06 Jan New Look 6581
Greetings on this twelfth and last day of Christmas!
After a complicated year I was craving a simple project, not to mention an unstructured garment following holiday indulgences. 😉
I’m a lover of the classic wrap dress, and enjoy trying new patterns. This time I reached for New Look 6581.
I was game to try the midi pattern length …….. but it’s just not me.
Better.
I’m not opposed to wearing the midi length, but at 5′ 2″ balancing the proportions of a long dress can be a challenge. Here it worked, since the empire waist created a longer silhouette.
Thanks to our forty days of fog, rain and clouds I could not see beyond gray, but if you zoom in on the photo you can see the slight metallic sheen of this casual jersey.
The fabric is from Five Eighth Seams in Charleston, SC. Since my daughter is now living in Charleston, I have easier access to this lovely brick and mortar fabric store which is also a PFAFF dealer. Stop by if you’re ever in the Charleston area ~ the store features a nice selection of casual fashion fabrics, indie patterns and classes in addition to the machines. It’s truly a full service sewing store.
The jersey had a roll factor to tame. By applying a one-inch strip of lightweight knit interfacing to the hem, I was able to stabilize the fabric. After applying the interfacing I finished the lower edge on the serger before turning and stitching.
If you’re dying to watch me explain the process, click on the video from It’s Sew Easy which aired in the fall. (minus finishing the edge on the serger)
Taking photos of a wrap dress on a windy day had its challenges,
so we regrouped and tried again today.
After finishing the dress, I could not understand why the pattern was designed with such narrow ties, but in reviewing the first set of photos, I re-tied the skinny ties in line with the wrap for a more flattering style and better understanding of the design.
‘Make It Work’ should be at the heart of every sewist’s philosophy! Were it not at mine, I’d have a stack of wadders, but more importantly, I would have missed several creative opportunities and learned very little.
Until soon 😊
PS….. don’t forget your Eloflex Thread with sewing with knits!
Molly Hayden
Posted at 14:16h, 06 JanuaryLove the dress and your finishing tips. I have never heard of that thread before. Is it similar to wooly nylon thread? Five Eighths is a wonderful shop, I remember meeting the owners in Las Vegas at a fabric show when they were just starting out. Wonderful ladies! Thank you for sharing.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:14h, 06 JanuaryMolly,
This link tells you everything you need to know about Eloflex, the stretchable thread☺️ http://www.makeitcoats.com/us/new-eloflex-for-knits/
I too, love the ladies at Five Eighth Seams.
Debbie Bowdish
Posted at 14:19h, 06 JanuaryIt’s lovely, Sarah, and an inspiration to begin sewing again for myself. Your location for photos was perfect
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:09h, 06 JanuaryThank you, Debbie! So much gorgeous natural lighting at the church 😉
Gail Cunningham
Posted at 14:23h, 06 JanuaryThat is the perfect dress…I love how it looks on you. Your talent inspires me!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:09h, 06 JanuaryMany thanks, Gail. It’s casual, easy and one that I’ll wear 😉
Kathleen-Marie Tracey
Posted at 14:50h, 06 JanuaryLovely dress … wraps are a nice *go to* wardrobe basic.. Is there any special advice for holding the cross-over at the breast? Sometimes this area can be problematic. There is a *hack* for keeping the dress in place on those windy days and such … but, I do not recall it at the moment. Of course, the seamstress never make mis-takes; we only introduce adjustments to design.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:12h, 06 JanuaryI should have mentioned this in the post, Kathleen-Marie!
Pin the bodice to your bra before crossing over the top layer.. It works like a charm 😉
Christine Johnson
Posted at 15:21h, 06 JanuaryAs always, your blog posts are inspiring and your teachable moments are welcomed, as they add so much to the construction and wearability aspects of what we sew. I love, the “make it work:” concept that provides perspective to perfection. Yes, this dress is gorgeous on you and such a simple-is-elegant pattern choice.
I want to add how important both your first and second RTW Fasts have been to my sewing and to widening the sewing community that feeds my soul. While I sewed more than I posted, it’s only because the last half of this year has been fraught with overcoming and adjusting to life with an autoimmune disease, The prednisone treatment is indispensable to any potential recovery; yet it comes with its own set of miserable side-effects and a longterm reduction process. Nonetheless, my sewing and fasting continue, just at a slower pace. This too shall pass!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:41h, 06 JanuaryChristine,
Thank you so much for sharing your situation with me. I’ve so enjoyed getting to know you online and have loved following your sewing journey! One of my daughters was off and on prednisone for years and I’m well aware of it aggravating side effects. I hope your recovery is a quick one and I look forward to seeing your back online when you’re up to it 😉
Marianne Johansson
Posted at 15:23h, 06 JanuaryLovely !!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:42h, 06 JanuaryThank you, Marianne!
