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Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

Shooting Star bolero and Cotton + Steel Arrow dress

July 24, 2014 by Tasha 51 Comments

My latest two finished projects are both repeats of a sort! And I’m pretty excited about both of them. This is my Shooting Star Bolero and my Cotton + Steel Arrow Dress.

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Oh yeah, if you missed that I went red and that photo surprised you, you can catch up on my hair color! Also we very recently painted our den and bedroom (FINALLY OMG) and hung up art, so welcome to a new place for me to take photos! I’ll give you the grand tour of the final room once we have the cellular shades installed. (The bedroom will be a little longer to reveal as we wait for a couple of small furniture pieces to arrive later this summer.) Suffice it to say we’re over the moon about both spaces now!

But back to the topic at had! The yellow bolero is another version of my Knit for Victory bolero, from a pattern I designed for myself (Ravelry project page here). The original is in dk weight but I wanted to try something a little different and used a fingering weight yarn knit at a looser than normal gauge. You can kind of see that it’s a bit more airy in the photo below. It was knit at about 6 stitches per inch. The yarn is Wollmeise Pure from my stash, and the colorway is Sternschnuppe. When I looked that up in German it means shooting star. Hence naming it the Shooting Star Bolero!

Cotton + Steel arrow dress with a kicky yellow bolero

The only other change I made was to knit the cuffs and band in seed stitch instead of ribbing, in one size smaller needles than the body (which was knit on size US 4, for reference). This was completely seamless, with the sleeves knit top down and the front band picked up and knit out from the edge.

bolero

As it happens I kind of knit it on the fly as my road trip knitting when we went to St. Louis, and my gauge was off, so it’s a tad smaller than I planned. Which is totally my own fault for trying to swatch using my iPhone to measure my gauge and not blocking it. I was stressed out at the time so in that case it was just more important to knit! And thankfully it’s still very wearable, and the fabric is lovely and drapey.

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Now for the dress! It’s another version of Simplicity 1523 from 1945 that I used for my Singin’ in the Rain dress, just with a different neckline. The fabric is from Cotton + Steel, which has garnered a lot of well-deserved attention this spring and summer. It’s a new collaboration with five amazing fabric designers, each with their own line of prints, and a few lines of more basic prints that coordinate. Seriously, sooo many amazing fabrics. It makes your head spin!

arrows-purse

Rochelle and I were both waiting for months for their launch and put in pre-orders because we were so excited, and the fabric does not disappoint! Very soft for a medium-weight cotton, and it’s lovely to wear.

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And HELLO THESE ARROWS. I can’t get over how amazing this print is. The designer is Melody Miller, and it’s from her Mustang line. You really can’t tell but those dots that follow the arrows are gold metallic. I know!

I bought mine from Hawthorne Threads and they’ve already sold out of this print but fear not, looks like more is on the way! (And I know lots of other places are starting to stock Cotton + Steel now too!)

I actually cut the entire dress except the waistband on the cross grain, so the arrows technically should go horizontally. But I really desperately wanted them to be vertical, with them only horizontal on the waistband.

cottonsteelarrows

Which would of course require having a wide enough piece of fabric left to cut the waistband on grain. So when you have plans like that, here’s a tip: don’t wait to cut your waistband last! I discovered that I didn’t have a long enough piece to cut it with horizontal arrows. Gah! I spent at least an hour trying to figure out how to piece it together from the skinny strip I had left, which meant there was no way I could match the arrows exactly.

In the end, I managed to make it all work with, and the seam at the side is nearly invisible. Of course it’s not lined up well on the zipper side, but I’m lucky I could even get this part to work!

side-seam

And I think the placement of those two arrows on the center front totally makes up for that fact, anyway!

waistband

I didn’t end up having a navy zipper, so I went in the complete opposite direction of having it match, and picked orange. It’s a fun little flash of color for my lapped zipper!

zipper

You may have seen that Lladybird Lauren teamed up with knitwear designer Andi Satterlund for an outfit-along this summer. So these projects are my outfit! Of course, I often plan to knit and sew things to wear together, but I’m always up for an excuse to plan out an outfit. 😉 And I knew immediately how I’d accessorize it—with my 1940s cowboy boots and a tooled leather purse.

Cotton + Steel arrow dress with a kicky yellow bolero

Cotton + Steel arrow dress with a kicky yellow bolero

(Yep, I moved the coffee table out of the way for photos and then stood in front of it where I moved it. Ha ha!)

Anyway, I adore this dress and I think it pairs great with the bolero, plus I know the bolero will be perfect with plenty of other things in my wardrobe, too. Definitely a successful outfit!

