Floral Marimekko Calvin Dress

Who can resist a bold floral Marimekko Print? I scooped up this print as soon as the email hit my inbox from Core Fabrics. I realized when I started putting together this blog post that the colors are some of my branding colors for the blog- that forest green in mustard gold- which may explain why I was so drawn to this fabric! Plus, I just love those giant Hibiscus Flowers.

The fabric is lightweight- but not sheer and has a cool smooth hand which is so lovely to work with- and wear! I purchased 2.5 yds and started searching through my stash for a dress pattern. I bought the bias tape to 3 colors to see which one I liked best then went back and bought more of the green colorway.

If you haven’t seen Core’s bas tape selection -go check it out. So many lovely colors and it’s a really nice weight. My dress is bound completely in the forest color. I had tried the gold but it was a bit much. I removed it and started again.

I originally had the ring hardware for adjustable straps but decided I would never adjust these anyway so I just measure the armole and secured the bias in place. I will say using the hardware does make for a clean finish. But I really never wear adjustable straps.

Fabric & Notions:

Watercolour Floral Print Satin Finish Marimekko Deadstock – Cream + Teal

OOS- Core Fabrics

Double-Fold Cotton Poplin Bias Tape – 3/8″ (10mm) wide – Forest

I suggest 5+ yds for this pattern

Gütermann All Purpose Sew-all Thread – Army Green 644

CALVIN WRAP DRESS by True Bias

The Calvin pattern is a wrap dress and top with exposed bias binding that extends into long ties to form a bow closure. It has rings and sliders which create adjustable shoulder straps for an easy fit. View A is a short top that hits approximately two inches below the natural waist. View B is a straight dress that hits at mid calf.

Alterations: Size 8 graded out slightly at the hips. Bust dart altered off my sloper. No sliders.

Here are a few close ups. One alteration I really worked on for this version was the bust dart. The pattern is drafted for a C cup, and I’m a B. I was going to do a small bust adjustment but then decided it would be easier to just redraft the front using my slope- since the dart was actually a little high for me as well at 47. You can see my earlier version here: Navy Linen Calvin Top.

I really love the fit now and the angle of the dart is perfect for me. I am probably going to wear this most as a swim/ yoga cover-up dress. A wrap dress is always perfect for that!

This dress is really nicely drafted so the wrap has a nice amount of coverage for walking with the front panel. I serged all my pieces prior to construction with coordinating mustard thread and then pressed them all open. For the tie entry I left a gap in my seam instead of the buttonhole which looks much nicer. I did grade this out slightly at the hips. I just eyeballed it- mainly because I just like a little more room for sitting.

I may raise the back a few inches on my next version and cut it on the fold. It hits a little low. I could have raised the straps a bit- but I liked where the armhole was sitting. So next time I’ll play around with raising that up.

This dress is so comfy and easy. I just love it. I have a feeling I’ll be making a few more next spring!

Back soon with more makes! Happy sewing!