First up, time to choose the pattern you’re going to use for the wrapalong.
I’ll be using the Christine Jonson wrap dress pattern. The reason I like this pattern is because it’s simple, and very similar to the classic DVF wrap. There are no darts, tucks or gathers, making it quick to sew and also avoid any odd puffy bits! I simplify the pattern even more by eliminating the bodice lining and adding a neckline binding instead, which I’ll explain in a future post. There are collar and cuff options, and a sleeveless version.
However, there are lots of other options for wrap dresses if the Christine Jonson version doesn’t tickle your fancy. Just bear in mind that the sewalong steps may not exactly match your pattern if it’s significantly different.
One alternative is to make a fixed wrap dress, which means it looks like a wrap with the cross over top, but is in fact fully closed, so there’s no risk of the wrap separating or blowing up in the wind! (What can I say, I like to live on the wild side….) McCalls M6884 is a great fixed wrap option.
If you want additional shaping, Vogue 8379 could be a good option for you (even though it didn’t work for me). It also has collar and cuff options.
Another option for a wrap dress or top is Simplicity 2369, which was one of Pattern Review’s best patterns of 2010. This is another fixed “mock wrap” version.
Finally: I don’t recommend using a woven pattern for this sewalong, because all the steps will be focused on knits. I also find it much, much harder to fit woven wrap dresses, especially around the bust! If you want to make one in the future though, you could look at the Victory Nicola or Sewaholic Yaletown patterns, although neither have a large size range.
What pattern are you going to use?
Coming up next: choosing a knit fabric and essential supplies!
I just bought the Christine Jonson pattern along with a gorgeous knit fabric in a kit at Craftsy. When I tried to buy the pattern separately, every place I looked was sold out. The kit PLUS full paper pattern was only $40, so I figured that I was getting a good deal. I am inspired by this group, and when I have some time to sew and not be bothered/stressed by other things in my life, I WILL make my wrapalong!
Well, I finally committed to join in, a big step for me as I’m not really a joiner and have never done any kind of ‘along’ before. I have several suitable knit fabrics in my ever growing (thanks to CSC) stash and will be trying out the Ramona wrap dress. The designer wrote on her fb page that she had made one in a knit fabric and it worked out fine. Fingers crossed
http://www.sewserendipity.com/product_info.php?products_id=172
Using the Christine Jonson pattern, ordered mine from Nancy’s Notions since she sent me a catalog with a free shipping code. I also bought some other patterns while I was at it, couldn’t help myself. Jenny, I’m sure you’ll get to the nitty gritty of sizing, but do you know what cup size Christine Jonson is drafted for (I’m a C), just wondering how much time, if any, I will have to invest in any fitting/alterations.
Hi Suzanne – I’m not sure of the cup size it’s drafted for but I’m a HH and I haven’t made any adjustments, just made the XL! I doubt you will need to do any alterations.
I’m an E cup -Haven’t made the wrap dress but I’ve made a lot of her other patterns in the XL with no bust adjustments.
Thanks for organising this sew along Jenny, I am so up for this. I’ve not made a wrap dress before and have only made 1 knit garment (last Saturday). I’ve bought the McCalls 6884 pattern and have got two lots of fabric, a plain purple/plum jersey and a dark blue printed John Kaldor jersey that I got discounted.
Jenny,
May I ask why the Vogue patter didn’t work for you? The reason why I ask is because I have a heavy bottom from lower stomach to top of thigh and I really like the way the vogue pattern looks but this will be my first wrap dress. But I definitely don’t want the dress to work out or look good. I’ve already bought my material.
I still haven’t decided on a pattern. I can’ really afford the CJ pattern, though I really love the way it looks!
Hi! So here’s a link to the dress I made with it – http://www.cashmerette.com/2013/02/a-fitting-challenge_9.html – there actually isn’t a picture of me in it because I didn’t like it that much! So I found that the tucks at the waist were really bulky and didn’t do anything for my figure. And, the skirt poofed out from my hips in a sort of bell shape which I didn’t like. I also had to pull back the front wrap piece significantly because it was sort of choking me…. I also suspect that I may have used the wrong fabric for it- it was a bit too heavy. That said, I know other people like it, so give it a go and just make sure you use a decently drapey material!
Great timing discovering this blog! I’ve never done a sew along before. If it arrives in time I’ll use the Petite plus wrap dress, otherwise it will be the Simplicity 2369 which I already own.
