July 24, 2019

Sew a Plus Size Wrap Top in 5 Easy Steps

Wrap styles are so flattering to the full plus size figured woman. They are also very trendy at the moment. Here’s how you can make your own trendsetting plus side wrap top in just 5 easy steps!

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DIY the Trendy Wrap Top Look

I have always loved following fashion trends. Wrap tops have always been a favorite style of mine since they are so flattering to a larger plus size figure. I spotted this beautiful geometric print on the Marcy Tilton website not long ago. It jumped off the page at me and I knew I had to have it!

There is something so eye-catching about red, white and blue. My plan was to make a simple wrap top that I could wear with skirts or jeans. A wrap top like this would even look amazing with wide-leg pants as the design of the top provides a more fitted look. For this DIY project, I choose an elbow-length top. However, a wrap top like this could be made into either a long sleeve or short sleeve style!

Supplies Needed:

2 yards printed jersey fabric (Mine is from Marcy Tilton, but it is sold out!)
serger and matching thread
pins, measuring tape, scissors

Pattern Problems:

I started this project using the Butterick B6285 pattern. However, I soon disliked it tremendously. According to the package it is sized for a 22. My measurements were not that far off, and I usually have no issues with alterations. But shortly after I began this project, I decided it was better to start over completely from scratch. There were several issues with this style that simply do not work well for a plus size top.

1. No way to alter for a long torso. This is an oddly shaped pattern. The sleeve front and back is one piece with no shoulder seam. If you have a long torso like myself, there is no way to alter this piece to compensate. For my wrap top, I slashed the sleeve where the shoulder seam should be. I then added 5 inches to both the front and back length. However, I could have added 2 additional inches, as it barely reaches my waist and I’m certainly not interested in wearing a crop top!

2. Ties too short! For the tie, I added the same amount of length, a total of 10″ to the circumference. But it just wasn’t enough to wrap all the way around me even once to tie at the waist. (Much less twice like the pattern shows!) So, instead, I stitched the band to the bottom of the top and made a faux tie to the side. I tend to dislike things that are tight around my middle anyways so this adjustment suits me perfectly.

I still needed the extra length in the torso. A bigger bust takes up a lot of fabric vertically although you wouldn’t think about it just looking at the photo on the pattern. Had I not added that extra 5″ of fabric it would have barely covered my bust. I also omitted the pattern lining/facings. The front pieces were supposed to be made of double fabric which is too hot for summer. Instead, I opted for a narrow fold back facing edge of 1 1/2″ for each front piece.

3. A poor style for plus sizes. This pattern hacking makes me frustrated even just thinking about it afterward! This wrap top is still not perfect and it took a lot of time to make. Sometimes I wonder if the folks designing these patterns ever try them on a plus size figure. Somehow I doubt it! With a few adjustments to the pattern, this would be such a better fit for the plus size figure it is intended for.

The good news is that after all of this nonsense, I decided to create my own pattern. I will make the needed pattern adjustments and then add this wrap top pattern to my Chambray Blues Pattern Shop! You will then be able to sew a beautiful wrap top that was designed with your needs in mind. Keep an eye out for this pattern which is coming soon!

DIY Wrap Top in 5 Easy Steps:

Here’s the step by step sewing process for this top:

1. First, cut out the pattern from the Chambray Blues Shop (coming soon)! Serge front wrap edge using a 3 thread stitch. Fold back 1 1/2″ and then baste in place at shoulder and at hem.

2. Sew the front and back pieces together at the shoulder seam. Gather the lower front edge between notches with two rows of basting stitches.

3. With right sides together, sew lower left front to lower right side. Finish the lower side front edge with a serger or zig zag stitch. Repeat on the other side.

4. Sew lower band pieces together along the short edge. With the right sides together, stitch along top edge, forming a point at ends. Turn right side out and press. Baste along the remaining edge.

5. Pin band to lower edge of the top, with right sides together matching vertical seam of the band with the side seam of the top. Leave ends of the band free at the opposite side seam. Stitch in place along the bottom of the top. Finally, tie the ends in a loose knot.

I hope you enjoy your new wrap top! Mine has become a staple in my wardrobe, even with its minor imperfections.