The Sunset Wrap: A Customer's Perspective

July 08, 2025 9 Comments on The Sunset Wrap: A Customer's Perspective

by Twyla Clark (Folkwear fan!)

I did not grow up sewing from a young age and despite being a graduate of the now defunct Sewing Training Academy (STA) where we learned production sewing on industrial sewing machines; I am not confident in my sewing ability. Yet when I look closely at things I’ve sewn after not seeing them for a while, I’m surprised at the nice quality of the work. Perhaps some of you are like-minded? We all know someone who seems to sew better than us. We can all be our own worse critics.

With that in mind, the Folkwear Sunset Wrap pattern #271 might be a confidence booster. This elegant one-armed shawl in a lightweight linen could show off “fancy” French seams or an easy serged edge. (Speaking of which, who doesn’t know someone who was so terrified of their serger that they never even took it out of the box!) And three mitered corners to showcase! I’m always taken aback at how impressed non-sewers are with mitered corners and this pattern makes them simple to sew because the instructions are well written.

As a student at STA, I “discovered” Folkwear patterns while shopping at Textile Fabrics here in Nashville. The black & white illustrations were so captivating, I just had to buy one or two! My first Folkwear make was the Swing Coat # 254 (see a couple examples below), made from Home Depot drop cloth which became softer after washing yet the weight was perfect for a light coat. Then I saw the Sunset Wrap pattern photographed in plain white which seemed elegant but, to me, like a wallflower – it needed a little make-over and some color.

I’ve sewn the Sunset Wrap now literally dozens of times, so many that my friends nick-named it the Twy-Light Shawl (my name is Twyla but friends & family call me Twy or sometimes even Twylight) but I’ve never made it in plain white. Mostly I use it to collage statement-making fabrics; often using a gorgeous piece of drapery or upholstery fabric for the front panel and maybe the sleeve. Often, I may use a large dramatic print for the front panel and a fabric using like-colors but a smaller print for the sleeve. The longer pattern piece for the shawl drape is often a solid color that pulls the front & the sleeve together. Using three different fabrics for one shawl gives me the opportunity to go through my fabric stash and dream up fun combinations and to use up odd remnants.

The Sunset Shawl is, in my mind, an unsung hero as it’s the pattern that keeps on giving. This is not an item that will go unused in your closet and absolutely will be treasured as a gift. Consider these uses: At the beach as a cover-up from the ocean breeze it looks “old-Hollywood” stylish with a swimsuit or shorts.

For new moms, the shawl can be a way to hide a nursing infant. I haven’t made it in a French Terry yet, but wouldn’t that be great? I made one in a large plaid cotton for my daughter, Robin, tho’ I added a button and a couple of loops so she could drape it as needed. She sent me the cutest picture of her and baby Alden (see below).

For friends & family young and old, who may be wheelchair reliant, this shawl with just one sleeve is easy to take on and off while adding a feeling of dressed-up elegance. Keep in mind too that the sleeve itself can be sewn to fit the left or the right shoulder – just flip the pattern in the very first steps. I did this accidently once and it was a nice surprise – a mistake gone right.

I’ve made the Sunset Shawl in a quilted black fabric with a floral print on the reverse side and the result was charmingly like a “puffer” jacket that is so trendy now.

Rolled up in my oversized purse it’s easily accessible when the movie theatre, restaurant or wherever is too cool. Friends have told me it’s perfect on a cruise because it’s simple and elegant and dresses up most any outfit - including jeans.

Yup, it works in lightweight wool, feels sophisticated in linen, is down to earth in cotton and uses up odd remnants, helping to keep scraps out of the landfill. And, when my fabric for the length of drape was not quite long enough, I’ve shortened the drape by up to six inches and it still worked just fine. 

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