DIY Maxi Dress: Simplicity #3803 Revisited

When it comes to sewing, sometimes I get obsessive about a pattern.
When I find a pattern that I really like, I will make multiples.  Does that ever happen to you?  So, if you remember, I posted my colourful Simplicity dress, here.  Well I couldn't resist making several others. I made some minor modifications to these dress.  I added an additional 2 panels to the skirt to get a more full look.

used a light cotton with a bit of stretch

used a light denim with stretch for the bodice and cotton for the skirt

used a floral rayon.

In the case of the yellow dress, I went with a basic gathered skirt and attached this to the bodice of the Simplicity pattern.  To make the gathered skirts, I cut a basic rectangle from the material using the following measurements:

My waist measurements x 3

28" x 3 = 84"

Take that calculations divide by 4 (representing the front and back pieces)

84/4 = 21"

I also measured the length that I wanted for my skirt-- 18"

Now I know that my pattern piece would be 21" x 18".  I cut the front and back pieces on the fold.  With the back piece, I cut that piece in two (at the fold) to create a seam in the back. I sewed my side seams.  I serged and hemmed the skirt THEN I gathered.  Once the gathering was complete, I attached the skirt to the bodice and adjusted the gathered so they were even.