I love monochromatic two-piece sets. They add so much versatility to my wardrobe. Because not only do you get an already matched outfit, you get pieces that can be intermingled with what you already have.

Simplicity 9051 is the perfect pattern for a great single-shade look. For this pattern, I picked Theory Deep Rouge Stretch Poly Crepe (326857). This is a great drapey crepe that surprisingly didn’t crawl and was not difficult to layout and cut.

I cut the top in a size 14 and lengthened it by an inch. The keyhole cutout is in the seam, which makes it easy to adjust the length. The neckline is finished with binding for a nice clean edge. And the sleeves and bottom edge is finished with a narrow hem. I made the self-belt knowing that I’m never a fan of these. I ended up ditching it for a ready-to-wear leopard print belt.

The pants are practically (advanced) beginner-friendly. They have an elastic waistband, inseam pockets and side slits that extend from the knees to the hem.

I made a 1.5” full seat adjustment so my pants won’t dip in the center back. I also added 3” to the length.

I made another view of this for Mikaela last year, and it's been in constant rotation in her wardrobe. Hers turned out so well, I'd been saying I wanted to make myself one. I decided to use view C, the long version. I knew in the right fabric, it would gorgeous and dramatic.  

This pattern only has 3 pattern pieces... talk about a quick sew. And it's the perfect pattern to allow the fabric to be the star. While shopping at Joann Fabrics, I found this amazing Boho Style Burnout Velvet Fabric. My store had 2 bolts, one with this black background and another with a cream background. I love the idea of florals on a dark background for the cooler months and this is just perfect.

Velvet can be a very tricky, sometimes difficult fabric to work with. I've made a few successful velvet projects, so I decided to share some tips that I use that makes sewing velvet an enjoyable sewing experience. Here's my latest Youtube tutorial:

If you sew for others, I promise you that this is the type of experience that you want to have.  I bought this fabulous Terracotta Tie-Dye Cotton Gauze from Mood Fabrics.  I picked it with a cotton maxi dress for me in mind.  Mikaela spotted it as I was unboxing.  She grabbed that fabric quicker than I could get a good look at it.  She wrapped it around herself and started prancing and spinning around like it was love at first sight.  Because it was!

She began her own pattern search on what I could make for her! LOL  She received a quick lesson on stretch vs. wovens.  She decided that she wanted this Simplicity 1108, view A kimono.

This kimono is sized from XXS-XXL.  I cut the XS because she wanted it oversized.  And it's indeed roomy.  I could wear this -- if I could pry it from her hands!  Oh, and this fabric is 100% cotton.  Always remember to prewash or dry clean your fabric FIRST before you cut into it.  I washed this in hot water and dried it on high.  I needed to make sure I got all of the shrinkage out of it because I was handing this off to a teenager.  And we know they care nothing about sorting out laundry.  EVERYTHING in the wash on cold!

I had to press the fabric so that I could evenly cut it out.  The pressing removed a lot of the character from the gauze, but I had to so that the fabric way lay flat.  I used a very lightweight knit fusible interfacing for the bands.  Finding the right weight is extremely important because you don't want it to be too stiff and take away from the fabric's natural drape.

After attaching the bands, here is how I sewed the non-interfaced pieces which are facings.  The seam allowance is turned under and press.  This can be sewn by hand for the most impeccable finish.  But I chose to do an as-neat-as-possible ditch stitch.  You want to make sure that the finish on the inside is "clean" because as you see, it will show.

View A has cut in sleeves, so this kimono is basically back, front and the bands.  The back has a center seam and has slight gathering at the neckline.

I finished the seams with my serger and the seams are pressed to one side.  I created a narrow hem for sleeves.

This is probably one of the most perfect fabric for a kimono on this style... if you like that relaxed, carefree, heading-to-a-music-festival look.

If you can't tell, she loves piece and I'm sure she'll wear it to shreds!