I always love pattern testing a pattern that just screams me! When Tami from Love Notions posted that sh was re-releasing the Willow Dress and adding a peplum and flutter sleeve I immediately signed up!
The Pattern and the Peplum
Love Notions patterns are really great because they offer a lot of flexibility. The Willow Wrap Dress is another great example of that. The pattern is a comfortable dress designed for knit fabrics. It features a lower and higher neckline option. Additionally, it has a couple different bodices – featuring gathers or pleats or with a smooth finish. All styles can be made with a knee length skirt or a peplum skirt. The pattern also features modifications necessary for maternity. Finally, it has multiple sleeve options – short, 3/4 or flutter.
I love the look of wrap dresses but have a really hard time wearing them because I can never seem to tie them right. Plus, I don’t love dresses either. When I saw that the Willow Wrap Dress came with a full crossover that is secured along with a peplum version, I knew it would be an amazing addition to my work wardrobe. I love how this top fits. It is so comfortable and easy to wear and is perfect for the upcoming summer months.
I chose to sew up the straight bodice with the higher neckline, peplum skirt and flutter sleeves. I love how this top is fitted through the bodice and then the peplum has the perfect amount of flounce to it.
Some other Love Notions patterns tend to be wide across my neck and shoulders on me, but this pattern fits me perfectly. I think also choosing a more stable fabric like a ponte led to a more structured feel for me.
The Fabric
A couple months ago, I bought a bunch of different colors of the Ponte Knit from Raspberry Creek Fabrics. It was so good to have for this test. I made my first version out of the coral ponte knit and the second version out of the dusty blue ponte knit. It was so fun seeing all the different tester versions and lots of people made it out of Double Brushed Poly or a Rayon Spandex knit, but I knew I wanted something a bit more substantial. The different fabrics do give the top a bit of a different look.
I really enjoy testing patterns, mainly because I find so much inspiration from seeing the same garment made so many different ways by so many different people. Isn’t it amazing how one garment can look so different depending on the fabric and styling?
Thanks so much to Tami for having me for this test. You can purchase the Willow Wrap Dress and Peplum here!
Love notions kindly provided me with a free copy of the Willow Wrap Dress Pattern in exchange for sewing up these garments for purposes of testing the pattern free of charge, but as always, all opinions are my own.
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