The new Love Notions Caprice Skirt goes with just about everything and as soon as I saw it in testing, I knew I had to figure out how to hack the Saltwhistle Top and Dress into a crop top to match. I love a matching set and I’ve been seeing ones with skirts like the Caprice all over my Pinterest. The good news is, it couldn’t be easier!
Materials
For this hack, you don’t need anything too fancy. I decided to use 1″ elastic in my Saltwhistle Top Sleeves and Hem so it would match the elastic in the Caprice Skirt waist. Therefore, I did not purchase the 1/2″ elastic the pattern called for. I used the length given in the pattern for 1/2″ elastic and simply bought the same length of 1″ elastic instead.
Decide on Your Saltwhistle Top Length
The first step was to decide how long I wanted my crop top and sleeves. I took the Saltwhistle top and only used the bodice and sleeve pieces. I held the bodice up to my body and decided that I was only going to add 1″ to the bodice. I used the 3/4 sleeves and shortened them by 2″ after holding them up to my arms so that they would be about elbow length when finished. I decided these adjustments while taking into account that:
- I am quite short (5’2″), so I might not need to add any length at all.
- I wanted to use 1″ elastic to echo the elastic in the Caprice Skirt waist. This means that the elastic would take up more length than the Saltwhistle pattern is originally designed for. I knew I would want to turn the hems under 1 1/4″ to create the casing.
A note on lengthening
I might not lengthen the bodice at all next time I make this, as I feel more comfortable in my (one and only) crop top than I anticipated. I originally made it so I could roll the elastic up to show more midriff or down for more coverage. Honestly, I prefer the version with more midriff showing.
If you are really unsure, you can make a muslin or add some length that you could cut off later if it turns out too long. The elastic at the sleeves and waist means that cutting some off to get the right length once you’ve sewn it up probably won’t make too much of a difference.
Transfer adjustments to your Saltwhistle top pattern pieces
The second step was the adjust the length of the bodice and sleeves on my pattern pieces.
To add an inch to the bodice, I separated both the bodice front and back on the shorten/lengthen line. I taped a piece of paper underneath and drew a line 1″ below the shorten/lengthen line.
I then taped the bottom of the bodice that I had cut off along the new line I drew. Make sure that the grainlines and center front line up!
To shorten the sleeve by 2″, I drew a line perpendicular to the grainline. I happened to be able to use the line formed by the bottoms of the pages as a guide. Then I drew another line 2″ below that, making sure that it was still perpendicular to the grainline.
I folded along the lower line and brought it up to the first line, effectively removing 2″ from the sleeve length.
Sew it up
The third step was to simply cut and sew up the Saltwhistle bodice, finish the bodice hem and sleeve hems with my serger and fold under 1 1/4″ to create a casing. I used my clover hot hemmer hem gauge to do this quickly and accurately. I left a 1 1/2″ opening on all the casings and then used a safety pin to thread my 1″ elastic through. I used the safety pin to close the elastic and tried it on the adjust the elastic until I liked how tight it was. Then I sewed my elastic ends together with a zig zag . Finally, I finished sewing my casings shut.
Voilà! A Saltwhistle Top and Caprice Skirt Matching Set!
I could not be more please with how this set turned out. It is so easy to wear and the pieces are versatile as separates, as well! Head over to my Instagram for a full video where I style my Caprice skirt with the Love Notions Classic Tee, Summer Basics tank, Cadence top and Metra Blazer, as well! You truly can wear this skirt for ANY occasion. You can also see the video below.
A super fast sew
If you’re looking for a quick sew that still packs a punch, the Caprice Skirt is your ticket. It’s the perfect pattern to help build your wardrobe, learn how to make gathers or create a small capsule around as I did.
This makes it ideal if you have any summer travel plans! If you’re a last minute sewist like me, you can sew this woven pattern up in an evening, no problem.
On sale!
The Caprice skirt will be on sale for $9.50 until Thursday, May 9th, 2024.
You can use my affiliate code and I receive a small commission that helps me continue to make sewing content. I was paid to test the Caprice Skirt and received a free copy of the pattern. I paid for the Saltwhistle Top and Dress Pattern and the other patterns mentioned above, because they are just that good! Happy Sewing.