The moment I woke up and the temps were in the 50’s, I immediately started thinking fall and remembered how much I love neoprene and structure. So enters this royal blue and white neoprene. If you aren’t familiar with neoprene, it’s a stretch scuba material that doesn’t wrinkle or lose it’s shape, it makes sexy skirts and dresses as well as awesome structured pieces. The one downside to neoprene is because it’s a thick fabric and doesn’t iron or lay flat, creating a hem to lay flat with certain neoprene is close to impossible. In order to combat that issue, I chose to do without hemming and because the fabric cuts with such precision, as long as you cut with a rotary blade it leave you with a clean finish.
The top was made using Butterick 5948 view D with the following alterations:
-Removed 8″ from the length
-Added a top stitched front seam
-Removed 10″ from length of the sleeve
-Added a 10″x38″ inverted pleat bell sleeve
-Added a 9″ back zipper
The skirt was made using vintage McCalls 2905 with the following alterations:
-Removed 18″ from the length
-Added 4″ to the width of the waistband
-Removed the front darts
-Added a 20″x 20″ pleated drape to the right front of the skirt
Shop the look
Great bell sleeves! I can’t get enough of this trend, and you’re rocking it!
By the way, I’m hosting a blogger linkup on my blog today. I’d love for you to come share a post!
Style by Joules
Your top looks great. I loooooove a nice bell sleeve. That top looks nothing like the pattern. I have looked for bell sleeve patterns, but they are tricky to find.
Bonus for the colour, too!
Beautiful!!! I love your impeccable style.
I love the design of this top. It is so cool! I can’t wait for your new patterns to come out!
Yes!!! I have some red/white polka dot neoprene that I ordered and I was trying to figure out what to do!!! Now I just need to order the white neoprene! You are brilliant! I love this!!!
Hi Nikki – love the outfit particularly the top. Please can you let me know how you achieve the boxy fulness in the top. Do you cut a bigger size and if so by how many. I’m always a bit torn, think I’m bigger than I am and end up looking swamped when I just want a top to have a bit of ‘exaggerated’ fullness. Many, many thanks
Thank you
I cut one size larger because neoprene naturally creates a boxy shape unless it’s pulled tight. Keep in mind you may have to alter the neck or add darts to the back so the neck won’t gap.
Thanks – much appreciated