Not sure how it happens but sometimes I go through periods when I seem to be obsessed by certain types of garments. Recently, it’s been wrap dresses. Well it’s been going on for a few years really, but who’s keeping score not me…

Anyhow, you know that feeling when you get a fabric and you have no plans for it, but then the fabric speaks to you, telling you what it wants to become? The fabric I chose to make the wrap dress I’m talking about today was like that. The fabric inspired the pattern I chose.

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From this pattern I really like the contrast on view A, however, the sleeveless bodice does not really suit me much as I need to wear a bra and I don’t like the straps showing. The main reason I actually got this McCalls M7119 pattern was the high to low skirt from view B. As I am quite short I don’t always like how I look wearing a maxi skirt, but with a high to low skirt I can show a little leg and wear a longer skirt, which balances the look on my short frame.

I knew the moment I got this lovely turquoise soft crepe* that I’ll make a dress for the summer even if outside it was snowing. For my dress I chose to make a combination of views A,B and D. For the contrast neckband and tie I used royal blue papertouch cotton*.

For more details about the soft-crepe please check out my post on Minerva website – here*.

Sewing Summary:

Pattern: McCalls 7119 – Wrap dresses have bands, fitted bodice, gathered back neckline, tie ends, skirt (semi-fitted through hips) variations, and narrow hem. A and B: Bias armhole facings. B: Shaped hemline, wrong side shows. C: Short sleeves. D: Elasticized sleeves. C and D: Gathered sleeve cap. Designed for medium-weight wovens. 

Sizing: US 6-14 and US 14-22

Fabric: 2.5 m turquoise soft crepe* 1.5 m royal blue papertouch cotton*

Notions: 0.7 m ivory cotton interfacing*

Modifications: cut size 14, to account for my height (5ft2) and to allow me to wear the dress without hills as well, after I applied a 1,5 cm swayback adjustment I also shortened the skirt by 10 cm at the centre back and 5 cm at the center front going into 10 cm at the side seam. I added inseam pockets as the pattern does not have them and I want them in my dress ( downloaded mine from SewStylish and added seam allowance)

Instructions: Did not use them much, just to check seam allowances,

Fit: fit is ok. I am not too happy about the short sleeve, I feel they are too bit. This is a problem I normally have with most short sleeves like this. To fix the issue I’ll add an inverted box pleat.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?: Yes, even with all the changes I made to the pattern the dress looks like the pattern envelope.

Make Again?: For sure, I’ll make it again but with long sleeves or shorten the long sleeves to 3/4 or elbow length.

With this fabric my mood lifts straight away and makes me dream of summer and the beach, do I can wear this dress all the time. I am really glad that on a whim I shortened the back by 10 cm. It means I can wear the dress bear footed or use flats and it will not touch the ground.