I have the Christine Jonson wrap dress pattern. I bought it ages ago when I first read your blog and are yet to make it. So I’m quite excited at actually making it up. Just have to find that perfect fabric now 🙂
I’m going to use a pattern I already have, the Easy Wrap Dress and Top from Petite Plus Patterns. Now I just have to decide if I want to use a knit or a woven fabric, because you can use either. I’m leaning toward the knit.
Hi Tracy – for the sewalong you may want to use a knit, because that’s what all the tutorials will be aimed at!
I’m going to use The Ultimate Wrap Dress by Sew Over It… 🙂
I will be using an old pattern from my stash – Kwik Sew 3408.
Since I am too cheap to pay for the pattern that you have (even though I love it) I am going to try New Look S0597, http://www.simplicity.com/p-11915-misses-knit-dress-with-neckline-length-variations-br.aspx , it has a differnt number under simplicity 6301. It is a mock wrap so should protect my modesty!
Unfortunately the pattern is sold out for the one you made. It is available at Nancy’s Notions for $17.99 plus $6.99 shipping — too steep for me. Will have to look for one from a different company that I like.
Peg
I want to make the vogue 8379 because I like the flat front and the sleeve/collar options. Does anyone know if there is an excess of ease built into the pattern or not? Do people usually end up cutting vogue patterns a size smaller?
Hi Nita there is always huge ease in vogue patterns. There’s a post coming up soon about how to pick the right size
Maybe I’ll wait for that post before purchasing the pattern, then – thanks for the heads up! And BTW you are awesome for putting yourself out there to do this for all of us! It’s a lot of work and much appreciated!
…and I feel very worldly even knowing what ease is! Lalala!
I feel like such a pest….i’m not sure which size to purchase because the Vogue 8379 pattern packet comes in either 8-10-12-14 or 16-18-20-24. I am between a 16 &18 bust and hips, and 20 waist according to the measurements. So obviously should buy the larger one. However, if the pattern has a huge ease, maybe I should buy the smaller size packet and sew the 14 with a 1/4 inch seam? Oh, argh! This seems so complicated! (Laughing at self).
Caved. Today, I fished out an old RTW wrap dress from Long Tall Sally from the back of my wardrobe. I felt so comfortable in it that I’ve decided to sew a real wrap dress, not just the faux wrap. Vogue 8379 is now winging its way to me. It looks very similar to the one I have, so I’m hoping the style will work for me even though a few people have said it didn’t suit them. I’m thinking I could use my existing dress to help me see what modifications are needed.
Ideally, you should find the finished garment measurements and compare your measurements against that. However, they’re not on the website – can you go into a joann’s and have a look at the actual envelope? It’s tricky when you’re close to the cut-off point. I would assume you’re at least one size down, and grading up the hips and waist would be pretty easy, so if I were you I’d probably buy the smaller version. Does anyone have any experience with this pattern? You could also read the reviews on http://www.patternreview.com to see what people are saying about the sizing.
I just had a quick look at thee reviews and many are saying that the skirt is very full, which means you’d stand a good chance of not having to alter it with size 20 hips.
I’m using the CJ pattern. The very popular V8379 didn’t work for me either.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a pattern that closes closer to the collar bone? I just prefer to be more covered, and if I’m not, I freeze in the winter. It’s also much too hot and humid where I live most of the year to wear an extra layer in the form of a camisole.
Is adding more coverage to a pattern a possibility?
Thank you for any advice!
HI Lara – based on on how wrap dresses work, you could just wrap it more tightly around you, raising up the neckline – and potentially put a pin or brooch to hold it together up there. Classic wrap dress styles don’t tend to have high necklines, however.
Thank you for the information…I’ll know what to look for when I chose a pattern.
Confession: I got excited about the idea of wrap dress sewalong, and promptly hacked my own mock-wrap pattern from a Renfrew! http://craftingarainbow.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/lazy-tips-for-sewing-knits-anatomy-of-a-faux-wrap-dress/
So in case anyone else is feeling cheap, it’s possible and really not that hard, it you are comfortable with the basics of sewing knits!
These are all great patterns. I think I am going to go with Vogue 8379. This one speaks to me the most and it’s been a while since I stitched up a dress and I have it my stash so I’m ready.
I ordered the Mc Call’s pattern this morning but I hadn’t realized it was a fixed wrap dress (they should really mention that on the pattern!) and now I’m wondering if it will accomodate my growing pregnant belly… Fingers crossed!
