Butterfly Dress with Purple Piping

Earlier this month I shared my love of Simplicity 1364 Jiffy blouse pattern. I love how quick and easy this pattern is and the bateau neckline.

Butterfly Dress

I started to think that the blouse might make a good top for a dress. So, I went to my fabric stash and found this lovely pinky purple butterfly print fabric in my stash.

I had enough fabric for a full dress, but then started to weigh my options. If I attached the skirt to the blouse, I couldn’t wear it as a blouse. Which isn’t a big deal, but I’ve been wearing the other blouses so often with capris and just love how that looks.

Gathered Skirt

So, instead of a full dress, I decided to make a blouse and matching skirt. To make life easier I decided to make a simple gathered skirt with a waist band.
I like full skirts and I didn’t have too much fabric, so I cut two rectangles the width of the remaining fabric. Then I basically gathered the  rectangles to the size of my waistband.

Piping

I also wanted to give it a little something extra. I really like how the piping on my shift dress (Simplicity 1609) came out and thought this would be a perfect addition to this outfit.

I used a deep purple piping for the facing on the blouse. Next I wanted to add some piping to the skirt to tie it all in and give it a look of a dress, when I wore it together.

I decided to add the piping to the waistband. I made a 3 inch waistband so that it would have a more belt like look at the waist.

Fluttering Around

This dress makes you want to go out and flutter around.

I love the cherry colors and fun print. I also love how the piping gives the dress just a little more pizzazz.

While I love this outfit, I did have a few issues. First the arm holes are just a little snug, I’m not sure, but would guess it has something to do with how I added the piping. Granted this is only the second time I’ve done this.

Second, my waistband is a little big, only by an inch or so, but it wasn’t bad enough for me to take out and redo. Plus I’m trying to lose weight, so I’ll wait until it’s way to big before I adjust it.

Other than those nitpicky things I really love this little outfit. Plus I love that it’s a two piece, because that means I can extend my wardrobe by mixing and matching the pieces.

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