Learn how to make this cute DIY wrap dress. With just a few sewing basics and you can easily create your own wrap dress for Spring or Summer!
I love having pieces in my wardrobe that can be quickly thrown on in a rush out the door. This wrap dress is one of those pieces. You can be sure to get loads of wear out of this dress in the Spring and Summer time.
With just a few simple sewing skills and the Camille top pattern you will be able to create a bunch of lovely wrap dresses for your wardrobe.
Although this style of dress may look complicated its a pretty easy and quick dress to sew up. Once you get the hang of it you could easily turn out one of these in a few hours no worries!
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Pattern hacking is an exciting way to quickly make new garments from existing patterns. It’s a great idea if you already know a pattern fits you well.
This wrap dress is made by pattern hacking our Camille Top sewing pattern.
This hack makes a completely different piece, which really shows the possibilities are endless if you get creative. I personally adore wrap style pieces so this pattern hack made sense to me.
If you are new to sewing make sure you check out my free sewing course where I go through all the basic skills with you. Sewing is an exciting skill to have.
There’s nothing more exciting to me then sewing the final row of stitches on a garment. If you are a sewer I’m sure you know the feeling.
Being able to sew my own clothing and homewares is a passion of mine, one that I’m so thankful to share with you.
DIY Wrap Dress Tips:
- Use a lightweight fabric that allows lots of drape. This style will be lush and comfortable made in rayon or light cotton lawn.
- This is a DIY style so adjust the measurements to suit you best. This is just a guide. I recommend making a quick toile first to see how your bodice will sit on you.
- If you aren’t confident using chalk on fabric make a pattern first. Plus if you love this wrap dress you can easily make more with the pattern.
- Be really delicate with the front panels along the curved seam as this will stretch out easily. When baste stitching the front curves let the machine feed the fabric through. This will help prevent it from stretching. Handle with care until it’s baste stitched! You don’t want a wavy neckline…
- Find a skirt from an existing dress or skirt that’s already in your wardrobe. This is a great tip because you know you already love the shape and style.
Materials and tools:
- 2.5m lightweight fabric
- Fabric shears
- Camille top sewing pattern
- Thread
- Shirring elastic
- Pins
- Chalk
- Sewing machine
pattern hack guide:
To make this dress you will need to get yourself a copy of our Camille Top sewing pattern. I made this dress using the size 12. If you would like to make this for yourself but you’re a different size just check the fit as you sew and make adjustments accordingly.
Chose your size following the pattern guide then trace off the follow pieces with adjustments:
A= Measure down 3cm from the side notch, then in 3cm. Draw a line from the underarm seam to this point. This is the new side seam.
B= Draw new bottom seam line straight across and out 26cm from CF.
C= Measure up 6.5cm at end of the 26cm point.
D= Continue the front curve down towards point C.
E= Take off 3cm from the centre back and cut out two pieces instead of on the fold.
F= Measure 3cm down from the side seam notch and draw in new bottom seam line.
Cut two ties 11cm wide x 70cm long (4.5cm finished width).
To make the skirt I traced off a dress skirt style that I love from my existing wardrobe. This is a great idea if you have a skirt or dress you already know fits you well. I have shared the dimensions for the skirt panels above if you would like to make the same.
The fit of the skirt is lovely and floaty. It’s made up of 6 triangular panels that create a soft drape.
To make the skirt. Cut out 4 panels. Then cut out 2 more panels for the fronts of the wrap dress. You can cut these the same size as the guide or you can add some extra width to them for added wrap protection. You don’t want the dress to be splitting open at the front. I suggest making a toile to check first.
The sleeve remains exactly the same as the pattern.
How to sew a DIY wrap dress:
Sew a row of stitching along the front curved edge, 5mm from raw edge. Repeat for the other side. This will help stop the edges stretching out.
Sew the centre back together with a 1cm seam allowance and neaten the raw edges with a serger.
Join the front and back bodices right sides together at the shoulder seams with a 1cm seam.
Join the left side seams together. Overlock or serge the CB, shoulder seam and left side seams to neaten the raw edges. Also serge the right hand side seams separately.
Join the right side seam, right sides together. Leave a 4cm opening in seam about 3cm up from the bottom edge as this will be where the tie will thread through.
Fold over the neck edges along the front and back bodice 5mm and press then fold again 5mm and press. Pin in place. Carefully edge stitch down but be careful not to stretch the fabric as this will create a wavy seam.
Fold both ties in half lengthwise and press to crease. Pin along the open edge and one short side then sew around the two sides with a 1cm seam allowance.
Trim the corners off and turn through to the right sides then wiggle out the corners to get a crisp finish. Press with the iron.
