Welcome to the very first Curvy Sewing Collective sewalong! We’re going to be tackling that most beloved of garments, the wrap dress. I am a total wrap dress obsessive: they are my daily uniform because they look fantastic while feeling like secret pajamas, and there’s no need to try to coordinate anything except your shoes. In fact, I started sewing so that I could make wrap dresses, and I’ve definitely fulfilled my vision!
For this sewalong, I’ll be taking you through the steps to make your own wrap dress. The instructions will also work for other wrap garments like a wrap top or wrap skirt. The key things are that it’s made out of a knit material, and that it closes by ties that wrap around your waist (no buttons or zips!)
I’ll be using my TNT wrap pattern, the Christine Jonson wrap, available here and here. All the photos in this post are of me wearing the Christine Jonson pattern.
If you use that pattern, you’ll be able to follow along exactly. However, there are also lots of other very similar wrap dresses you can use, and the sewalong should still be work for you.
A few posts on choosing a pattern, and buying your supplies will follow shortly, and then you’ll have two weeks to gather everything together before we start. But don’t worry – the sewalong steps will remain on the site in the future in case this schedule doesn’t work for you! I’ll be here to answer your questions, and at the end we’ll have a gallery of all your finished creations. Even better? There will be some prizes! More to follow…
In the meantime, if you want to find more wrap dress inspiration you can visit Wrap Dress Central on my blog, Cashmerette.
You can download the Wrapalong button for your blog here:
Sewalong schedule:
- September 10: Choosing your pattern
- September 11: Choosing your fabric
- September 12: Gathering supplies
- September 29: Sewalong begins!
I can’t wait to make wrap dresses with all of you!
Just wanted to add that sewers in Australia can pick up the CJ pattern at Can Do Books in Melbourne:
http://www.candobooks.com.au/product/8925-wrap-dress#.VCNhjpIaySM
Just got stylearc’s kate dress and bought fabric last week… So it looks like spot on timing. I am also very interested in the neckline finishes!
Hi Jenny and fellow Curvies, I’m looking forward to joining the sew-a-long using my own design of wrap dress. In the next few months I’m preparing to launch a range of womens clothing designs which are specifically designed to flatter the fuller figure. Check out my blog to see some of my art and clothing designs – http://www.pearlredmoon.com
Pearl, in Murrurundi, Australia
I am in.
I’d really like to do this with all of you, but due to remodeling/demolition I can’t even find a bare surface in my sewing room and the whole house is just one big dust ball. I hope to use all of the information as a guide when I finally do get to start sewing.
The sewalong posts will be on here permanently, so definitely give it a go once the dust clears!
Yay I’m so excited you’re doing a sew along for a wrap dress! I feel like they like great on **anyone** seriously. And it’s knit…which will force me to sew more knits… 🙂
So. In. I’ve had this CJ pattern for a while and it’s time to bring the bear out of hibernation. Thanks for starting the wrapalong.
Just purchased two wrap dress patterns from Butterick today!
I’m very inspired by this wrap dress idea! I’ve found some very nice patterns already. The only thing is that I’m pregnant and I was wondering if I absolutely had to buy a “normal” pattern or if I needed a maternity design (I found one but it’s not my fave…)
I’m still in the early stages of my pregnancy, but I’m looking for something that could work for a while and it would be perfect if I could wear it again when I’m not pregnant anymore!
Well, as you can see, I really need your expertise!
I think you might be able to get away with a regular one although I’ve never been pregnant so I can’t say for sure – what eo others think? One option would be to make the regular bodice size and make a larger size on the front skirt to make it provides enough cover (you could ease the front skirt in, or do little tucks)
I ordered the regular one I liked most, I’ll see how I deal with it when I can see the construction better. It’s a good idea to make the front skirt bigger though!
And longer. Taper the front (or fronts) longer from 0 at the sideseams to 1-2″ longer at CF, to go over the belly.
Thank you so much for this, I wouldn’t have thought of it, but it really makes sense!!!
The one wrap dress I own I bought while I was pregnant and it being non maternity was fine, though my chest never changed sizes and my dresses usually have some extra fabric in the belly anyways.
I think I regular wrap pattern should be fine.
Thanks a lot for your comment Hilary!
Is there an adjustment on the pattern to make the neckline fit better to eliminate the need to wear a camisole , I am useless at altering patterns. Your dresses are lovely, I would love to make one but am wary of the neck .
