A Floral Wrap Dress for Fall

Dress pattern, featured, Uncategorized, vogue pattern22 Comments

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Fall sewing means dark florals, plaids, heathered wools…it’s all fabulous to me! The weather has turned a sharp corner here in Oregon. Yesterday was wet and blustery, a perfect day to stay in and sew. I knew exactly what I wanted to make. Wrap dresses have been on my mind since my trip to France. They were everywhere in Paris, on the women and in the stores, and most were made from rich, vibrant florals.

 

  1. Sezane 2. Anthropologie 3. Anthropologie

Fortuantely, I had the perfect Rayon challis in my stash, purchased at Mill End store last fall.

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I used my trusty wrap dress pattern, Vogue 9313 (also made here).

 

 

I love this pattern because it comes with separate pattern pieces for A, B, C, and D cups. Before I met this pattern, wrap dresses and their bodice closure always challenged me. rI could never get them to stay closed without gaping. I believe this happened because my cup size (small) is not in proportion to my hip size, as drafted by most pattern companies. In any event, Vogue solved my problem with this pattern!

Other things I love – – the width of the front band and skirt bands are wide enough (some I’ve tried are not, a pet peeve of mine.) I also love the back yoke, a nice detail that adds a bit of style and a lovely fit.

One big change I made: I redrafted the skirt. The skirt options are a big ‘circle’ skirt or a pencil. I wanted something in between, a ‘a-line’ style, a skirt with some movement, but not a full skirt. So, I took the pencil skirt and redrafted it as a-line, (I widened it gradually on the side and at the front) placing the darts as they were on the pencil skirt option.  I also straightened the angled front where the skirt overlaps, just because I like a skirt that stays closed easily when it’s windy and cold. The other construction detail I changed is that I didn’t slip stitch the front band facing down (all that handstitching made no sense to me). I secured it with my machine by first finishing the front bodice and skirt band’s edges with my serger. Then, folded the edge over, pressed, then ‘stitched in the ditch’ to hold the facing in place.

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Most of the dresses I’ve been eyeing in RTW are midi-length this season, so I hemmed this a bit longer than I usually do. I can’t wait to find some yummy boots to wear with it…shopping now!

Florals have never been my thing, but I can sense that is changing. I actually bought some Liberty cotton while traveling and I really love it. So expect to see a few more florals in my future posts. I’m glad I gave this floral a try – I know I’ll wear this dress constantly this winter with tights, and boots and with a long sweater thrown over it!

Mitchell likes to be in photos…what can I say?

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Here, he was my helper, showing me that my bootie wasn’t zipped up. Handy guy to have around!

Fall sewing plans? Mine are evolving. I’m really into plaid and have been imagining a plaid button up skirt, and a cape or jacket. I wear my denim shirtdress (here) alot in the Fall, and I have an urge to add a new one to my wardrobe. I’m also pretty inspired by the lovely trench coats I see everywhere. I want to try to make one (a first!) but, I still haven’t found the perfect pattern. As the plan develops, I may do a post about inspirations and patterns, which I’ve never done before. Thoughts and advice is appreciated.

Happy sewing and thanks for stopping by!!

 

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22 thoughts on “A Floral Wrap Dress for Fall”

  1. As a brand new subscriber to your blog I was delighted by your inspiring post. I love the look! The last few winters (mild where I live) I’ve been enjoying the cozy comfortable chic of knit dresses plus heavy tights. I’m getting into sewing again after a long hiatus and now I’ve decided that one of my first projects must be Vogue 9313, modified in accordance with your ideas. Apologies to Mitchell, you are now being followed by another cat– a copy cat. Your A-line skirt is much more pleasing than the full-skirted pattern illustration and I agree that wrap dresses should close without tugging. PS I’m going to go back into your archives and look for more fashion ideas inspired by your trip to France. Thanks again –Marianne

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    1. Thanks for subscribing Marianne, and welcome! I love knit dresses with tights too, and love the idea of a wardrobe full of them. It sounds like you have N enviable closet:) It’s nice to know my post has inspired you! Where do you post your makes? I’d love to know how your version of this lovely pattern turns out!

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  3. You found a lovely floral for the fall. Nice work on your dress! I see in the pattern that one of the views has buttons on the skirt. That would be a different one to make. I’d love to do that on my next wrap dress. I prefer the A line style too. An A line doesn’t use as much fabric and looks better on me. Fall plans already? Oh my! I’m sort of a “I want this, I want that” sewist bouncing from project to project. 😂

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    1. Thanks! I like the view with the buttons too. That could definitely be in my future. Ha, yes I tend to be a bit random about my sewing plans as a rule. This year my want list seems pretty defined for a change!

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  5. This turned out great! I liked reading about your modifications. When you choose a pattern piece according to your cup size (for the patterns that have that), do you go by your ready-to-wear undergarment size? I’ve always been confused by that. I don’t have a big difference between my high and full bust, but I do wear a slightly large cup size in undergarments. Also, I would love an inspiration post . I love reading those. Getting new ideas is so much fun.

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    1. Thanks. Lisa! I went by the guidelines in the pattern for choosing cup size which corresponded to my bra cup size in RTW bras, If that helps. Oh,good to know a inspiration post would be of interest to you…thanks for the feedback!

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  6. You’ve done a lovely job of tweaking this pattern to fit you perfectly Linda. Your dress looks really lovely.
    Regarding trenches…a fave subject of mine. I can highly recommend Vogue 8884. I’ve made it twice and it’s a superb design.

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    1. Thanks Diane! Oh, thanks for reminding me of your lovely trenches. I’ll have to check out your posts again. I think that’s the pattern that’s on the front of the vogue pattern magazine this month in a very striking plaid. I’ll have to give it a closer look!

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  9. I love this dress pattern. I like the skirt as you drafted it. I have not made a wrap dress in ages. This looks like a pattern that gives some nice options. Love your fabric and it so on trend for this fall.

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    1. Thank-you…It’s always nice to find a pattern where you like every view possible. The pattern will definitely be made again!

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