I’ve loved trolling through the smaller fabric shops in Midtown since I was a kid going with my mom. Literally only big enough that you can squeeze sideways thru and smelling of bolts and bolts and bolts of material. Nothing beats the smell of fresh cut fabric in the morning! I’d take that over coffee any day!!

I wasn’t looking for any specific fabric when I went into AK Fabrics this day. I just like to take a look if I’m in the area. I found this soft light crinkle chambray and got 5 yards. They always ask what I’m making and a lot of times, I’m not even sure! I went home and thought this would be a perfect chance to hack the True Bias Ogden Cami into a maxi dress. I added a few of my favorite style details to make the perfect to wear maxi for an island vacay!

Pattern :: True Bias Ogden Cami

Fabric :: Crinkle chambray from AK Fabrics on 39th St in NYC

Modifications ::

• Added a center front seam and a center back seam and topstitched
• Cut DEEP back V (admittedly, maybe too deep. So this became a cover-up instead)
• Added loops where straps would go at front bodice and back bodice slopes where I thought comfortable for me
• Extended side seams down in A line shape
• Made exposed hem ruffle layer.
• Tripled hem length for a super full gather
• Left bottom hem raw but staystitched so it wouldn’t unravel too badly
• Made a 80-90” strap to lace thru the loops. Had to also be long enough to make a big hangy bow tie!