Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Wraparound Dress by Carolina Fair Designs (with Giveaway!)

This past winter when we were completely snowed in, I wanted to sew really badly. I had some great fabric but I didn't have any good patterns to work with. So I searched Etsy and bought a few things. The first pattern to arrive in my inbox was this super cute dress by Carolina Fair Designs. I printed it out and taped together what I needed.

I only had 1/2 yard of each of these Petite Ecole fabrics from Kokka so I sliced apart the pattern at the shoulder seam and added a seam allowance. I think it adds a nice dimension to the dress. But what makes this pattern great is that you don't actually have to do any construction. The basic shape of the dress is cut from one piece of fabric. All you have to do is apply the bias tape and you're done. It should be quick and painless (unless you're me and have to learn the hard way).

As you can see, my finished product is a bit different than the original design. Remember my disastrous bias tape experiment? Well, I never did get it the way I wanted so I created a blend of a hem facing and a lining for the top of the dress using the dress I had made as the pattern (my bias tape situation had gone so awry that I had to cut out the cute little button detail). Had I not completely altered the neckline with my mistakes, I could have just used the original paper pattern.

Normally you would do a facing for the bottom hem of a shirt or skirt that has too much curve to it (a roll hem will just bunch up unless you have mad skills). Basically you're stitching the main garment to an identical lining piece (right sides together), clipping the curves and turning it inside out. Topstitch when you're finished to give it that more polished and professional look (I like using a contrasting color when I do my topstitching because it adds some visual interest). I did all that before I added the bias tape edge to finish the dress. If this makes absolutely no sense and you want me to explain it further, let me know and I'll make another one of these cute dresses and do a tutorial for you now that I have it all figured out.

Finally, I added this cute little pocket. I was going to buy a $7 wooden school bus button that Kokka also created as part of this line but thought that would be insane and added this adorable tape detail instead. It cost much less and I still have a lot of it to work with. I do have a good bit of the trim and the fabric left so I will be doing something else with it in the future.

SORRY. COMMENTS ARE CLOSED. WINNERS HAVE BEEN PICKED.

So now, on to the good stuff:
Caroline of Carolina Fair Designs and I have kept up our correspondence since my initial purchase of the pattern. I asked her if she wanted to giveaway one of these patterns on this blog and she said actually, she would give two! To enter, go to her website and take a look at the patterns. Leave a comment on this post stating which one you would like (we will not hold you to that decision, you can change your mind). Tomorrow, I'm going to post about the Pretty Pinafore pattern (in which I actually follow the rules). Enter again on tomorrow's post. I'll pick winners on Monday, August 16.

And make sure we can find you! Leave your email address or a link to a way to contact you. Thanks!

19 comments:

DarleneLee said...

I love this pattern and would like to see you do the other one also. I think I would choose the wrap around pattern but not 100% for sure untill I see the other one done.

EverSewSweet said...

Ooh!!! I want the Wraparound Dress pattern! I have an almost 2-year-old and mountains of cute fabrics. I can be reached at EverSewSweet@gmail.com Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Love it! Really like the way this turned out. I think your fabric really makes it!

Beth said...

the wrap around dress is super cute! and the bolero pattern makes me wish I had a little girl to sew for. What a great giveaway and feature!

Cristy Kumfer said...

You have the best dressed kid! ;) Hmmmm......I think I'm loving the little bolero button jacket and I'm definitely intrigued by how easy it's supposed to be to make.

charcharr said...

pretty pinafore all the way!

rads said...

very pretty

radiyas at gmail dot com

WWJFD said...

Beth, you keep inspiring me! I can't wait to see the Pinafore dress.

I would <3 the Pinafore pattern--my niece just turned one.

Unknown said...

i love the pretty pinafore!im inlove with the dress eversince i saw this in carolina fair designs' website and to her facebook page.even saw the video on youtube on how to sew this dress!really want this pattern..

Katielin317 said...

this is so cute! You did a great job. As for the giveaway? Pretty sureI would have to get my hands on the wrap pattern. WAY too cute! And it really does look so simple!

bagfashionista said...

the bolero is really cute, as is the dress.

tumbleweedsandtwisters said...

I've made the Pretty Pinafore pattern and loved it, but I think you've now convinced me to do the wrap around dress!

Rachel said...

I love the pretty pinafore dress, but also the button up bolero.

rachel (dot) runner (at) gmail.com

Steph said...

This is so cute! Nice job (nice improvisation on the neck too).

I think the pinafore dress is my favorite pattern - easy to make, easy to layer, wearable for a long time.

tragicallyordinary at gmail dot com.

mon ami said...

I really love your fabric choices for this dress! Especially the matching tape details - so good and so much more economical then the button option;)

This pattern is lovely and the simplicity does a great job of letting the fabric stand out without feeling too fussy.

I love it and thanks for sharing!

(p.s. I am a sucker for the pinafore dress so if I won I woudl choose the pretty pinafore pattern)

Meg said...

What cute patterns! I love the wraparound dress though! Thanks!

mvansciver at gmail.com

Jen said...

This is such a cute dress. I would choose the wraparound dress because it seems doable (with a minimal amount of cursing) for my mediocre sewing skills! :o)

ohno,nobiscuit said...

THAT IS GORGEOUS!

I know I keep saying this, but make one in my size!

bless their hearts mom said...

love the fabric! Adore the tape across the pocket- very cute!

LOVE this pattern!