Wrap dress for rehearsal dinner

[cgmemphis]

Finally finished the knit wrap dress I've been working on forever it seems. Basically redrew the pattern, but I am happy with the outcome! Not sure if I want to keep the neckline, cuffs, etc., banded, or if I want to add the collar and cuffs for more of a retro DVF wrap dress look. Basted them so you could see what it would look like. Let me know what you think. This is for a rehearsal dinner (my SO's son). Next, I need to make the outfit I plan to wear to the wedding.

[cgmemphis]

I think I finally figured out how to load pictures. We'll see

[LeapFrog Libby]

I like it.. I think it looks great. Congrats on mastering adding photos. Wish I could master that ..

[MartySews2]

Cheryl, it looks great!!! I like it with the band and cuffs as it gives it that designer detail. Also, I like your choice of fabric.
Marty

[Skye]

lovely dress. Really like the cuffs , fun fabric too.
Whether to leave the bands depends on how it looks on you. On me the bands would make my bust look bigger.
Did I say I like the dress

[cgmemphis]

Thanks everybody! Collar and cuffs it will be!

[sewingrandma]

Like the collar and cuffs too. Love the print, fun but dressy too.

[sewingmom]

The dress is very pretty with timeless elegance.
Belinda

[kaitlinnegan]

What a lovely dress. What is the pattern? I am a sucker for a wrap neckline, but sometimes find it difficult to get the depth of the V right (not too high, not too low). This one looks just right (on the mannequin at least).

With the print, the collar and cuffs don't stand out much -- I'm sure the dress will look great either way, but is it just as easy to leave them off?

[cgmemphis]

Pattern is Butterick 5030, which is for wovens mainly, so I basically had to redraw the pattern for knits and for my shoulders, etc. Because it was knit, I did not follow the pattern sequence or the techniques. Instead of facings along the neckline and skirt fronts and 3/4 sleeves, I used the neck band technique (Sarah Veblen's YouTube tutorial) which added an inch to the front and helped with some modesty . With this fabric, it ironed down great and I did not have to topstitch the seam on the neck band. Also, used the flat construction method on the sleeves, with using Margaret Tully's tip of sewing with the sleeve cap side down and using normal differential feed on the serger until I got to the notches where the ease kicks in, and then I went up a level on the diff feed so it would ease in. Took about 20 inches off the fullness of the skirt. Coverstitched the hem. The fabric was real squirrelly (95 rayon/5 Spandex), so I would recommend a more stable fabric. Used all 3 machines on this dress, sewing, serger, and coverstitch. I did lots of hand basting and Wonder Tape. My next wrap dress will be StyleArc Kate (which is on the slow boat from Australia as we speak--LOL!) I think it would be an easier pattern to sew had I used woven fabric. Rehearsal dinner is 09/12/14, so I will post a rehearsal dinner pic wearing it.