I’m kind of leaning towards McCalls 6986, myself. It’s a very glamorous wrap dress.
I’m trying to decide on my pattern. I’ll need a fixed/faux wrap because it gets pretty windy here in Seattle. Two that I already have on-hand:
New Look 6301 (I like this one a lot, but it will likely require a lot of adjustments):
http://www.simplicity.com/p-11917-misses-mock-wrap-knit-dress.aspx
StyleArc Slip-on Suzie: (Super easy, and StyleArc usually fits me well with only minor pattern adjustments):
http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=402&category_id=5&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39
And I have the StyleArc Trixi ordered but don’t know if it will arrive from Australia in time for the sewalong:
http://www.stylearc.com.au/stylearc/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=528&category_id=5&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=39
I think I will sew-along with Jalie 2449. No need for a dress, but there is always space for a Crossover Top in my wardrobe. So far I was too much of a chicken to tackle the needed adjustments (mainly lengthening and grading the lower part two sizes larger) and kept producing TNT shirts.
Consider Simplicity 1653 – it appears to be the same general design at S2369, however, S1653 has different cup sizes to choose from for the bodice. I made this dress over the weekend, after being inspired by your wrap dresses, and it came out lovely on my apple shaped curvy body. I particularly like the way the overlap portion of S1653 skims over my tummy.
Great reco, Cindy!
Thanks Cindy, that’s the pattern I’m going to sew. As it came with a magazine purchase in the UK, I’m pleased to hear that you liked it. What cup size do you use? I even thought I had some fabric in my stash that I could use but find it didn’t have the required give as per the ‘pick-a-knit’ rule.
Oh, argh…the Christine Jonson dress is $16.95 just in shipping to Canada. I like that pattern because it looks like it has a flatter front than the others but can’t pay the $40 it’ll cost after purchase, shipping & taxes. So I’ll go to the fabric store today and look at the other options.
Eek, that’s super expensive! Luckily wrap dresses are quite common so hopefully you should be able to pick up an alternative pattern
I have the McCalls pattern and a couple of yards of purple jersey gathering dust. This sew-along will be perfect.
I’ve been looking forward to this! Wrap dresses and tops have always been my favorite clothes. I actually have S2369 in my stash so I’m going to use that pattern. Now if I have fabric in my stash that works with this pattern as well I’ll be a happy sewist!
I have the Butterick B5898 pattern.
(http://www.sewdirect.com/cgi-bin/sh000003.pl?WD=5898&PN=Butterick-B5898%2ehtml#SID=923)
I chose this one as it looks particularly ‘curvy’ friendly I didn’t want to have to try and upgrade a smaller pattern and the size range goes right up to a 6X.
I wasn’t able to find a lot of reviews on this pattern so I am hoping I haven’t picked a really tricky one out.
Looks perfect, Caz!
I am planning to sew B5898 as well. Of course I will be making modifications. I want a long sleeve version with cuffed sleeves. Caz are you planning to size down since this pattern is for wovens and jersey? The knit I will be using is pretty stretchy, so I am going to have to take that in to consideration.
The power of the blogosphere … Christine Jonson’s pattern is sold out! I have, in any case, tried without success to find a UK stockist. I’m surprised not to find it – has anyone else had any success?
I adore fixed wrap dresses and I’ve read recommendations of Cake patterns’ ‘Tiramisu’, so thought I’d give that a go. It’s for knits and seems to cover a good range of sizes. I won’t attempt stripe matching on my first one, though!
I’ve been looking for European retailers too, no luck. I mailed Christine a few week back, but she never replied.
Hmm, in that case I think I will try her Facebook page – it looks like a great pattern.
I think that the second link to Nancy’s notions should work!
I love the Tiramisu and have gotten a good fit from it. A couple of notes – the V can be a little low so I increased the size of the neck band (doubled it if I remember correctly) and also sewed it shut. Another thing to play with is the width of the waistband. I am short-waisted and narrowing the band looked better on me. All easy fixes. Other than those things, fit right out of the gate.
Brilliant – thanks, Rebecca. I’ve got a lot of a plain fabric so I can tinker with the fit and hopefully still end up with a wearable first attempt. I don’t have enough experience to know immediately the adjustments to make, so a test version and extensive use of other people’s recommendations will be very necessary!