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Made by a Fabricista: Diane's Border Print Wrap Dress

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When I was little, I loved when my mom took me to the fabric store in the pink building (by the way, my kids have never "loved" going to the fabric store).  I would go up and down the aisles with my hands outstretched so I could feel the fabrics.  My love for fabrics started when I was very young and I admit, I can get nostalgic about fabrics.


My mom was a sewer and I remember many of the things she made, but one blouse in particular really impressed me.  She took a design class at a local college when I was 7 or 8 years old and made a two color tunic with an ogee print at the neckline and on the cuffs.  I thought she looked beautiful in it! When I saw this cotton print on Fabric Mart's website, it took me back to that blouse and I knew I had to have this fabric.


Border prints can be scary for sewers because we never know what to make with them aside from the typical dirndl skirt with the border at the hem.  When I saw this black and magenta ogee print with hot pink floral border I knew I wouldn't use it as a border on a skirt, but I would put it on the neckline....just like my mom did.
I used new McCall’s pattern 7119, view C, a maxi wrap dress with short sleeves.  I chose it in part because it has a neckband with a shape that would fit within the width of the border but also because a wrap dress is really comfortable.


It can be difficult to determine how much fabric is needed on a border print so a little extra is always a good idea.  I ordered 4 yards and used all of the border print (down to 2”!) primarily because the waist ties are very long.  However, I have plenty of black fabric left over to make another small project.
The dress went together quickly and the instructions were well written.  I chopped the maxi length to a midi length because making the dress go all the way to the floor would've looked heavy.  This pattern is a great choice for a beginning/intermediate sewist and certainly something I will make again.  

This is my first dress of the season and I'm looking forward to making it again.  Next time I'll make the sleeveless version because I know some hot weather is on the way.  


Do you have any summer dress patterns on your cutting table?  I'd love to know what you're making.

Happy Sewing!  
Diane - Gatorbunnysews

Comments

  1. UnknownApril 14, 2015 at 8:57 AM

    What a lovely dress - and the fit is divine! A great way to use a border print, and you are right - so nice to think of an option besides the usual skirt.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Arlene's BagsApril 14, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    Your new dress looks beautiful!!!!
    Do you any tips to avoid gaposis which is my main issue with wrap dresses?
    Thanks so much for your post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousApril 14, 2015 at 2:27 PM

    Lovely dress that looks spectacular on you. I saw this fabric and wondered how best to use it - now I know. Very well done!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnneApril 14, 2015 at 6:10 PM

    Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ann BrodskyApril 15, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    Beautiful dress! Great use of the border fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  6. bpatricia74April 20, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    Very nice!!!! You look great. Thanks for sharing your childhood memories of your mom sewing and shopping at the fabric store. Those were some good times for me too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jane MApril 23, 2015 at 10:28 AM

    I still love feeling fabric before I even look at the possibilities for sewing projects. Love this dress on you and it's a perfect partner of fabric and pattern.

    ReplyDelete

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