Donna Trask
Posted at 15:29h, 06 JanuaryLoved your video and appreciate you sharing the link. . Do you have a recommendation for type of needle to use with knits and eloflex thread?
So glad you’re back – you’ve been missed!!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:37h, 06 JanuaryThank you so much, Donna. Coats and Clark recommends a size 11 ball-point or universal point needle. I always start with this, but for the scuba knit I used a larger needle size. Trial and error……… 😉
Kati
Posted at 04:52h, 13 JanuaryThanks, I was about to ask the same question. I live in the UK and can honestly say it seems like a nightmare trying to find decent fabric and Eloflex thread (just ordered some from the US 😬). I always get super excited about your posts then spend weeks trying to find decent fabric, then give up. 😟 I would love to have Mood Fabrics in the UK! The selection is divine and the price point for decent fabrics is just great.
I’m planning on making your green dress in a colour I could find. 😄 It looks like a really heavy fabric in the video, which I have just located in navy. Fingers cross I will get it to fit ok. Looks like such a lovely and simple pattern. 😊
Roxanne
Posted at 15:36h, 06 JanuarySarah, the shorter length wrap dress is made for you.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 15:41h, 06 JanuaryMany thanks, Roxanne ☺️
Catherine
Posted at 15:48h, 06 JanuaryA classic fabulous look as a,ways! Thanks for the tip about thread and also the neckline and hem tips for sewing scuba. I did laugh at you making the same fabric as you were wearing. I would probably accidentally pick up some fabric off my lap with the make and end up sewing myself to new garment! Clearly this isn’t an issue for you. Thanks for the tips. I enjoyed your video.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:40h, 06 January😂😂😂 It certainly could have been an issue for me! Many thanks, Catherine!
Ann Boyd Briggs
Posted at 15:49h, 06 JanuaryThe Midi length overwhelmed your frame. The alteration in length to above the knee is perfect!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:43h, 06 JanuaryYou are so right, Ann. I’m having a hard time believing that I wore midis back in the day, but all of my garments were long 😳
Jennifer Marie Shaw
Posted at 16:03h, 06 JanuaryA beautiful light grey colored dress! Thank you for the tip about the length as well as the tip about where to tie the belting. Every little thing helps so much.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:45h, 06 JanuaryThank you, Jennifer! It’s those little details that make a big difference 😉
Kathryn Iastama
Posted at 16:35h, 06 JanuaryCan’t help but notice that the direction o wrap differ from you to the pattern picture. Intentional?
KK
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 16:46h, 06 JanuaryI was waiting for that one! I’m left handed and naturally gravitate to the opposite side 😉
Patricia Hall
Posted at 17:06h, 06 JanuaryI love your new dress and new post of the year. I learned so much in such a short time! Using the stretch thread and the lightweight interfacing are game changers! I have hesitated to sew much with knits because I always have problems but think I will give these tips a go. I also appreciate you telling us how to pin the dress so it doesn’t;t blow open – another reason I have hated wrap dresses!! I will have to add a knit to my future and have great hope it will turn out as nicely as yours.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:31h, 06 JanuaryThank you, Patricia! Knits are tricky period… The stretch and weight factors always differ, but the ability to sew with stretch thread and stabilize the fabric truly are game changers. Give it a try, start with something easy, and good luck!
Mary Anne
Posted at 17:41h, 06 JanuaryGorgeous dress Sarah, and yes I agree the shorter length does suit you better… At just 5’1″ I have the same issue. Thank you also for the video… I picked up a couple of good tips for sewing knits…. Don’t you just love the Eloflex thread? Again it is thanks to a previous post of yours that introduced me to it…. So good for sewing knits.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 18:32h, 06 JanuaryIndeed, Mary Anne – I LOVE Eloflex thread! Thanks so much for the comment 😉
Mary Anne
Posted at 03:23h, 07 JanuaryOne thing I did mean to ask Sarah, The hem stabiliser… Is this cut on the bias? I will definitely try this technique. Would you do this on tops too?
