New Look 6697 Mock Wrap Dress

I always fuss with wrap dresses (even tho I love them) worried about the wrap blowing open or showing more than I want when I sit and move around.  Sitting still is not one of my virtues.

 I thought this pattern would be fun to try.  Thus, I found some rayon knit (you may remember it from my most recnet kAtheRine Tilton "zipper collar" top).  I have a bolt of this fabric so I used it for what I hoped would be a "wearable muslin."

The neckline looked pretty low; I raised it by 2".  Next version I will raise it an inch more.  I used the long sleeve pattern, but shorted it to just above elbow length.  The little "puff sleeve" is not me.

I used Emma Seabrooke's 1.25" stay tape interfacing to finish the neckline.  I used the method in her booklet Emma Seabrooke's Stay Tape Techniques that I picked up at a Sewing Expo earlier this year.  I placed the stay tape on the neck edge, on the right side of the fabric with the fuse side of the stay tape up. Then folded the "facing" over and pressed to fuse it to the inside of the neckline edge.

Used the coverstitch machine to top stitch after fusing.

Elastic is inserted at the waist to snug in the waistline.  I tested belts and decided a self fabric belt would make it look more like the "real wrap."  Plus, I didn't really like the focus being drawn to my waistline.

So, I went with the self fabric belt.

Not a great shot, but you get the idea.

Comfy dress; I plan to make it again--probably as very casual sleeveless version for the upcoming HOT summer.