This ensemble was inspired by this 1950 Balenciaga creation
For more information about this outfit click here.
Jacket
Click on any photo to make it bigger. These photos have been lightened a lot to show the detail.
Darts, back seam, and shoulder seams
Lining pieces
Stay stitch the neckline
Lining
Collar
Collar and sleeves
Underarm and side seams
Pressing the underarm and side seams
Hem
Stitch lining to jacket
Buttons
Cuffs
Mark the center of the cuffs with pins
Snaps and cuffs
Skirt
Darts and side seams
Cut off bottom of lining
Hand stitch back opening closed
Cape
Center back seams
Stitch top and bottom of cape, leave the ends open
Mark the fold lines on the cape
Zig zag the ends
Press the pleats
My super awesome tassel maker. I think I wore mine out.
To purchase a tassel maker click here.
I put tape on the back of my tassel maker to hold the floss in place.
Stitch the first tassel to the center back of the cape. I used a back stitch and stitched through each tassel twice.
After you knot your thread, pull the needle through the front tassel.
Brush out each tassel with a toothbrush or a cut off eyebrow brush.
Measure and trim the tassels to your desired length. I cut mine to 3/4".
Alternate Cape Fringe
Before I found the tassel maker, I made fringe for the capes. I used pearl cotton for the fringe and cut 4" lengths. Each fringe uses 3 lengths.
Another view of the back stitches.
From the back side, insert a small crochet hook through the back stitch.
Fold the 3 strands of pearl cotton in half and wrap it around the crochet hook.
Pull the fringe through the stitch.
Grab the fringe and pull it though the loop.
Pull the fringe tight.
Fringe from the right side. Trim the fringe to the desired length.
Hat
For instructions on how to make a pillbox hat, click here.
