This spring has been long and chilly. We get a taste of summer, then we get a cold front. It's the perfect time for a versatile outfit, which is what I had in mind with this 2 part sewing project.
I used a lovely purple floral repro print from Riley Blake Designs (one of the Bee Vintage basics, which means it is more readily available than some of their fabrics!). I cut a cap-sleeved 1930s dress from it, and one side of the bolero.
The other side of the bolero I cut from a white-on-white quilting cotton, and that way when both sides are put together, it made a completely reversible bolero, thus giving me 3 looks from 2 garments.
I can wear it white side front with purple (matching) revers...
...or I can flip it around and have a matching jacket with white revers!
The white side has a little of the purple showing at the sleeve hem, which was a nice way to finish the cuff tidily. The cuffs were kept open so I could turn it right side out.
Quilting cotton does make it a bit bulky, as it's not ideal for a lined garment, but it also is definitely warm enough for an extra layer on a cool day.
I think after looking at these photos I liked the purple side best; but it's still fun to have the variety available.
I really like the large scale of the print - it really is a good choice for garments.
The dress I had made once before, so it was fairly easy to remember how to put it together. I think I did a better job on the closure this time around, since I knew what I was doing.
I wanted to use more buttons, but have a very limited supply of purple buttons - and this amount had to do.
It's a princess style, so it can be worn with or without a belt.
It's easy to go casual, without the jacket, or to dress it up a bit.
I couldn't get the corners very clean, when inserting the top yoke, so I covered it up with a bit of hand embroidery. It's mostly hidden by the print, but still adds a little cute detail.
A bit more involved than my usual quick projects, I did enjoy making this duo. I had intended in the past to make more matching jacket and dress sets, so it's nice to finally add one to the finished list.
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