Mix and Match Painted Floral Two Piece Set

I love sewing up matching sets! This double make is one of my faves, a lightweight midi skirt with a nice wide waistband and a simple sleeveless blouse. Both finished with matching buttons up the front. The bold floral really makes the look!

I had to have this painted crinkle cotton floral as soon as I saw it! This is another fabulous floral from Blackbird Fabrics, check out my leafy green floral dress here. I thought it would make a fab sundress but decided on separates to get a bit more wear out of this look. Both pieces are self drafted off my slopers. This is also my first completed look for my Greece Sewing Plans which I’ll share later in the season, probably Early Spring. We’re going on a family trip to Greece next September so I’m planning out my looks way in advance. Right now I’m gearing up for Fall/Winter sewing with all the fab fabrics I bought last year before my injury. Hopefully I’ll have time to sew everything in my stash. I’ve been working like crazy on my new business to hopefully get it up and running soon.

The skirt is very simple, I just added some flares to my skirt block, drafted inseam pockets at the side seams (which are drafted slightly toward the front instead of directly at the side which I find nicer for a pocket) plus a nice wide interfaced waistband. The skirt front has added extensions for the button bands and a shaped facing for the hem. This keeps the length where I want it and makes the curved hem simple super to sew. I love a faced hem- so easy to draft ( just mark the length you want your hem to be on the pattern and then trace off a copy) and makes for such a clean interior finish. My hem is faced in an off-white batiste and then sewn down for the look of an extra deep hem. The skirt seams are all serged in cream for a clean unlined finish. I wanted a very light skirt for summer and this one fits the bill.

The tank blouse is a loose fitting shell with added band extensions and an angled V neckline. It’s hard to see but it has darts under the bust to the waistline and a boxy shape. It’s lined in the same batiste as the skirt. I added a bit too much ease into the back. I’m most likely going to alter it, possibly with a seam down center back and raising the shoulder seams slightly on the back.

Interior Finishing:

All the Details:

Painted Floral Japanese Crinkle Cotton – Camelia/Navy × 5 (OOS)

Blackbird Fabrics

Love the texture of this crinkle cotton! The color is just as bold and beautiful as the pics.

Spectrum Cool 4 Hole Navy Blue Ombre Buttons JoAnn

It took me a long time to find buttons to work with this make. I had nothing the right color in my stash and wanted to wear this right away so I headed over to Joann’s to find grab a few. These blue buttons are a perfect color match with an interesting texture/finish. The size is just what I was looking for.

I love that I can mix and match this set. I wore the skirt with the navy self drafted tee below when I went to see the Anna Sui exhibit a few weeks ago. I love an elevated classic look, the bold floral print adds just enough interest to this basic silhouette. Once I take in the top slightly I’ll be able to wear it with a bunch of my me-made pants. I have another cream shirt I just made for fall that pairs perfectly with this skirt to make it work year round.

On the Homefront

It’s October which means all my sewing time this month is going toward Halloween! Check some of my older posts from halloween’s past if you need some inspo!

• Halloween Sewing 2019- The Addams Family
• A Maleficent Halloween
• Halloween 2017- Greek Gods, Mermaids and Skeletons!
• Handmade Halloween 2016
• Halloween 2015!
• Halloween Sewing Plans + Costumes Past

My daughter was originally planning on going as Dorothy form Oz but changed her mind ( of course I now have to figure out what to make with the blue check gingham fabric I ordered. She fell in love with a stretch velvet gothic princess dress at the Halloween store so is now going as a vampire princess. My son is dressing up a character from Naruto again and my husband may go as a Roman, a la Caesar. This year I’m fully obsessed with all things Marvel and most especially Black Widow. Maybe because my hair is really similar to hers in the movie! I’m making the black jumpsuit look- two toned leggings and a fitted pieced jacket to resemble the jumpsuit with a bit more versatility so I can wear it IRL.

I’m still on the hunt for accessories to complete the look and am ordering some Doc Martens now that they’re back in style again! I wish I still had mine from the 90’s- I had matte burgundy leatherMaryjanes that I wore backpacking through Europe. With my foot injury i’m thinking these will be perfect- stylish but very supportive.

Back soon with my Fall Sewing Plans! Happy Sewing!