Made By A Fabricista: My Calvin Wrap Dress and Top in Chambray

We are right dab in the middle of summer and it’s still summer dress season.  I chose the Calvin Wrap Dress and Top pattern from True Bias for my last post but ended up making the McCall’s M8108 instead. Knowing the pattern I was going to use for this post, I started looking for fabric and knew I wanted to use a Chambray. Chambray is a perfect summer fabric because it’s usually light and breathable.

The Calvin Wrap Dress and Top Pattern

Ever since I saw The Calvin Wrap Dress and Top pattern making it’s rounds on the internet, I’ve liked the pattern.  I’ve also seen quiet a few people make this pattern and it’s super cute.  I’ve always wanted to make a wrap dress but have never gotten to making one until now and I think I’m in love.

This dress was very simple to make.  There are only 4 major pattern pieces and the exposed biased binding, which is my favorite part of the dress.  I made a size 16 and graded out to a size 18 at the waist based on my body measurements.  I think the pattern is true to size because I usually make a muslin with my sewing projects, and I didn’t have to make any adjustments once I made it. I love when that happens.  Since I’m a shorty, I usually have to make some sort of adjustment to the bodice length or if a dress I have to shorten it and that wasn’t the case with this pattern. 

As I mentioned, making the biased binding was my favorite part of making this dress.  I feel like the instructions are very detailed and you can do this for any of your other projects that require biased binding. 

1. You want to cut out your biased binding strip on the bias as instructed.  This pattern piece measures 1 5/8 just in case you don’t have this pattern and want to make your own bias binding.

2. If you are making long pieces of bias binding, place the ends on top of the other, right sides touching, at a 90 degree angle.  You can draw a line from one corner to the next to help you stitch the pieces together.  Sew those 2 pieces together on the diagonal using the line drawn as a guide.

3. Trim the seam allowance down without cutting through the stitches and open up your bias strip.

4. If you have a bias strip maker, feed the fabric through and press and both raw edges will meet in the middle.  If you do not have a bias strip maker, iron your bias strip in half.  Open back up and fold the outside edges towards the center fold just created and press again.

5. Now fold in ½ again and press and now you have your bias strip.

Fabric Choice

While looking for a Chambray to use for my project, I found a Navy/Off White color that I loved because it looks like denim.  I also came across a Canary/Midnight Navy and White color way and decided I was going to make the dress and the top version using both color ways.  For the dress I chose the Navy/Off White Chambray and used the other fabric to make the bias binding.  For the top I used the Navy/Off White Chambray for the back bodice and bias binding and used the Canary/Midnight Navy and White color way for the bodice.  This was another great make using the Calvin Wrap Dress/Top pattern.  I made the same sizing modifications for the top as I did for the dress and nothing else.  If I make the top again, I will make it a few inches longer.

If you’re a beginner sewist and want to give making a dress a go, then this is the pattern for you.  It’s very simple to make and you learn the skill of making your own bias binding.  You can take this new skill with you on to other sewing projects in the future.  Even if you’re a seasoned sewist, this wrap dress is a great addition to your summer wardrobe.

I hope you liked my Calvin Wrap Dress and Top from True Bias.  Make sure you follow me over on Instagram to keep up with me in between my Fabric Mart blog posts at www.instagram.com/soveryjo or head on over to my blog at www.soveryjo.com.

Until next time!

JOHANNA | @soveryjo  

---

Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: CHAMBRAY.
You can also shop our selection of True Bias Patterns HERE.