The pattern comes as paper and PDF pattern from Allie Olson who runs Indie Sews. As per my usual preference, I chose the PDF pattern. The Highlands Wrap Dress is a woven, V-neck wrap dress with two lengths and a sleeveless option.
I made three versions already this summer. Thanks to the summer competition #sewtogetherforsummer. All three versions are made of different fabrics and due to fabric structure and drape look very different. My very first version, which was supposed to be a toile as the pattern was new to me, I used a black and white floral cotton lawn from a local shop here in Dubai. For the second dress, I used a Linen Viscose in white & cornflower blue from John Kaldor. With this version, I learned the difference between Linen Viscose and Viscose Linen. My fabric has a higher Linen than Viscose content hence it doesn't drape as much. And my last and more recent version I used a white tropical print Rayon from a local shop.
The sewing instructions are very easy to follow and super straight forward. This pattern can be tackled by a advanced beginner if used cotton lawn and a more experienced sewist if you want to challenge yourself with a more drapey fabric. I reckon, it took me about 7 to 9 hours of sewing and cutting time.
The pattern comes in sizes 0 - 18 and I made a size 14. The toile, I made straight without any alternations and the front is gapping and I have to wear the dress with a safety pin to avoid showing my bra. For my second dress, I took up the shoulder seams to try and help with the gapping but this alteration wasn't entirely successful. For the last version, I cut the back piece in two pieces for two reasons: 1. I didn't have enough fabric to cut on fold and 2. to take out 1" graded into the centre back seam. Taking out a full inch, definetly helped with the gapping at the wrap and now no bra is showing :)
The pattern comes as a layered PDF which means you can print the size you need and only have that exact size to cut. I cut the midi length version and had a maxi dress for my black & white floral dress. Due to not enough fabric for my second dress, I had to shorten the Linen Viscose version by 3'' which is my standard alteration for any skirt pieces or pants as I am 5'2''. With this alteration the dress is now midi length for me :) I did the same for the Rayon tropical version.
As mentioned above the instructions are straight forward and the dress sews very easy together. The instructions provide illustrations which are very clear - and some of the best I have ever used.
I particularly like the wide visible seam allowances on the hem, neckline as well as armholes or sleeve hem.
For the first two versions I opted for the sleeveless dress and my last one has sleeves. Thumbs up for the best sleeve insertion I have ever managed. I am not sure why that is but considering Rayon is a super slippery fabric, I had no puckering and didn't have to unpick once. Unlike another dress pattern, I made a week earlier and I had to unpick one of the sleeves twice. I reckon the armsyce is drafted differently to better fit the sleeve into it.
I think three dresses of this pattern are enough for now but if ever I fancy another wrap dress to quickly sew for a special occassion, this will be my pattern.
What's your favourite wrap dress pattern you made many of? Did you make it in different fabrics to get different variations and styles?
Thanks for hanging out with me.
