I'm eight years late to the party with this pattern from 2008. It's a designer pattern from DKNY and is still in print. I don't think knit wrap dresses ever go out of style. This dress is drafted to be quite a bit longer, but I wanted more of a casual look, so I cut it out to fall right below the knee.
The fabric was an impulse buy from JoAnn's and is a rayon/polyester blend. I rarely get fabric there anymore but I was running in during a pattern sale and stopped in my tracks when I spotted it. The colors are SO saturated and practically glow in person. I'd never seen anything like it.
After doing some pattern research on patternreview.com, I decided to cut the size 8. My typical Vogue size in knits is a 10, so this design runs a little big. I added 1.5" to the length of the bodice before cutting out my fabric. The belt is drafted to sit above the waistline which I didn't want, and I have a long torso.
The pattern of the fabric looked random when I bought it but when I went to cut it out I found that there was a definite line of symmetry down the middle. Luckily I had purchased enough to accommodate this mirroring.
I added 3/8" clear elastic to the neckline to prevent any gapping. I can bend over and grab things without exposing anything so that decision was a total win. The armholes are finished with shaped facings included with the pattern which I quite like. There is also a piece of elastic sewn under the belt which keeps the dress right at the waist. This fabric is white on the wrong side, so my belt was stitched right sides together and turned, which also saved me from having to topstitch on a single layer of knit.
I enjoy wearing comfortable day dresses during the summer, and I'm happy to add another one to my wardrobe. I will definitely be using this pattern again in the future. Now that I've got the fit down and have more experience with putting elastic in necklines, the next one should be a really quick project.
What a pretty dress! I see the pattern mirroring on the back, which adds some pizzazz to your dress. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks R Trittel!
DeleteWhat a captivating fabric! You look very lovely
ReplyDeleteThank you Tasha!
DeleteBeautiful dress, Amanda! I would never guess the fabric came from JoAnn's.
ReplyDeleteDid the pattern instructions state to use the 3/8" elastic or did you know to do this? I'd like to learn more about using clear elastic for these purposes.
Thanks Sarah! I believe I read online that someone added elastic to their neckline while making this dress. I've also always wanted to try it. Bias tape use to be my method of choice for these kinds of dressed but it's always so fiddly.
DeleteI love the way you used the mirror pattern of the print.
ReplyDeleteGreat dress!
Thanks Robin!
DeleteLOVE all that color!!! beautiful as always.
ReplyDeleteWe are both lovers of color! Thanks Marcy!
DeleteGorgeous! What a great dress to have for the summer. I don't know why I don't have this pattern...
ReplyDeleteThank you Margo! I can totally see you in this pattern too. I think you need to make one. ;)
Deletehola, te sigo desde hace tiempo desde un pueblo de Castellos, EspaƱa y me encanta lo que haces, lo bien que te queda. Saludos
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia!
DeleteVery cute! It looks perfect for summer days.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenny!
Deletevery cute and I know exactly what you mean, I have some Vogue patterns that seemed so necessary at the time of purchase and have never sewn up - this one included. I like the adjustment you did at the waist, it seems high. Definitely sew it up again :)
ReplyDeleteOh I have plans to make all the designer patterns I've accumulated, provided they don't go out of style before I get to them. ;) I also bought this pattern pretty recently after seeing someone make it up online, so it hasn't been in my stash for 8 years. Although I'm sure I've got some in there that I've had for that long.
DeleteThis is so great! Also the fabric. I a dress, but no, it's not for me. It looks great on you and i love the colors.
ReplyDeleteLet summer start!
Wilma
You've got to wear what you feel comfortable in. Thanks Wilma!
DeleteBeautiful dress.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy!
DeleteBeautiful dress and I love the vibrant colors of the fabric.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tomasa! I'm such a magpie for color!
DeleteI think we all buy patterns because we love them - then let them sit - sometimes for years. So, Amanda, you are not alone in stashing patterns but so glad you finally made this one up. It's a winner! Karen
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen!
Deletelove the rich colours in the fabric, it looks great in this wrap dress and the pattern symmetry you did on the back looks fantastic ;o)
ReplyDeleteThank you Colesworth! There's that same symmetry on the front as well but it gets mostly covered up by the belt.
DeleteA very cute dress! Love how the back looks with the pattern alignment!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa!
DeleteIt looks lovely especially the length. Ive made this, and found it too full, and also gaping. Your idea with elastic and the shorter length has made me rethink about this pattern again, thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you Louise! I stole the elastic idea from someone else, but it just makes sense for a dress with so much weight from the skirt.
DeleteYour dress is beautiful and looks very fresh in style regardless of the year. I was wondering if you enclosed the elastic when you folded the neckline over or is the elastic exposed to your skin?
ReplyDeleteThe elastic was basted the the wrong side of the front, and then I folded it to the inside and topstitched with a twin needle. So no, it's not exposed to my skin. Probably I should have snapped some inside pictures. Thanks for your question, Anna!
DeleteVery nice. Great job with pattern placement, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan!
DeleteThat is stunning fabric, I can see why it caught your eye. This is one of the few DK patterns I don't have from that era and I don't know why, it's a great dress! I should pick it up before it does go OOP.
ReplyDeleteThanks Allison! I can totally see you wearing this design so I agree, you should totally buy it before it goes OOP!
DeleteI swear I already commented on this! Never mind. Still a fabulous dress on you. Perfect fit and great fabric.
ReplyDeleteThank you Manju!
DeleteBeautiful! I love this pattern and you have really done it justice here.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sew Hopeful!
DeleteI adore this on you!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vanessa!
DeleteThank you McVal!
ReplyDeleteLove the dress. How do you hem the dress on the machine without it getting stretched out?
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia! I use a wide twin needle and a 4mm stitch length when hemming knits. I don't pull at the fabric while guiding it through my machine, and have had no issues with wobbly hems.
DeleteIt's lovely! and I see what you mean about that print, it's FABULOUS!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn!
DeleteGorgeous dress and fabric ! Love this on you and your last dress! TDF!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Diana!
Delete