Sign In
Detail Inspiration: Wrap Dresses
The humble wrap dress can often be overlooked as far as variation possibilities because it’s such a utilitarian design. But simple doesn’t have to mean boring! I pulled a few favorite ideas for wrap dresses that I think would work beautifully with the Crepe pattern with a little tweaking. This pattern is perfect whether you’re heading into cooler months (pair with a cardigan and some bright tights) or summertime…
Who said a wrap dress just has to be for daywear? I love this 1950s silk example of a dressier wrap. The slubbed silk adds elegance to the design, while still staying very classic. Did you see those tassels on the waist sash? What a great idea for dressing up a wrap! (And would look even more dressy with beaded tassels.)
Including this might be cheating a bit, but I wanted to show how to apply rick-rack to a wrap dress neckline in a way that doesn’t scream “rick-rack”! Using self-fabric, bias strips applied over half the rick-rack gives it a less recognizable look and tones it down. This would also be a charming embellishment (though require a bit more bias strips!) around the hemline of the Crepe. (Learn how to make your own bias tape here.)
Finally, one of my favorites! Have you ever thought about adding a collar to the Crepe? Drafting a Peter Pan style collar is quite easy, and requires only a little extra material and time for construction. The best part is that the collar is extended to the back, which would be easy to do with the Crepe as well. It’s these little details that count!
Images: 1950s silk wrap dress, purple Swirl dress, 50s collared Swirl dress.
Comments
Cyndi
October 24, 2012 #
What great timing! I am just getting ready to start on a Crepe Dress and was daydreaming about possible embellishments for it. My 1st (yes, I already foresee more than one) will be out of a light brown linen – maybe some simple embroidery around the sweetheart neckline??
I do love the silk version & the collar on your selections above!
Graca
October 24, 2012 #
I love this dress pattern. I have the Crepe pattern and when I made it I did not cut it in the proper size so it was an epic fail. I cut it too big. Totally my fault (I should have made a muslin). But it is still on my want to make list. The yellow 1950s inspiration with the sleeves is lovely. I have a grey and black striped silk set aside. Someday soon.
jen
October 24, 2012 #
I’ve started the Crepe with some extra fancies on the bodice (which just so happens includes rick rack but hopefully not in the “rick-rack!” way). I’ll send you a link to the photo when I finish it!
Gail Thompson
October 24, 2012 #
Brilliant!!
Amanda
October 24, 2012 #
I love this! That silk version is incredible. Wrap dresses are probably the easiest, no-fuss dress in the world to wear (“easy” is my style). :)
I’m thinking I need a silk dupioni Crepe in my future!
Thanks so much for this!
Rochelle New
October 24, 2012 #
Great dresses, I love them all! The little tuck detail at the shoulders of the first dress is especially pretty. Usually I associate wrap dresses with casual, but I’m loving the more formal look! Great inspiration.
Clare
October 25, 2012 #
Oh that crepe pattern looks beautiful! Would the pattern be difficult to alter so the wrap was at the front? I love wrap dresses just because I can usually get them to fit my ‘fuller figure’ better!
:)
Cheryl
October 28, 2012 #
Love the 50’s dress! It would fit in with my philosophy of simple elegance so perfectly. It may just make it onto my must make list!
Jason
June 15, 2013 #
I realize this thread is sort of old, but…
I just made the Crepe pattern, my very first attemp at a dress. Actually, first attempt at anything. And it came out fine, except – I’m confused as to the proper location of the waist ties. The pattern says to attach both of them where the neck facing meets the waist. The instructions seem to be identical for both waist ties. I went ahead and attached both ties to each end of the bodice without thinking, and of course discovered that the arrangement rendered one of the ties unavailable. You cant tie the dress closed because one of the ties is under the overlapping end of the bodice. It appears from pictures that some folks have attached one tie to the side seam, and that seems like a fine solution, I’m just wondering what the intended placement is…
thanks,
Jason
Sarai
June 17, 2013 #
Hi Jason. It sounds like you may have missed an instruction. On one side seam, you should leave an opening (there’s a circle to mark it). This creates a a “hole” in one side of the dress, and the tie attached to the underlap slips through this hole.
Jason
June 17, 2013 #
There it is, page 14! Thanks!