Easy Wrap Skirt Tutorial

The Perfect Wrap Skirt 

 Happy Monday, friends!

My mind likes to simplify things for some reason. I'll see something and think, oh that's easy to do. But when I actually attempt it, it turns out not as simple as it seemed. Do any of you do this? This is what kept  me from attempting a wrap skirt earlier. In my mind : It is just a piece of fabric that you wrap around yourself. How hard could that be? But I was scared that I was oversimplifying it and it would end up nothing like I imagined. I'm so excited to announce that it turned out just how I wanted it to AND it was simple. It really was SIMPLE! Things like this make me so happy.

I have been dreaming of the perfect asymmetrical wrap skirt for years. Maybe ever since this white Zara Skort went huge on IG (anyone else remember that??) I loved it but it was always a bit too short in my eyes.

Somehow, I bought a 2 yrd piece of upholstery fabric at a furniture fabric store. Don't ask me why. I don't question my decisions. haha. I am so glad I did. It ended up perfect for this skirt. Maybe you don't need to use an upholstery fabric but I recommended something a little thicker that holds its shape and isn't flowy.

YOU NEED:
around 2 YRDS thick (or upholstery) fabric
Matching thread
Sewing machine
Hook and Eye big closures (2)- I used 1" 

 1. Wrap the fabric around you, with the center on your back. This is where you may have to trim it because it might be too much depending on your size. Cut straight down on both sides. The angle in the front will happen naturally when you add darts into the skirt. Make sure the material overlaps in the front.

2. After you have cut the material, fold down the top and bottom to create a hem. I did mine about 1 inch on top to create a "waistband" look and less on bottom for the hem.

3. Do this to the side "flap" that will be exposed as well. (The other side wont be seen, it will be tucked away under the wrap) Sew it the same width as your hem on bottom.

4. This is where it gets interesting. In order to make the skirt fit you properly on the waist, you must add darts. This creates the material to be smaller on your waist but go back out again for your hips. I made 4 darts, each about 1 inch wide. Two in the front, and two in the back. When the skirt is laying flat, they might look unevenly placed. This is why you MUST mark (pin) them while it is on your body.

Wrap the hemmed fabric around your waist with the beginning unfinished edge reaches right before your hip and cinch the first dart around your other hip, away from your body. (So the fold is not sticking out)

The next dart will be opposite. This is one of the two that will be on your back. Make sure these two are evenly placed on your back and opposite of each other as well. The pleats should not be going the same direction.

The fourth dart will be on your flap of your wrap skirt. It needs a dart as well to create the asymmetrical look in the front.

I promise it will make more sense once you start doing it. Just realized how very hard it is to explain! I would be happy to answer any questions you have...

5. Sew on Hook and Eye's. I used two different kinds but I definitely suggest that the first initial clasp be a bigger heavy duty one because it's holding the whole skirt on you! You wouldn't want it to rip off :)

The second clasp I found had 3 different notches that you choose which one to hook it on too. This turned out great. It gives me the option of making the skirt tighter if I want (which you want to cinch your waist as much as possible) but also choose a looser option after a big dinner- ;)

Here's a fun GIF I created to show how this wraps on, visually explains the darts better and where to sew on the clasps/hook and eyes.

And now for the roll of photos! Totally wish these weren't so blurry. Sorry guys- trying some new settings and lenses out.

*STYLE TIP* This wrap skirt looks best with a fitted top so that the volume of the darts and stiff fabric doesn't make you look bigger.

Have a lovely lovely week! Until next time...

Love, 

Viktoria

The Strapless Dress Makeover

Hello!

So here's yet another reason for you to go thrifting.. Not only are there really cute things that might be one-of-a-kind or not longer available for sale, but there are also those tops/dresses that you fall in love with but would not pay full price for because they are a.) too showy (too short, strapless, etc) b.) don't quite fit right.

For those two reasons, you can remake that said clothing to fit your need/style and not feel bad about cutting it up, using amateur sewing skills on it because you only paid $3 for it.

This top (dress) spoke to me. Blue and white is reallllly speaking to me this summer.

I bought it and it went from a strapless (wayy too short dress) to a cute criss-cross strap top in about 30 minutes. And I wore it that same day to get ice cream and take a walk in the park with the family! It was the perfect summer top! I call that a success.

Maybe you have something similar in your closet you'd like to make over?
Here's how I did it:

Start with a strapless dress or top (will need to take off some of the length to use as straps)

My dress had straps to tie around the waist that i just cut off but if yours doesn't: use this simple tutorial for how to make straps. (It's from my very first sewing tutorial! Getting all emotional looking at it!) And then how to turn them inside out.. it's a tough one! :) Here's a simple video.

After you have your straps, measure (try on your top) to see where the appropriate place is to put the straps.  Pin to keep in place. You should also iron your fabric straps so they would be straight. This is really good idea for the next step- especially if you are going to be criss-crossing them..

Since most strapless dresses have some sort of built-in support system, this guarantees you have two layers on the top of your dress/shirt. I used a "roll" method for sewing in the straps so that you don't see the stitch from the front.
Hold the place you want to pin the strap, roll the underneath fabric layer forward and pin the strap ONLY to the back layer, so that it is not snagging the front part of your top. Be careful sewing this as well. This is hard to explain but pictures might explain it better:

Next, measure where you want your straps to go in the back. I decided to change it up a bit and criss-cross them in the back. I thought it added a little more playfulness to the top. But of course you can just go straight back!

The simplest way to get the straps exactly where you want it with the correct tautness and evenly spaced, is to pin them on while trying on the top. A second pair of hands would be so helpful.. My husband was the one that pinned the straps to their designated place and used his carpenter eyes to space them evenly. :)
(The back of my dress was shirred, so it was even more important to get them spaced correctly)

Sew the straps on to the back of your top, inside out. You can use the same roll method if your back is lined as well. Since mine wasn't, I just sewed it on in one straight line.

Cut off the bottom (if you haven't already for straps.) I really love the length it ended up being. I made it equal parts from the top section to the bottom section. This made the top more girly, I think!

Hem the bottom. If you have a lined top, you will need to cut the underneath layer shorter so it doesn't stick out past the top layer.

And that's it! You can finally wear that strapless dress/top you had since your high school days! :) But I think in a grown up and more modern way.

I can't believe it is already the end of August! Soak in those last summer night, friends! Fall will be here before you know it!

Thank you for reading!

Love,

Viktoria