I have a new habit and you can tell me whether it is good or bad. When I get a new pattern and read the recommended fabrics and see something I am not particularly fond of – say, for example, the crepe or rayon suggested for use with this pattern – I just shrug my shoulders, screw up my nose and do whatever the hell I want. I’m a natural dissenter!
So, for this dress, I didn’t opt for the fluid and drapey fabrics that are suggested; instead, I went for the a crisp and structured cotton. I know rayon changed the clothing industry in the 1940s but stiff cottons were still a staple so I didn’t feel remotely guilty about using it for my version of the 1940s wrap dress.
As ever, I cannot fault the pattern. Sew Over It are wonderfully consistent in their sizing and their instructions are always super clear and easy to follow which always leads to a particularly pleasant sewing experience.
The dress itself has a couple of style variants – there are shorter and longer sleeves, as well as a couple of skirt lengths. I opted for the shorter in both as I’m thinking forward to the spring and summer and this floral – which was gifted by Minerva – is perfect for sunnier times. That’s not to say I won’t wear it now, layered over with some knitwear.
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One problem I did encounter was with the sleeve pieces but you can read all about that in the Minerva Makers blog if you’re interested. You can find it here.
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It’s one of those patterns that requires a bit of hand stitching, too – the entire bodice binding needs to be hand stitched (although, if you’re a rebel like me and opt for a sturdier, more forgiving fabric, you could get away with top stitching some of it) as does the inner waistband. If that wasn’t enough hand stitching, you have to sew in a couple of poppers as closures.
It’s a very pretty pattern and I dare say I will revisit it some time. The one thing I would say is, the little pleats and gathers features are less obvious in the cotton that what they would be in a more fluid fabric but I’d say it’s a small price for me to pay to stick with a natural woven fibre!