If you have a large chest, most wrap dresses will have some gape if they’re not work with a camisole, unless you wrap them high up above your chest. If you think about the angle of your bust to your shoulder and the fact there are no darts or closures; it makes sense. Personally I prefer the camisole look. However theoretically you can ease in some elastic to the neckline to make it cling back to the body. I’m not sure if there’s a pattern adjustment that can do it, does anyone know of one?
A tight neckband would definitely help… I wonder if you’d get better coverage if you did a slash from the shoulder to the waist, and pivoted to add fullness for the bust (I’m picturing sun rays coming down from the shoulder, if that makes sense) and then pleated or gathered that fullness out in the waist? That way there wouldn’t be lateral tension on the wrap, and the neckline wouldn’t get pulled out of alignment. I think something with a slightly high waistline would also help keep the wrap in place… My sister is quite busty, and her Tiramisu dresses snap in place and stay put all day! 🙂
Hi Diana, Cindy just recommended Simplicity 1653 (fixed wrap dress) which has cup sizes, which could help eliminate gaping!
http://www.simplicity.com/p-8764-misses-plus-sizes-amazing-fit-knit-dress.aspx
I’m in. I’ll be doing a faux-wrap dress because it’s way too windy most of the year in Seattle for a “real” wrap skirt. I’m still deciding between New Look 6301 and StyleArc’s “Slip On Suzie”. Or maybe, if I’m lucky, the StyleArc Trixi dress, which I just ordered but probably won’t arrive in time from AU for the sewalong.
McCalls 6884 is a really nice faux wrap dress. I made it in lace and lined the body with black. I got lots of compliments on it.
Oh, this is perfect timing – I am in need of fall clothes for work and was just considering a wrap dress. Sign me up!!
Glad to have you on board, Rebecca!
This will be my first knit project and I’m very excited! I’ve got the pattern for Vogue 8379 and am hoping the fabric post will help me pick out a fabric. There’s so many kinds of knits it’s overwhelming.
Great! That’s a good one to start with. We will have a knits post later in the week.
Yay! I am ready to progress beyond elastic waist shorts and the wrap dress sounds perfect. I want to learn to sew with knits and my only wrap dress pattern is for wovens, so I think I am going to buy a new pattern for the sew-along. 🙂
Excellent Nita!
Awesome! I’ve had a wrap dress on my list since I started sewing… but for some reason I still haven’t made one! hopefully this will be the motivation I need!
Glad to have you on board, Megan!
I’m in 🙂 found a dress for inspiration at Macy’s that was $$$ out of my price range lol
Are we able to make faux wrap dresses or does it have to actually open and wrap?
Hi Hilary – yes, you can make faux wrap dresses – I’ll talk more about this in the pattern post tomorrow.
Yay! I just got a pattern from Vogue, V8379 and was feeling a bit intimidated by it. I am sergerless… so any tips for using a regular machine would be appreciated!! Thanks!
Woohoo! There will be tips on how to sew knits with a regular sewing machine, so no worries!
I would really like to join!! Will you also go through how to get the perfect fit? I think I have yet to make a wrap dress/tunic/top that actually fits at the top.
Lots of love from Norway!
Nina
Hi Nina
Fitting is very easy in wrap dresses, but yes we’ll cover it!
I have already ordered the pattern, hopefully it arrives before start-up!
I expect fitting is easier with knits, I have mostly tried with woven fabrics. I look so forward to this, as you look stunning in your wrap-dresses!
I’m on a wrap and mock/wrap dress kick at the moment, and have actually just finished one this morning! I’m not sure I’ll officially join in, but I’m definitely going to be following along for advice on construction.
Sounds good Dilly!
Will you be showing us how to make it with the bias binding on top and not the just the lining? If I choose the binding how should I adjust the amount of fabric I need. I have a beautiful piece of 60# knit and have three yards, need a size large — would this be enough? Thanks
Hi Peggy I’ll be showing you how to do my neckline finishing which is a t shirt type binding made with the same fabric as the dress, so you don’t need to buy binding
And you’ll need to decide which pattern you are using for the fabric requirements. I’m a size XL in the Christine Jonson and I can make a short sleeved version with about 3 yards and 3/4 sleeve with 3.5
Thanks, that is helpful
REALLY excited for this– I’m a novice at best but really need a work dress. Hooray!
Hurray! it’s a good first knit project 🙂