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Made By A Fabricista: The Westcliff Dress

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Hello friends.  Do you love a wrap dress? 

This is Byrd, your curvy sewist and I am back with my latest Fabricista make.  The re-release of DVF Diane von Furstenberg’s Wrap Dress has everyone pulling out their favorite wrap dress patterns.  The DVF was initially released in 1974 and re-issued earlier this year.  If you love a wrap dress, you will love the Friday Pattern Company Westcliff Dress.  It is a size-inclusive beginner-friendly faux wrap dress with a tie belt that runs from XS to 4X.  My Westcliff is sewn up in Fabric Mart’s cotton lycra painterly floral knit.  

Fabric Mart’s cotton lycra is perfect for a spring or summer wrap dress.  It’s lightweight and breathable with a soft drape and excellent recovery. The fabric has gorgeous light lime green, white and purple flowers set against a light gray backdrop.  

The fabric is easy to cut and sew.  To keep fabric from slipping, use pins or clips as you sew together layers of fabric.  You can use a serger/overlocker, stretch stitch or a narrow zig-zag stitch to sew up the Westcliff.  After washing and drying my fabric, I didn’t notice any shrinkage or fraying but recommend overlocking your raw edges. 


The Friday Pattern Company instruction booklet is detailed and easy to follow. I appreciate the detailed finished garment measurements chart which included measurements for your bust, waist, hips and biceps.  

My measurements are bust 42, waist 37 and hips 47.  I cut an XL at the bust and graded to XXL at the hips..  There are two bust cup sizes to choose from - B and D cups.  I graded between the two.  I like the tie belt and the way it cinches in the waistline; however, I widened the belt and added interfacing for a more stable and structured look.  I like the tiny gathers at the front bodice and the clean binding finishings.  There is an optional bottom ruffle and a faux wrap top version.


A good fit is so important.  Before closing and sewing the front bodice at the waistline, try it on several times and make necessary adjustments. This is also a good time to shorten the waist if needed.  The fit for me was spot on and no modifications were needed.  

I styled my Westcliff with a pair of light gray platform sandals.  The dress is easy to make and super cute - two of my favorite things.  Right after sewing this up, I dropped my new dress in my luggage for my 20th wedding anniversary getaway.  

Thank you for reading!  

Until next time, happy sewing,

BYRD  | @yogabyrdsews

You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: COTTON & KNITS.

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 15, 2024 at 1:41 PM

    You look lovely in the dress. Love your shoes. Happy anniversary! Thanks for sharing a new to me pattern.

    ReplyDelete

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