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outfit details

40s dress – made by me
bolero – made by me
40s pee wee cowboy boots – eBay (originally bought for our wedding)
lucite earrings – Leetie Lovendale
tooled leather purse – misc.
Bakelite bangles – misc.
brooch – The Pink Bungaloo

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Filed Under: Knitting, Sewing, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: cowboy boots, dresses, finished projects, vintage knitting, vintage sewing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cedar says

    July 24, 2014 at 9:09 am

    This turned out beautiful, that fabric is to die for….and your bolero is perfect! I may have to knit up a version for myself, since it is about all a pregnant lady can slip on pre and post baby!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 24, 2014 at 9:58 am

      Thanks! I bet boleros and cardigans would be perfect for you right now!

      Reply
  2. Ginger says

    July 24, 2014 at 9:48 am

    Ooh, that print! The outfit looks great! Here’s a silly question: do you ever find it tricky to get in and out of dresses with a side zip while keeping your hair intact? I feel like such a mess after I finally get in the dress, but I think I’m doing something wrong!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 24, 2014 at 9:57 am

      OH YES. Gawd I look like an insane person when I get dressed!! I love doing side zippers (admittedly part laziness, since it’s so much easier, but I also like that they’re more discrete), but lately they’ve been starting to really bug me for exactly that reason. I’ve been annoyed with shimmying in and out of things like a lunatic. So on my current project I’m going for a center back zipper!

      Reply
  3. Rochelle New says

    July 24, 2014 at 10:06 am

    This is my most favorite outfit I’ve ever seen on you! The dress fits you perfectly and looks excellent with the accessories you paired with it. I’m totally dying over those boots and the tooled purse!!! Squueeeeee!!!! Too much cute for one post! …why did I not buy any of that arrow fabric. WHY.

    Reply
    • Cindy says

      July 24, 2014 at 10:49 am

      Fabric.com has that arrow print in stock, not that I’m trying to enable you or anything.

      Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:13 am

      Thanks dear! <3 Cowboy boots are the best!

      Reply
  4. Moe says

    July 24, 2014 at 10:07 am

    Gah! This outfit is perfection!! Every time you make one of those short sleeved boleros, I keep telling myself I need to try making one soon. They are so smart- looking and functional! And that fabric you used on the dress is FABULOUS, and need I say how nicely the yellow and navy compliment your new copper hair? Yes, I need. The whole thing is glorious!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:14 am

      Thanks so much, Moe! Yep, you could totally do a bolero. They really aren’t that much knitting, I swear!! 😀

      Reply
  5. Helen Mae says

    July 24, 2014 at 10:28 am

    I need one of those tooled leather bags. I love the horizontal arrows on the waistband of your dress and the orange zip is super fun.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:14 am

      I love tooled leather bags! And thanks. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Lauren says

    July 24, 2014 at 10:47 am

    Arghh I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet, but I LOVE your red hair! Love love love! You make such a cute redhead (I mean, you’re cute regardless… but ohhh, that red!), and your hairstylist is an absolute magician. I can’t get enough of Ginger Tasha. I love it!

    Also loving this whole outfit. What a fun ensemble! I’m so glad you were able to get that waistband to work, because the arrow placement is basically the best part of the dress 🙂

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:15 am

      Awww thanks, much appreciated from a beautiful… blue head? lol What does one call someone with gorgeous blue hair?! 😀

      Reply
  7. Mary says

    July 24, 2014 at 11:19 am

    I *just* ordered that print too! I used to compete in archery, so anything with arrow print makes me swoon. I also ordered one of the coordinates for the waistband and trim of the dress I’m planning on making, but now you’re making me want to do a horizontal arrow waistband as well. Gahhhhh! I hope I have enough of the print for me to do that. You’re also making me want to take up knitting again. I might even be able to realistically finish a bolero…

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:17 am

      Awesome, and sounds like the perfect print for you! I do think another fabric would be great for a waistband, I actually liked the way the look of the turquoise inner band was with the fabric. So you could definitely go either way!

      And I always encourage everyone to take up knitting (especially if you’ve done it before). 😉

      Reply
  8. Hayley says

    July 24, 2014 at 11:28 am

    I am in love with that print! Will definitely have to hunt some down!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:17 am

      Yes, it’s a fab print!

      Reply
  9. Janey says

    July 24, 2014 at 1:12 pm

    I am utterly in love with this fabric! And the details of your construction are spectacular! Also tooled leather! Adore!!

    xoxo
    -Janey

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:17 am

      This print has your name written all over it, Janey! 😀

      Reply
  10. Laura says

    July 24, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    It really surprises me not one whit that you’ve made a dress in the fabric I’ve been mooning over. I love your review of it, and wouldn’t have realized there was metallic gold to be had in it…

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:18 am

      Thank you! The description on some of the sites selling it does mention the metallic. And some of the other Cotton + Steel fabrics have metallic in them too!

