In 2010, my husband and I booked a New York to Canada cruise for October, 2011. In January 2011, I went to Liberia, Africa, to set up a sewing mission.  While shopping for sewing machines and other supplies, I saw this gorgeous blue silky fabric (perhaps charmeuse?).  I thought the color, pattern and feel would make a gorgeous formal for the cruise.  So I got 4 yards of it.

In September, I picked a pattern out of my stash.  Butterick 4298 (at least 12 years old) is a pullover, sleeveless, fitted and flared dress with back ties.  I used Butterick 3345 ( a new pattern) to make a matching bolero jacket from the blue fabric.  I knew it would be chilly as we sailed northward, so I lined the jacket with black fleece.  It looks good and is so-o-o-o warm and comfy!

Since the dress was to be fully lined (using the same pattern as the dress), I decided it would be cool to try turning it into a reversible dress.  Off I went on a hunt for fabric.  I found a pink paisley charmeuse that  felt like the blue fabric yet was entirely different looking.  To keep one side’s color from showing while wearing the other, I made 1/4″ bias tape from a lightweight black knit fabric and applied it like piping around the neckline and armholes.  To give a more elegant look to the garment, I understitched the neckline and armholes on the pink side by hand .  To prevent the opposite color from showing at the hemline, I applied a 1″ trim using the black knit fabric.  To further change the look, I made a detachable ruffle for the pink side, attaching it with hook and loop tape (see close-up photo of ruffle partially lifted).

The jacket and a silver purchased handbag accessorized the blue side of the formal. To accessorize the pink side, I made a shawl from black suede cloth and 4″ fringe.

For extra warmth, the shawl is lined with the same black suede cloth.  With some leftover pink ruffling, I made a hair clip.  The handbag started life as an inexpensive child’s purse with a handle of large fake pearl beads.  I removed the pearls and added a pink ruffle (ta da! perfect size for lipstick and room key).  In addition, the ruffle, the hem of the pink side of dress, the hair clip, the handbag, and the shawl, are all accented with black beading strands (see close-up photo).

The whole outfit turned out as I had envisioned.  And no one knew I was wearing a reversible dress unless I told them.  An additional bonus was having two dresses take up the space of one in my suitcase!  And next mission trip to Liberia, I will have to take photos of the formal(s) to share.

 

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