. Be it patching, embroidery, sewing or stitching, there are many ways to resolve structural and aesthetic issues in your garments that will see you donning them for years to come!
If it’s a bit tricky to get mending on the day itself (it will be ANZAC Day here in Australia) then fear not. Any time is the right time for mending so if you need to take needle in hand on another day that will do just fine!
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From @CinnamonDaisyStudio:
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So this is just a reminder to you to go for your big dreams! They might just work out ❤️
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Our lovely community manager Em, runs us through the offer.
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Generous, messy, creative, spiky, warm, enigmatic… our best friends come in many flavours. But they all have one thing in common: they make the world a far better, more interesting place to be.
Inspired by Sam and Sadie’s complicated ‘forever’ bond in Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by @GabrielleZevin (a firm Peppermint fave ‘friendy’ read), we’ve rounded up some iconic fictional duos from books, movies and TV - the ride-or-dies, bosom buddies, chosen family, the ‘you’re-my-person’ people.
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Mother`s Day Chocolate Treats Subscription Special! 🌟
It`s almost time to celebrate that special person in your life who has motherly energy – mum, aunty, single parent, queer parent, grandparent, caregiver... or maybe just someone who happens to love getting chocolate treats (and hey, maybe that someone is YOU!).
This very sweet subscription offer comes with some glorious goodies, thanks to our friends at @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo!
SUBSCRIBE FOR $79 AND RECEIVE:
🌟 1 x 12-month Peppermint Subscription
PLUS!
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 43% cocoa, Certified-Organic Taming The Jackalope Drinking Chocolate from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Vegan, gluten-free, 70% cocoa, Certified-Organic Ship To Wreck Chocolate Flakes from @TheOriginalCocoaTradersCo
🌟 Issue 64 (includes a free code for the #PeppermintDaisyDress digital sewing pattern!)
🌟 A5 art card of our exclusive ‘Together We Rise’ Issue 60 cover design by @LukeJohnMatthewArnold
🌟 All wrapped in fabric from @DoopsDesigns
Price includes postage! This special offer is available to Australian addresses only. Don`t miss out – there`s limited numbers!
🌟 Link in bio 🌟
#PeppermintMagazine #MothersDay
