A few months ago my friend Martine asked me to copy a dress for her. It was a stretch jersey wrap dress... nothing very complicated she assured me, but a flattering style and very easy to wear. Martine travels a lot for her job so she wanted something that was easy to pack, light weight and comfortable. She said that this dress was perfect and wanted a couple more.
So with her original dress in hand I set about to copy the pattern.
There are only 4 pattern pieces (front left, front right, back and the little D shaped insert which you cut twice) plus a couple of lengths of bias binding to finish the neckline and sleeves.
The cross over front and pleating around the waist line makes this a very flattering dress on almost any body shape. A stretch fabric is ideal but one that has some body and drape to it.
The right front hem curves up to join into the D shaped insert. The fixed cross-over means that there are no ties to come undone or add bulk.
This first dress was made in a slightly softer jersey that draped well but had less stretch.
For the second dress, I added 3/4 length sleeves... These could quite easily be full length for winter wear.
Dress N°3 - back to sleeveless. There was to be a N°4, which in the end turned into a top as the fabric didn't have enough elasticity.
Having made all these versions for Martine, I just had to have one for myself... so here is my very own "Martine Wrap Dress" made in a stretch jersey cotton. I've already worn it several times and think I will almost certainly make myself a winter version with full length sleeves.
