Wednesday 6 November 2013

Custom Made Bolero

I've made a few dresses lately and felt I was missing the one garment that would compliment them while keeping me warm as we transition through spring into summer.  Introducing the little black bolero!

Black Bolero


Black Bolero

This is a bit of a mis-mash of patterns.  First I started with the Sewaholic Renfrew which forms the base of the garment.  I reduced the length of the front and back pieces to 15.5" from base of neck to waist.  Then I took McCalls 5006 to shape the front,  which I had previously used to make THIS tie front cardie.  Lastly I used the band technique from the Papercut Patterns Circle Top I made HERE and HERE


Black Bolero

I inserted the sleeves flat, just 'cos it's easier, then whipped the machine up the side and sleeve on both sides.

I flat measured the curved edges of the front, the bottom edge of the back and the neckline to determine how long to cut the band.  This is applied as you would bias tape.

Black Bolero

I cut the Renfew in a size 4.  I removed 2" from the middle of the front, as I didn't want the fronts to meet but to just sit over my bust.  I made this with a cotton lycra, which I had bought to make multiple Renfrew's for the winter to wear under stuff as an extra layer - but didn't actually get there.  So the fabric still made it to a Renfrew but just not as initially planned.

I'm pretty happy with this.  Next time I want to make it in a lovely NZ merino but will re-draft with some adjustments:  cut a size 6 Renfrew, lengthen the shoulder seam toward the neck which will also give me more height in the back neck and front high chest, so it has just a little more coverage.  I think another 3/4" would do the trick!

Black Bolero


Black Bolero


I can see many more of these versatile little babies being made in a range of colours :-)   Far quicker to make one of these than actually use my knitting needles (sad to say).

More photos on my Flickr -->


20 comments:

  1. Cute and so versatile - so many dress patterns I love are sleeveless so a little bolero is perfect.

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    1. Thanks. Me too, all the dresses I've got are all sleevesless or just wee cap sleeves.

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  2. Such a nice fit and will be a great asset to your wardrobe!

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    1. Thanks - it's definitely one of my wardrobe necessities now.

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  3. All hail the bolero. It is a much maligned garment, but I love mine and use it for the same purpose.

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  4. Adorable and flattering, nice job! And, how great you frankenpatterned your own bolero. I see folks 'stealing' this idea in the future. :)

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    1. Thanks, I'm sure I wasn't the first and probably won't be the last - the renfrew is such a great pattern for wardrobe staples :)

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  5. It looks really great! And I'm sure you'll get a lot of use of it!

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    1. Thanks - I have to conscientious think about NOT wearing it every day now!

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  6. Oh, very nice! I'm impressed with your pattern mash-up! :-)

    Boleros are awesome for spring and summer - I loves them!

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    1. Thanks Kat. Mash-ups are fun, I should probably do more often, but buy a new pattern is just easier!

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  7. Love it Sandra and you've reminded me that I was going to make a few very similar ones (yep, plural!!) I have a Vogue pattern for one with gathers. Stay tuned! :)

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    1. I know right, you can never have enough boleros in your wardrobe - one in every colour combination would be fabulous.

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  8. It's a wardrobe essential - I love it, really cute :D

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    1. Thanks - I think I need more of them :-)

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  9. This is cool and it's brilliant the way you've created it, super impressed! Looks great on you.

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  10. I am sure I have already commented on this but alas, it was probably on my mobile phone and therefore didn't successfully go through. Loving the stuff that you're making! I must make one of these (or more!) for myself too! Perfect for the cooler evenings of the southern hemisphere summers!

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    1. Phones, so handy but so frustrating at times too! The bolero is one of my base wardrobe items for sure.

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