Ah, c’mon, how gorgeous is this claret jersey fabric!? I’d had 3m in my stash for a few months but kept dithering about what to sew with it. But Autumn rolled in and I found myself debating whether to turn on the heating and light a fire, taking up knitting and…Christmas. Then bingo! What I needed was a warm dress – something with sleeves – in a seasonal colour – a wrap dress; y’know, to ‘wrap up’ warm in 😉
McCalls 6884 seemed to fit the bill. I’ve sewn knit wrap dresses before (see New Look 6301 here and here) but I wanted something different with a few more design variations. I like the line drawings of 6884 – in a lighter weight jersey, the clean lines of View A with its short sleeves would make a lovely dress for Spring/Summer too. Perhaps in a lovely print.
However, for this make I wanted the longer sleeves and side gathers of View C – it makes for a sexier, more ‘va va voom’ silhouette don’t you think? And I thought a solid colour fabric would show off those gathers beautifully. Decision made!
I made this dress as this month’s make for the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network – you can read my full post – including my thoughts on fit – and access links to all the products they sent me to make it HERE.
I’ll be back very soon with some more jersey sewing. In the meantime, I hope you ‘wrap up’ warm too; I’m off to make another hot water bottle … brrr!
I’m almost done dress C. Stuck on step 14, why hem the side of front in step 2, if it’s gonna get sewed to back in step 14? Confused, need help!
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Hi Danyl…sorry it’s taken me a little while to see your message. Did you manage to figure it out in the end? Xx
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Very nice indeed- suggestion, instead of pinning the front for modesty, and pulling the neckline out of whack, try using a cami underneath, same colour or contrast. I always used cheapo vest tops form New Look with my collection of wrap dresses!
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Yeah I unpicked the handstitches there, not a good look.
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It was something I always did, now I happily flash the bra or wear a cami lol
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What a gorgeous dress, you look sensational! And that red – it’s perfect for Christmastime. And any time!
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Ooo! This is gorgeous! Who doesn’t love a wrap dress?!
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It’s so gorgeous and you look stunning!! This is a total win 😍 X
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This fabric has such a beautiful body and drape and it sits so prettily in this silhouette. You will be gorgeous in your warm dress! 🙂
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Thank you Elizabeth, what a lovely thing to say! Xx
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beautiful feminine styled red dress.
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Thank you so much Sonja xx
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Beautiful dress Sarah. Perfect fabric with just the right amount of drape.
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Thanks Janet – I was worried it was going to be too heavy but it was fine – though I’ll definitely size down one more size next time I think! Xx
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That red is so gorgeous. I love a good red dress, they’re always good to turn to when you want a bright day. It looks great! 👍 ❤️
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Thanks Emma and I totally agree, whip on a bit of red lippie too and your day is altogether brighter straight away!! 🤣😘
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Definitely va va voom, you look gorgeous! The colour suits you so well, and the style really jazzes up a simple shape. Fab dress for Autumn (though I am doggedly insisting it’s “late summer” even though this means I am FREEZING every time I leave the house!!)
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Thanks Helen m’dearie!!! Oh tell me about it! I keep wanting to turn the Rayburn on but the Hubbie insists we can’t until the clocks change! Gah! 🤣
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Gorgeous! I must try this pattern. Those gathers really make it something special 🙂
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Thank you Anna-Jo, they’re a nice touch aren’t they and I figure they’ll be good for hiding binges at Christmas! 😉😘
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Hehe, I like your thinking! X
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Va va voom, indeed! Lovely dress!
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Hehehehe thanks Kalimak! Xx
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Gorgeous and sexy! Love the drape, colour and side gathers. I haven’t made a wrap anything yet – I’ve been eyeing a couple of patterns I have for a wrap but getting that cross over just right so it’s not too tight and doesn’t gape is a little intimidating. I was a gathering yesterday at our local fabric shop (Gala Fabrics in Victoria BC Canada) where Marilyn (amazing sewist and distributer of the Sewing Workshop patterns) was giving a fashion show of their patterns. I always love these events and of course leave with a few patterns to add to my alarming and fast growing accumulation! 2 coat patterns in tow that I’m pretty excited about 🙂 plus a long sleeve jersey/sweater.
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I love your comments Kathleen! Yeah the wrap doesn’t sit tight enough for my liking with this one – easy enough to sort out for next time I guess. Oooooh coat patterns, I haven’t done one yet so good on you!!! It’s hard to stop buying patterns isn’t it! Xx
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I love this, I have been thinking about a wrap dress after sorting through my stash and finding what I think will be perfect fabric! Will look this pattern up, thanks Sarah X
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Oh brill, thanks Maxine! Just be aware of perhaps sizing down one or two sizes or adding a band to that front crossover just to get it to ‘snap’ more xx
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No need to look frumpy when the weather takes a turn for the worse when you can look foxy instead. The fabric choice is perfect, both for it’s flattering drape and the vibrant colour. You look gorgeous Sarah. Well done for creating this wonderful example of a must have wardrobe essential to combat the Autumn chill. 🍁🍂 x
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Aw thanks Janet – lovely comment!! Best way to beat the grey days eh?! Xx
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Looks wonderful and just perfect for this weather! I’m going to sew some knit dresses too, definitely the time of year ☺
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Thank you! Oh what patterns are you looking at sewing? X
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Love, love, loooove!! 😍 I think this will be inspiring many to ‘wrap up’ warm with you this Autumn 😉
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Cheers Kari! I guess it’s getting warmer where you are though eh? Hope life’s treating you well xx
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The sun is slowly starting to shine through, both literally and metaphorically 🤣🤣 Am dying to get some sewing time! Xxx
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I love it! We must be thinking along the same wavelengths as I am making a couple of autumn wrap dresses too! They are just so comfy aren’t they 😍 definitely a good choice on the gathers, they are really flattering 👌🏻👌🏻
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Cheers Sarah – can’t go wrong with a wrap dress really can you!! Oooh I’m looking forward to seeing your soon on one though though! Xx
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Ooh, this looks gorgeous Sarah! What a great colour too.
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Thank you Diane! I feel quite Christmassy in it – bit early for that though eh! X
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