Not that there is ever a ‘dull’ week but some are particularly spectacular. Or should I say frocktacular! Did you see this fiesta-in-a -dress that is 1//Rachel’s birthday get-up? Complete with a boned bodice & beautiful hand-made strap details, I am awed. Totally and utterly. 2// With matching sets on the brain, it’s no surprise I fell in love with Clare’s version of the Martini Dress pattern which is actually a one-piece ensemble disguised as a two-piece. The fact that it’s made with curtaining only elevates its chic factor. 3// I just discovered Anne’s hand-makes along with this lovely striped number. Would never have picked it as a Renfrew tee hack! 4// Okay, sothis right here is summer in a dress! Pineapple print: check. Alder pattern: check. I assumed I would make the gathered version of the Alder (on it’s way) but consider me officially wooed by this straight through version by Avocado Halve.
Fashion is a funny thing, hey?! Take it back a month or two and you couldn’t have paid me to leave the house in a matching set. Or you could, but it would have cost you a lot of fabric. And here we are, me in my first edition to Two-Piece SET-ACULAR feeling pretty fine and dandy and you, probably asking Two-Piece Set-WHAT-ular and wondering if you’ve stepped back onto the set of Clueless. So, let’s recap. In This week’s See It Sew It post, I admitted a growing fondness for this 90’s throwback trend of matching sets, or’ Co-ords’, and invited the Blogosphere in for a Two-Piece Set-acular! And yes, I was a leetle bit nervous that it might be a party for one so I’m pretty flippin happy that you guys want to play along! Literally tongue hanging out to see your sets. As for a time frame in which to sew & blog / instagram your makes, I’m declaring August (or between now and then) official two-piece fiesta month!
Ok, so I mentioned here that why this trend is so much fun is that pretty much anything goes. There are all sorts of silhouettes that make for rockin two piece sets and I got all inspired and sketched up some combo’s that work with suggestions for sewing patterns you could use. This is a the perfect time to experiment with new shapes & styles OR return to those favourite sewing patterns, the ones you know and love and feel good in, which for me are these two: the Hannah Top by Salme patterns, previously sewn here, and Vogue 1247, from this recent polka+ floral combo. I think these two patterns work together as a Two-Piece Set because there is balance between the snug-ish skirt and the loose boxy fit of the top. The skirt is relatively short but the top has a high-neck, which all make me feel comfortable and not ‘exposed’.
How LOUD you like your two-piece sets is a matter of personal preference. I think this one is pretty tame really and proves that can do this trend with subtlety too. It all has a lot to do with the fabrics you choose. This print, a plain cotton check, is not something I’d usually go for except that I had a vision of it becoming something a little left of centre. It’s not a fabric you’d expect to see in a 90’s style crop or a two piece set, which is why it’s so FUN! But both pieces have slotted so easily into my closet as separates too. The top often gets worn with this pencil skirt, while bottom half looks cute with a white tee & my RTW navy blazer. Together they’ve made my hand-made closet more versatile, especially because the print is kind of neutral. So, a great idea before you start on your two-piece is to consider how it will mingle with the other items already in your closet. And when that sad day comes when no-body is wearing matching sets again, you don’t have to retire it!
Top // Size? 10 Mods? Extended the neck facing down into a full lining for more stability (fabric is quite light). Loved? The facing makes for an uber clean finish around the neck and armholes. Just cos? I made a matching self-cover button which didn’t make it in the photos & lovingly hand-tacked the hem.
Skirt // Size? 12 Mods? Same as this one, sheered a little off at the bottom side seams and back seam for a closer fit. Also, added the extra length I needed this time to make a proper hem. As well as a little extra length to the waistband so it overlaps lol. Loved? The way it’s all put together, especially the joey pockets and the insides, with their pretty binding. This time I used some left over bits in my stash and I like the effect, even if it makes me hungry for gelato!
So, what do you think? If you’d like to join in the festivities but want some more inspiration, there’s whole lot of matchy matchy goodness here and if you’re button-happy, feel free to grab yourself one here. There are even two-piece sets out in the blogosphere by a few girls already on it and yards ahead obviously: a summerlicious set by Sallioeh and this lovely by Madalynne.
Two piece sets, or ‘Co-ords’ is another 90’s revival trend and a whole stinkin lot of fun. Twice as much to be exact. And what is fashion, if not fun and a chance to try new things, experiment and play dress up?! While this print on print resurgence is all looking a little ‘Clueless’, thankfully co-ords have evolved from tartan midriff skirt-suits into something hotter & more wearable. If you’re a fellow print lover, this takes print appreciation to a whole new level! And I’m kind of hoping by the end of this post, I might have inspired some two-piece-set company…
If it’s not fun, it’s not fashion. Stick that on a t-shirt.
Sophie + monday night + glass of red.
Apart from looking pretty, two-piece sets are actually kinda genius. In any closet. But especially a hand-made one. You know all those agonising decisions over whether to use that fabric you love almost as much as the humans around you, to make a top or bottom? Aha, make both! With some thoughtful planning, you end up with two wearable pieces in your closet which means, wait, let me do the maths…TWICE as many options. And yes, wearing them together is wild and dangerous but if you decide it’s not for you, (after test-driving of course) you’ve still got two banging new separates!