      Reply
  11. Jessica says

    July 24, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    This outfit turned out fantastic. I love that print, and the navy with the yellow work really well. The little touch with the orange zipper is so fun – I like that it’s a quirky little peek of color if you know it’s there, but it doesn’t draw attention to itself. Very fun.
    Cheers!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:18 am

      Thanks! Yeah, I really like the orange zipper. Sometimes lapped zippers can be hit or miss in terms of actually hiding the zipper, but in this case it’s pretty discrete, so you just occasionally see the fun color. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Lauren of Rosie Wednesday says

    July 24, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    I love how you changed the direction of the arrows on the waistband! Divine!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:20 am

      Thanks, Lauren! That’s why I was hellbent on making it work, even after I dumbed out on cutting the other pieces!

      Reply
  13. Marie says

    July 24, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    I want to scream out loud with pure delight! Your entire outfit is divine, you rock so hard Tasha!!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:20 am

      Awww, thanks Marie! xo

      Reply
  14. Lisa Suit says

    July 24, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    Absolutely fabulous! ! You look just gorgeous and I love the way it coordinates with your new hair color! Also, I know you said you weren’t planning on publishing a pattern for that hole to,but if you ever change your mind I will be first in line!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:21 am

      Thanks, Lisa!

      Reply
  15. Lisa Suit says

    July 24, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    *For that bolero. Gaah stupid auto correct!

    Reply
  16. Julie says

    July 24, 2014 at 11:44 pm

    I adore this entire outfit! if you ever tire of it let me know, I can find a great home for it here in Brisbane

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:21 am

      Ha ha, thanks!

      Reply
  17. Rebecca says

    July 25, 2014 at 12:17 am

    So awesome! All of it from hair to boot perfection! So much to love in this post! Thank you for sharing all your beauty, knitting and sewing tips they’re so much appreciated!!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:21 am

      Thanks so much, Rebecca! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Helen // Grosgrain Green says

    July 25, 2014 at 4:16 am

    Love love love this fabric, and the dress. It’s beautiful!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:21 am

      Thanks, Helen!

      Reply
  19. Lynne says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:50 am

    I can’t stop looking at this dress, it’s gorgeous! I can see why you loved this fabric print, and I love vertical arrows and the horizontal arrows on the waistband. You’ve such a good eye for details like that.

    Reply
  20. Victoria says

    July 25, 2014 at 11:33 am

    This is an amazing outfit- I love it so much! Did you need much more fabric for cutting the dress out in the direction you did? I would really like to knit some boleros, but I am just learning to knit. I haven’t make any sweaters yet, I was thinking of taking the Craftsy class “My First Sweater”, but I would like to make more vintage-y cropped ones. Do you know of any patterns that are good for beginners? Sweaters or boleros.

    Reply
  21. Jessica Cangiano says

    July 25, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    Splendidly lovely across the board! The dress, the mustard cardi, your new living room colour – every element!!! I really like that you went with vertical arrows for the body and horizontal for the waist. That combo just knocks it right out of the ballpark.

    ♥ Jessica

    Reply
  22. Stacia says

    July 25, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    This dress is amazing! I am goo-goo eyed over the fabric!

    Reply
  23. Joanna says

    July 25, 2014 at 7:58 pm

    Oh this is so masterfully made and fits you so well. This print is so spot on!! I’d want to wear this dress everyday. So well crafted. Glorious!

    Reply
  24. retro rover says

    July 26, 2014 at 7:30 am

    this could be the most perfect outfit Ive ever seen I love it

    retro rover

    Reply
  25. Annabelle says

    July 27, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    This is such a great outfit, the sweater coordinates perfectly with the dress. I love the fabric you picked out, and choosing the run the arrows on the vertical is brilliant. I am going to have to hunt down that new fabric collection 🙂

    Reply
  26. Nicole says

    July 28, 2014 at 4:29 am

    This whole outfit is just spectacular, as is your new hair!

    Reply
  27. Abigail says

    July 29, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    What a darling outfit! I love the new Cotton and Steel line, and thank you so much for tips/ideas on modifying your knitting pattern! I love shrugs and boleros, and the mustard yellow coordinates perfectly with your dress.

    Reply
  28. Nicky Gray says

    July 30, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    Id like to see the whole tattoo on your right arm.
    It looks like there are cotton reels on it ???

    Reply
  29. Emily says

    September 16, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    So in love with your dress!

    Reply
  30. Angela Raney says

    July 16, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    Hi, I love the print and the dress! Could you tell me what pattern you used? Was it a vintage pattern or a pattern you made yourself?

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      July 17, 2015 at 8:56 am

      Hi Angela, I mentioned it in the post. 🙂 It’s a pattern from 1945.

      Reply
  31. terri says

    July 21, 2015 at 8:16 pm

    This is stunning!! It fits you perfectly and looks super well made, great work!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Brave Little Mortmain Dress | Sweet Carolanne says:
    September 18, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    […] and I am so glad I did because after the fabric was pre-washed and safely packed away in my stash I saw this fabulous dress from Tasha and knew exactly what to do. Mortmain 2.0 with a horizontal waistband and gathered […]

    Reply

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Welcome! If you’re into vintage style, knitting, sewing, and general craftiness, well then grab your favorite drink because you’re in the right place! I’m Tasha. Read more...

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