I felt that I passed a huge personal hurdle completing my first large-scale garment sewing project and I was excited to figure out what new piece to sew next. I had cooler weather on my mind, and decided to try my hand at making the ever-popular, Wilder Gown from Friday Pattern Company.
The Wilder Gown is everything I love in a piece of clothing: a romantic and feminine aesthetic featuring a tie-up, ruched, high-neck, and a flowy, tiered body. There are endless possibilities with this pattern too: one can create a top or dress, long or short sleeved, with one skirt tier or two. The Wilder Gown is available as a printed or a digital PDF (print it on your own at home or at a copy shop) pattern. I purchased the PDF pattern.
Initially, I set out to sew a full Wilder Gown in a silky, floral print fabric, but gravitated towards creating a blouse. I figured in reality, I’d probably get more wear out of a blouse than a tiered dress especially moving into late fall and early winter.
I was pleasantly surprised by the pattern’s easy-to-follow instructions and generally effortless assembly (though as always, “at home” printing does require some time print, cutting, piecing together the pattern). I’d consider myself an advanced beginner garment sewer, and I think the Wilder Gown pattern is perfect for sewists of all levels. The two features I was most worried about sewing: neck ties and ruching, turned out to be simpler than I thought thanks to the straightforward pattern instructions.
Something I wish I’d had when making this blouse was a serger to provide more professional and durable seams in less time. You can get the same finished seams from diligent pressing and zig-zag stitches on a regular sewing machine, and for most beginners a serger isn’t necessary or even recommended. I did manage to snag a gently-used serger at an excellent price after completing this project, so I’m excited to try it out in sewing future garments. (Here’s the model I got.)
Another great thing about the Wilder Gown pattern (dress or blouse) is that it doesn’t require too much fabric. My blouse only required about 1.75 yards of 45” fabric.
In total: printing the pattern, assembling, fabric cutting, and actual time sewing and pressing, took me a little over a week. (Note: I usually sew on weekends and on my free evenings after working my full-time job). I think a Wilder Gown blouse could easily be completed as a weekend-long project.
Based on the Friday Pattern Co. sizing guide, I used the XS measurements for a blouse. My blouse has a relaxed, drapey fit on the body and arms, yet tailored enough even for a petite figure and my personal preferences. I was also pleased with the overall length of the blouse.
Mine falls a little over my hips, reminiscent of a shorter tunic. I love this length, because it gives me freedom and enough fabric to tuck into bottoms (so many petite shirts are cut too short to be tucked and to stay nicely,) or wear as is, without swallowing me in fabric. The sizing is perfection.
Overall, I am so pleased with how my Wilder Gown blouse came out and will definitely use this pattern again and again! I love looking at all the versions sewists have made on Instagram (#wildergown #wildergownshirt) and am itching to make a blouse out of a sweatshirt material or in denim. The full Gown version is on my list to create for a beautiful and breezy spring/summer dress.
I highly recommend this pattern for anyone desiring to create a gorgeous blouse or dress with straightforward and simple instructions, and a quick sewing project.
Pattern: The Wilder Gown, Friday Pattern Company, $14 (PDF) or $20 (printed).
Fabric: Telio Dali Rayon Poplin Print in Botanical Floral White, Fabric.com
Size made: XS- long-sleeve blouse
