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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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