The other reason to get excited about co-ords is unlike most trends, it’s not body shape specific. You can literally stick any top and bottom pattern you know and love together and voila, you gots yourself a set! I also like that you can make this trend your own according to your personal style. If hard edge, high fashion mid-riff bearing sets aren’t your thing, co-ords also look perfectly set-acular in softer silhouettes and floaty fabric.
Okay, you’re almost convinced, I can tell. So, if anything goes and there are a million and one combinations, where does one start? I’ve conducted some heavy research (trawling Pinterest) and put together these examples of silhouettes that just work together as sets. Along with some corresponding sewing patterns! But of course there are many more options. The only rule, more of a suggestion really, is to not throw your own personal set of style ‘rules’ out the window in pursuit of two-piece fabulousness. Things you’d normally consider when sewing like what you love / loathe to wear, what suits and what you feel good in. That said, this could be the perfect opportunity to experiment with new shapes and styles.
Hard edge, mid-riff bearing sets not your thing? Co-ords also work set-acularly in softer fabrics and floaty shapes.
Here’s the thing, bloggy friends. I made one set. Then I made another. And another. And seeing as I’d be lying if I said that was going to be the last, all signs are pointing to a…TWO-PIECE SET-ACULAR! I’m hoping that some of you are, no wait, I KNOW that some of you are crazy enough to join me. If you still need a little more evidence / inspiration, I’ve been filling up a Pinterest board here. And, if you want to play along and post your finished sets / inspiration / progress shots on Instagram, the hashtag is #twopiecesetacular. Since nothing says fiesta like a grab button, here’s one I prepared earlier…
1// Kimono’s ey? They’re still on my mind! And this week I’ve been given yet another nudge to try making one from scratch like this dreamboat Kimono jacket from Caroline Amanda at Sewaholic. Caroline hinted at the fact that she wasn’t sure if a Kimono jacket would suit her curvylicious figure (my words, not hers). Well, Caroline, let it be known, socks have been knocked off!
2// A few weeks ago, True Bias released a fresh new pattern, the Hudson pant. I’ve had the pattern prepped and fabric ready to go but been wondering whether I could sub in the same fabric used for the pants, for the waistband instead of ribbing. Kelli’s gone done read my mind and sewn up another pair in a wild woven fabric, WITH the same fabric for pant and waistband and included a how-she-did-it too.
3// If you’ve been hiding under a rock while Grainline Studio’s released the Alder shirt-dress pattern, it’s time to come out. Currently Jen is walking us through a whole bunch of different fabric variations you can use for the Alder on the Grainline Studio blog. This silk print version is my favourite, but that’s hardly surprising. So now I shall wait for the Postie to bring me my Alder because…it comes in HARD COPY! It makes me so very happy when precious sewing time gets to be used for actual sewing!
4// I cannot get enough of Crab & Bee ‘s hand-makes which all fall into the category of beautiful, understated, well-thought-out-ness! Morgan’s hand-made closet always reminds me that less is often more when you’re trying to create a very wearable wardrobe. This week, she’s worked her magic with a humble t-shirt pattern. And produced this knit dress! See what I mean? Effortless. Chic.
Aloha! We’re starting to scrape the bottom of the un-blogged projects pile here. This top, the Salme Patterns Pleated T-shirt has become one of my favourite pieces in the hand-made closet. Bahhh? No prints here? Well, that’s what grabbed me with this pattern; it looks so great sewn up in solid colors, you don’t need any flamingos / triangles when you have a pretty pleated front. For once I was smart enough to take my print goggles off for a second and recognise this!
The fabric is one of my favourite pieces from the stash. It’s a silk crepe de chine and I have to say these photos don’t really do the delicious chartreuse color justice. It’s also the fabric I used way back in Project Sewn for the pieced sleeves on this blazer. And I’m extremely very happy that it’s now made up into this simple top and I now get to enjoy it twice as often. Is that weird? Do you ever find that you love a fabric so much, that you feel like why stop at one piece when you could sew two?! And that right there is the argument for this crazy two piece set trend which I’ve fallen prey to!
The pattern is a goodie. Friendly instructions. Great fit straight off. A facing finish for the neckline. And dem pleats! I didn’t really have a system for marking the pleats, can’t recall exactly how I did it but just know it was not above board. Apart from that it all went rather fabulously. And I’m glad I added sleeves in the end so thanks to all who cast your ‘to sleeve’ or ‘not to sleeve’ vote in Instagram. I would still have one sleeve on and one off without you.
Size? 8. Mods? None. Loved? The facings and the pleats. Loathed? My pleat making method. Sew again? Ab-sew-lutely. Some other must-see versions of this pattern: Kelli’s neon lovely…so good! I also happen to love this cream one by Quixotic thread. Does this mean I’m a changed woman…converted to solids forever? Ha! NO!
I'm Sophie. Seeker of Sewing Highs. Join me, as I whoop-whoop zipper flys and cry over shrunk fabric. Our destination: the ultimate hand-made wardrobe.
Skirt // Size? 12 Mods? Same as
Bloglovin
Feedburner
Feedly
Kollabora
In Your Inbox
