This seems to be a post of firsts!
My first project using fabric gifted to me by Minerva as part of their Ambassador programme and my first time making a wrap dress.
The fabric is a medium weight viscose jersey with a good amount of stretch and is incredibly soft and feels really luxurious. It would make the most amazing floaty maxi dress, but seeing as long dresses and wheelchair wheels don’t play nicely together I settled on New Look pattern 6301. This is a knee length, mock wrap, v-neck dress, with soft drapes of fabric around the bodice, it’s a pattern that I have had for a long time and I’ve just not got around to making.
Now everyone will tell you how amazing wrap dresses are and i’m sure when you are standing upright they are, but sit down and they just bunch around the waist, its a lesson learnt that designs that supposedly suit everyone don’t necessarily look good when seated.
I’m on a big learning curve at the moment trying out designs, realising what works for me and what doesn’t . I branched out from my usual style this time and it wasn’t as successful as I had envisaged. I am a very pronounced Apple shape (ie a generous spare tyre) and this design is really just emphasising this, and not flattering at all. I thought all the gathers would be camouflaging but I was wrong. Still that’s what’s so interesting about sewing isn’t it, you learn as you go along.
This pattern is fairly easy to make but you do need to pay attention to the seam allowances changing from 5/8” to 3/8” in places.
I chose view ‘A’ which has long sleeves and a flared skirt. I decided not to use the elastic casing around the waist as the dress was comfy without it. (Something I’m getting more conscious of is the need to have room around my waist to feel comfortable.)
I sewed most of this dress using my overlock machine but when I did use the normal sewing machine I used a walking foot with a jersey needle. I finished the hems on my cover stitch machine.
With the walking foot the fabric was easy to sew, I think it may be more challenging without it. It didn’t curl much at the edges and the seams pressed beautifully.
Having never made this dress before I was concerned that the front might gape but I needn’t have worried, the neckband holds the dress nicely.
Overall the dress isn’t a complete disaster, it’s very comfy to wear, and with a cardigan I can disguise my silhouette – so that is how I will wear it.
Please don’t let me put you off making it, I’m sure if you aren’t in a wheelchair or are slimmer it would be a lovely dress and do certainly try this fabric as it’s really lovely, both to work with and to wear.
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