Pattern Review: Marsha Wrap Dress by Rad Patterns

I just made the Marsha Wrap Dress from Rad Patterns, and I love it so much I'm already planning to make more. After sewing it, I decided it was a little shorter than I prefer, so I gave it to my sister since we're the same size and she loves shorter hemlines. Lucky her!

Pattern Details at a Glance

Pattern: Marsha Wrap Dress by Rad Patterns

Description: Flowy wrap dress with five length options, five sleeve options, and optional maternity and nursing adjustments.

Difficulty: Beginner

Time to Sew: About 2 hours

Format: PDF (standard 8.5"x11") instant download or A0 print shop copy

What You'll Need

• 3 to 4 yards of fabric, depending on the length you're making. Choose something with 4-way stretch and a nice drape.

• Coordinating thread

• Clear elastic if your fabric is very stretchy

My Honest Review

The Marsha Wrap Dress is a quick and satisfying sew. I finished the seams with my serger and used a double needle in my sewing machine for topstitching, which gives the hems a more professional, store-bought look. If you're new to sewing with knits, read up on knit sewing before you start.

The pattern itself was easy to follow, and I'd confidently recommend it to a beginner.

About the fabric: The pattern requires knit fabric with at least 40% stretch. I used a beautiful rose-colored Modal spandex from Surge Fabric Shop. I should mention that this pattern uses a lot of fabric because the bodice is fully lined and the skirt is cut almost like a circle skirt. I used three yards for the calf-length version. If you want the maxi length, I'd suggest buying at least four yards.

Sizing: I typically wear a large or extra-large in women's shirts. Based on my measurements I made an XL, and it fit really well. Rad Patterns runs true to size! If your fabric has less than 40% stretch, you might want to size up. Keep in mind that wrap dresses are naturally forgiving because of how they close anyway.

Neckline: This pattern has a low neckline. If you want more coverage, add about an inch to both sides of the neckline. I planned to wear a camisole underneath, so I left mine as-is.

Bodice length: If your fabric has a lot of stretch, you might want to shorten the bodice slightly. I wish I had made that adjustment on mine in hindsight.

Pin It

I loved how the Marsha Wrap Dress turned out and I will definitely be making more. The sleeve and length options make it incredibly versatile, and the maternity and nursing adjustments are a bonus that makes it useful for all stages of life.

Have you tried this pattern? I'd love to hear what you thought in the comments!

Related reading: Pattern Review: Ollie Bomber Jacket by Sew a Little Seam