Wrap-style dresses are a dream for any sewist wanting to forgo buttons and zippers! The Helena Wrap Dress by Just Patterns is a simple wrap dress pattern with discreet detailing and a well-balanced silhouette. Delphine from Just Patterns describes the style as 'effortlessly elegant' which we think is spot on, and it's the type of pattern that will sew up beautifully in a wide range of fabrics for every occasion. Our new Organic Linen in Lilac provided a playful boost of colour for style, with the texture of the linen lending a delightfully casual vibe.
Read on for more, kindly modelled by Zosia from our Online Store team!
Zosia wears Helena in Lilac Organic Linen in a size 44, no mods required!
Pattern Review
Helena Wrap Dress — Just Patterns
The Helena Wrap Dress is a PDF sewing pattern available in French and English, from the Just Patterns website. The pattern is offered in french sizes 34 - 60, with sizes 34-46 developed for a B/C cup size and sizes 46-60 for a DD cup size. Its a relaxed fitting wrap-style, with two pocket options, built in waistband with wrap around tie, full dolman sleeves, pleat detailing and gathering through the skirt.
We choose a size 44 for Zosia, and made up a toile first to ensure the fit was accurate. We didn't need to make any alterations to this pattern, and ended up using 3.2m of our Lilac linen, plus 1m of Stretch Weft White Fusing. Our dress features both in seam and patch pockets, hooray for pockets! The dress was a fairly simple intermediate-level sew, and we'd highly recommend utilising Delphine's resource page along the way for tips and tutorials. The addition of french seams makes for a lovely clean finish, and the overall fit was perfect for Zosia!
Fabric Recommendations
This is the type of pattern that will sew up beautifully in so many fabrics, think sleek suiting, breezy textural linen, a crisp cotton print or stripe, or perhaps a luxurious drapey silk. Naturally, we're loving how this turned out in linen! Try one of three beautiful new GOTS Organic Linen colours below - Daffodil, Glacier and Lilac.
If you're on the hunt for a wrap dress pattern, definitely give the Helena a try! Check out the Helena hashtag for more community makers and get inspired. Don't forget to share your makes with us @wearethefabricstore using #TheFabricStore