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 07:21h, 07 JanuaryNo it is cut on the cross grain. It should work on a top although you may not want a 1″ hem. I would try a sample first.
Mary Anne
Posted at 07:36h, 07 JanuaryThank you Sarah.
Barbara Carlon
Posted at 20:41h, 06 JanuaryWonderful dress! I’m wondering if you used the eloflex thread on your serger or on your regular machine. If you used it on the regular machine, did you also use it in the bobbin? I have some, but I haven’t used it yet.
I’ve been looking for a crossover pattern to use with my knit stash. This one looks pretty nice. 🙂
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:15h, 07 JanuaryMany thanks, Barbara! I used the Eloflex thread in the bobbin and the spool on my machine but not in my serger.. I’m told the secret for bobbin success is to wind it slowly 😉
Vanessa
Posted at 20:46h, 06 JanuaryI love the adjustments you made! It really made the dress shine! I have not had good success with wrap dresses, and have yet to find a pattern I love–however, I will keep trying, Happy New Year!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:18h, 07 JanuaryThank you, Vanessa! There are several wrap variations. I go back and forth from wraps with a separate skirt and bodice and the single bodice pattern. The separate skirt and bodice certainly allow for more fitting adjustments. Keep trying 😊
Elaine Sabin-Simpson
Posted at 02:41h, 07 JanuaryBeautiful- especially with the shawl in the last pic!
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 06:19h, 07 JanuaryThank you, Elaine!
Maryellensews
Posted at 08:56h, 07 JanuaryThis is a great dress on you Sarah ! Thanks for all the knit tips . So interesting how tying the belt in li e with the wrap made such a difference .
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:26h, 07 JanuaryThank you, Mary Ellen! One can never have too many knit tips 😂😂
Geni Arthur
Posted at 09:03h, 07 JanuaryI just love the simplicity of this dress, you wear it well as always! As for the EloFlex thread, I quickly ordered several spools after reading your past post and seeing your episode on ISE. However, no matter what I do I can’t seem to get it to work in any of my machines. It ends up breaking…pooh! I’ve adjusted my tension, used all types/sizes of needles, strictly bobbin, etc. it just doesn’t work. Any tips???
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 09:27h, 07 JanuaryUgh…….. One tip is to wind the bobbin slowly. This is a question for Coats and Clark to whom I will reach out. Hope to be back in touch soon 😉
Connie Turner
Posted at 11:41h, 07 JanuaryI watched your video and you sound just like I thought you would. You have only a little southern accent.
All of your sewing makes are fabulous, you have excellent taste and skill.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 12:30h, 07 January😂 A little southern accent goes a long way, Connie! Many thanks for your nice comment.
Bonnie Wheaton
Posted at 11:48h, 07 JanuaryThanks for the video tutorial. It was so nice to finally hear your voice, with your soft Southern drawl. I think hand-winding the bobbin for stretch thread is advisable. I incurred hefty machine repairs when I wound “invisible” thread at regular speed.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 13:01h, 07 JanuaryMany thanks, Bonnie. My father who was a wonderful public speaker had no Southern accent whatsoever – glad to know mine is ‘soft’ 😉😉
Yes, winding the bobbin with Eloflex on a slow speed produces a looser tension and makes for easier sewing.
Linda
Posted at 16:55h, 07 JanuaryHi – I love all your posts……. this is out of place, but concering vogue 9022, the black and white dress you used, could you tell me how much of the white you used? I would like to make this in ponte, and try colour blocking, how”ever I don’t want to buy more than I have to. You probably used 45″ width, ponte comes in 56-60″,Thanks for your help….
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 19:06h, 07 JanuaryHi Linda ~ I’m sorry I can’t be very helpful…….. I didn’t take notes and simply don’t know. This pattern came out a year after I made my dress and is very similar. Check it out for yardage requirements and good luck! https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v9166
Mary Lynn Cheely
Posted at 21:20h, 12 JanuaryI seem to have quit getting your e-mails. I signed up again to receive your blog and didn’t receive this about your grey wrap dress
(really cute and I loved the wrap you had in the last pichture). Hope i can get back on the list. I hope your daughter is enjoying Charleston.
goodbyevalentino
Posted at 17:41h, 15 JanuaryYikes, Mary Lynn! I have no idea while you have quit receiving the posts….. Please resubscribe and let me know if the problem is resolved. It’s so good to hear from you!