Isla, the perfect mix of 1950s house-dress meets modern day wrap dress.
The first brand new JLH pattern for 2022 is here! Say hello to the Isla Wrap Dress. Available in both the Original and Curve sizes, with A to F cups included, in sizes ranging from an NZ size 6 to 34.
Who hasn't fantasised about making the dresses below that Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon) wears when we meet her in the movie The Hundred-Foot Journey? I sure have, and now you can make your very own in an easy, breezy wrap dress form. Yippee!
Isla is cool, comfortable and layer able for all seasons and occasions. cute vintage bikes are optional (but dang, I think we all need one, stat!).
The Details
With grown-on sleeves and a wide, gently rounded neckline (buttoned at the top back neckline), Isla includes waistline darts for bodice shaping at the front and back. The gently gathered skirt includes in-seam pockets and falls to below the knee.
The back-wrap bodice is angled from the centre back neckline down to the waist - the waist tie is then used for closing the dress at the waistline, cinching it in as much as you please.
The back skirt overlaps almost side to side (it's stepped back just a smidge so you can't see the edge of the skirt with looking from the front), meaning you have plenty of coverage, even in windy weather.
While the button at the top back neckline can be made functional, the neckline is wide enough that you can easily slip Isla over you head, meaning you can sew it permanently shut if you wish.
Multiple Cup Sizes - A to F
The Isla Wrap Dress includes both the Original and Curve sizes, spanning from a 6A cup (bust size 75cm or 29 1/2") all the way up to a 34F cup (156.5cm or 61 5/8").
Included in the instructions are a detailed set of Finished Garment Measurements, meaning you're able to compare these to a similar garment that you currently like the fit of, or know you want to adjust. This takes much of the guess work out of making Isla, before you've even cut anything out.
Tatenda wears a Curve 18D cup, graded to a size 20 waist - you can read more about her on the pattern listing page here.
Skill Level
Isla is suitable for confident seamstresses looking to up-skill.
If you have a few garments under your belt, Isla could be a great next step in your sewing journey. Build confidence with techniques such as gathering skirts, sewing in darts, and stay-stitching along the back bodice angle to keep it (and your necklines) from stretching out during construction.
If the button at the back makes you a little hesitant, you don't need to make it functional. The neckline is wide enough to slip over the head, meaning you can permanently sew it closed with a few hand-stitches (and pop a faux button on top). You could even use a vintage brooch or go punk with safety pins!
Fabric Suggestions
Isla is suitable for a wide range of light to medium-weight woven fabrics with some drape.
Cotton lawn, voile and poplin to linen, tencel, light chambray or denim, as well as double gauze, sateen and seersucker are easy to sew with and wear.
Rayon, silks, crepes and other slinky fabrics also work well, but be mindful of the weight of the back neckline closure you use, as it could cause sagging without enough fabric structure to hold it up. In that case, a hidden snap button or a few invisible hand-stitches could be best,
Tatenda's pink spot Isla is a linen-cotton blend. Jen wears Isla in a slub-y linen-cotton blend (that was a nightmare to iron after washing, so I just went with it, wrinkles and all).
Purchase Isla Here
You can choose to purchase Isla an an individual size range (Original or Curve) OR in an economical bundle if you'd like all sizes on hand.
Your pattern will be delivered instantly to your inbox after you check out, and from there, you can choose my easy-to-assemble print-at-home file or send the A0 file to a PrintShop and have them print it for you.
The layers function is included in all pattern files, so you can turn on and off any number/combination of sizes your heart desires.
Please share your makes with me on Instagram! You can use the hash tags #JLHIsla, #JLHCurve or #SewJLH - I'd love to see your makes.
xx
Jen