Well, at least this week! I finished my Crepe and am completely in love with it. Most exciting is that this is a straight-from-the box pattern – I did zero pattern alterations. I didn’t even drop the vertical dart point like I thought I would. I wanted to see how it went making the dress exactly as drafted. I probably will make a few changes for the next version, but I’m very, very happy with this version.
The dress is super comfy and feels nice and secure – I was a little concerned that I’d feel like the wrap would unwrap, but I can’t even tell it’s a wrap dress while wearing it!
What I’d do different if I had to do it all over again…
The changes that I will make for future patterns are all in the shoulder and chest area – it’s a little too roomy in the shoulders and gaping on the neckline. It’s not too bad, just something that could be altered a bit. I took this photo to show off my fancy top stitching (see it? arms? neckline? on the sash??), but you can see how it’s pretty loose though the shoulders. 
Oh, yeah, THAT’S why I hate facings…
The hardest part of the dress was dealing with the facings. There is a front and back facing and the sleeve facings. The sleeve facings in particular were difficult for me – partially because I used the pink satin which is a little heavier than the double-gauze print. The facings were flapping around like a little pair of butterfly wings. They’re a strange shape – sort of like an ‘S’. I ended up catch-stitching the facings down completely to the inner layer of the double gauze. Future versions will either be lined (BTW – I can’t think of any reason this wouldn’t be a reversible dress if fully lined…) or I’ll finish with bias tape. 
Vines, vines all over the place…
I ended up doing a LOT of topstitching on the dress – some in an attempt to get the facings under control, but also the sides of the skirt need to be hemmed as well as the bottom. I wanted to do something a little funky and resisted trimming with black and white polka dot grosgrain… Instead, I used variegated thread to stitch vines. {finally! using something other than the straight stitch and zig zag on my machine!} The effect is subtle – the colors vary from light to deep pink. I did some on the facings – as you can see above (don’t you love inside, secret details?)…
Some on the neckline and the sash…
All along the back…
I even did a little when I was putting in my label. You can also see in this photo the little hole in the sideseam for the sash to pass through.
Mugshots. Suspect wanted for making super cute dress. And other details.
I just love this dress! It has pockets set in the side seam – sort of a pain to put in as I used french seam finishing on all the seams, but I got it to work. The print fabric is so wonderful – a double gauze Japanese import. With squirrels (Echino Bird and Berry from the Chelsea line for anyone dying for squirrel fabric.) The satin is super light weight and an iridescent pinkish-grey. For my patternreview.com thoughts, where I will attempt to stick to the facts and tone down the unfettered self-congratulatory air, click here.
Oh, wow, LOVELY! Such a flattering shape for you, too, with the sash 🙂
Your machine does much cooler decorative stitches than mine ;).
That is SO freakin' cute on you! What a flattering style of dress. And here I was thinking you'd be doing the sew-along..you're so speedy! Love the print, love the contrast sash, it's super pretty and feminine. Yay!
That fabric is just fantastic! Love the finished result.
BTW: Where did you get your label? Would you email me to let me know some deets. I bought labels but they were a cheap first effort and I'd like to do something more serious next time.
You got this done quickly! Too cute, and I love the print!
I love love love how the sash and top-stitching brings out a purple undertone in the gray fashion fabric. It's so flattering too! It almost makes me want to make the sweetheart neckline too, but I think I'll go with the scoop. Mostly because I have binding ideas to combat your facing frustrations and because it will be fun to do a variation too. I might also need to pattern mix since I want my clothes to be like adult Garanimals.
Okay, so gorgeous! And the little woodland creatures on the fabric are adorable. I don't think I could love this version more if it were mine. And do you sleep? I repeat my envy of your speed.
Very cute! Love it with the pink sash, and yes it's so flattering!
It's absolutely gorgeous! And the shoes go so well with it! Well done!
It's very flattering on you – and the fabrics are beautiful! I love that it doesn't look like every other wrap dress in the world, and I'm glad to hear that it doesn't feel like it's going to come open (I am always worried when wearing one.
Fantastic! The dress is fabulous..I love the contrasting colors and the stitching detail! It's so nice to see this pattern made up! And it looks fabulous on you! Great job!
Super pretty! I bet it feels fabulous to wear, too!
That looks beautiful! I'm ordering the pattern now!
Oh wow! It looks really great on you, much better than the one on the CP website. I didn't think I liked this pattern before, but you've changed my mind! Love the topstitching.
Ooh, I'm with Tilly. I wasn't sold on this pattern as I thought it looked in danger of being unflattering on my figure. But it looks amazing on you. I'm prepared to be won over!
Now I want to make that dress even more!I am very happy that it feels comfy and secure because that was what i had imagined.
Thank you for your observations (the shoulders being roomy) because I usually have the same problem with every pattern. This time, I know in advance that I will change something before the muslin process..
It is so lovely. You pay such attention to details and take great decisions (fabric, stitching, contrasts).
You look fantastic! Another pattern added to my to-sew list!
You look great in that dress!!!! Love the top-stitching. I think this will be a great pattern to play with-seems to be a number of touches that can be added to make it different every time. And lucky you with no adjustments!!!! I am going to do a bodice muslin with no FBA to see if I can get away with it….
Snuggy Buggy, you keep out-doing yourself!!!
You look great! The pattern looks like a winner. You have pre-empted Gertie's sew along, but I think you could inspire a lot of people to join it!
It turned out gorgeous – very flattering – and that's such fun fabric for it.
Fab dress!!! I was contemplating making it, but wasn't sure if a wrap in the back would just set me up for some unflattering backside flashing! From the looks of yours its quite modest…now I have to go purchase the pattern! LOL Thanks so much!!!
I didn't read through all the comments… but quickly, I tack my facings to any seams (a tack at the shoulder seam, a tack at the side seam), and always, always understitch (which it looks like you did), solves my facing dilemas.
The dress is lovely! I looooove the fabric.
Love the fabric, and style of the pattern. Looks adorable on you 🙂
I love your dress it looks fantastic!!
This is a beautiful dress on you, I especially love your topstitching details. I just made the dress, and agree with you about the looseness of the top part. Also I lined it which avoided shoulder facing issues, and as you say, makes it reversible.
You look great! And I love your fabric choice and the topstitching. So very, very pretty.
Love it! The fabric is super cute and I love the top stitching! Totally jealous that my machine doesn't have that setting.
That dress is beautiful and flattering! I love the top stitching you did too. I can't wait to try this dress for myself. Thanks for sharing your version!
I love it – perfect fabric for it – I didn't even think about using double gauze, but think I might have to get some.
You look amaaaazing. I bought the pattern for the sew-along but I've never done facings, pockets, sleeves, alterations… um, I'm a beginner. So I might go slow and not finish with everyone else.
It's absolutely beautiful Patty. I'm doing Gertie's sew-along and your dress has really inspired me. I just bought that same fabric for a different dress so I'm delighted to see how beautifully it drapes. Well done, you should be very proud. x
it is SO ADORABLE! I need to make this dress now.
Absolutely gorgeous on you! I just got this pattern for myself, and I will be size 18. I’m debating doing a FBA… I was directed to your blog by Gertie’s blog, noting you did not need to do a FBA for this pattern. I’m wondering if I could delicately ask what size you made yours in and what size your girls are in an attempt to figure out how I should proceed! We seem to be of very similar size and shape, and I hope I can pull this off and look as wonderful in this dress as you do!