Follow the sleeve instructions in the Camille pattern instructions.
Sew the skirt panels together. I placed two panels (straight edges together) for the CB then sewed the next 2 panels onto each side of the back. Then add the front two panels to either side. Serge the seams to neaten.
Fold the front skirt back 5mm twice on the open raw edge to finish the edges nicely.
Attach the skirt to the bottom of the bodice right sides together, matching up the CB seams. The rest of the seams probably won’t match up, which is fine!
Serge the bodice to skirt seam continue to neaten the entire bottom edges of the bodice to stop the raw edges from fraying.
Fold up the bottom edges of the bodice that don’t have any skirt attached by 1cm to match the seam allowance. Press to hold in place.
Fold the open ends of the ties in 1cm and press in place. Pin the end of the front bodice inside the open end of tie. Edge stitch closed. Repeat for other side.
Make sure the skirt hem is in line all the way along. You may find you need to trim off some longer bits.
Fold the bottom of the skirt up 5mm to the wrong side then again another 5mm. Press and pin in place then edge stitch the hem.
Give your dress a final press and you’re finished!
I hope you enjoyed making your own wrap dress with me. Try our wrap around skirt next!
You can also learn how to add ruffles to this dress which would look really sweet along the hem.
Other DIY Sewing Projects
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DIY Wrap Dress
Learn how to make this cute DIY wrap dress. With just a few sewing basics and you can easily create your own wrap dress for Spring or Summer!
Materials
- 2.5m Rayon fabric
- Camille top sewing pattern
- Thread
- Shirring elastic
Tools
- Pins
- Chalk
- Sewing machine
- Fabric shears
Instructions
- Sew a row of stitching along the front curved edge, 5mm from raw edge. Repeat for the other side. This will help stop the edges from stretching out.
- Sew the centre back together with a 1cm seam allowance and neaten the raw edges with a serger.
- Join the front and back bodices right sides together at the shoulder seams with a 1cm seam.
- Join the left side seams together. Overlock or serge the CB, shoulder seam and left side seams to neaten the raw edges. Also serge the right-hand side seams separately.
- Join the right side seam, right sides together. Leave a 4cm opening inseam about 3cm up from the bottom edge as this will be where the tie will thread through.
- Fold over the neck edges along the front and back bodice 5mm and press then fold again 5mm and press. Pin in place. Carefully edgestitch down but be careful not to stretch the fabric as this will create a wavy seam.
- Fold both ties in half lengthwise and press to crease. Pin along the open edge and one short side then sew around the two sides with a 1cm seam allowance.
- Trim the corners off and turn through to the right sides then wiggle out the corners to get a crisp finish. Press with the iron.
- Follow the sleeve instructions in the Camille pattern instructions.
- Sew the skirt panels together. I placed two panels (straight edges together) for the CB then sewed the next 2 panels onto each side of the back. Then add the front two panels to either side. Serge the seams to neaten.
- Fold the front skirt back 5mm twice on the open raw edge to finish the edges nicely.
- Attach the skirt to the bottom of the bodice right sides together, matching up the CB seams. The rest of the seams probably won’t match up, which is fine!
- Serge the bodice to skirt seam continue to neaten the entire bottom edges of the bodice to stop the raw edges from fraying.
- Fold up the bottom edges of the bodice that don’t have any skirt attached by 1cm to match the seam allowance. Press to hold in place.
- Fold the open ends of the ties in 1cm and press in place. Pin the end of the front bodice inside the open end of the tie. Edgestitch closed. Repeat on the other side.
- Make sure the skirt hem is in line all the way along. You may find you need to trim off some longer bits.
- Fold the bottom of the skirt up 5mm to the wrong side then again another 5mm. Press and pin in place then edge stitch the hem.
Give your dress a final press and you’re finished!
Notes
DIY WRAP DRESS TIPS:
- Use a lightweight fabric that allows lots of drape. This style will be lush and comfortable made in a rayon or light cotton lawn.
- This is a diy style so adjust the measurements to suit you best. This is just a guide. I recommend making a quick toile first to see how your bodice will sit on you.
- If you aren’t confident using chalk on fabric make a pattern first. Plus if you love this wrap dress you can easily make more with the pattern.
- Be really delicate with the front panels along the curved seam as this will stretch out easily. When baste stitching the front curve seams let the machine feed the fabric through with you guideline it. This will help prevent stretching. Handle with care until its hemmed! You don’t want a wavy neckline…
- Find a skirt from an existing dress or skirt that’s already in your wardrobe. This is a great tip because you know you already love the shape and style.