Two Piece Set Marseille Tutorial

Before I even finished making the original samples of the Marseille Dress, I made this two-piece hack! I just loved the idea so much I couldn’t wait, and this airy textured cotton fabric in my stash was just calling out to be used!

This is a super easy hack if you want to change up the look of the dress. Plus, you can use each piece separately as well. The skirt portion would look great with a loose white jersey tee, and the top would look great with high waisted jeans. I also like the look of the two pieces tucked in!

Here’s the easy tutorial if you want to make your own:

Step 1: Alter the two bodice pieces by lengthening by your desired amount (I did 2″), and widening the hem. Again, the new width is personal preference, but half an inch to an inch is a good amount. I suggest muslining the changes to make sure you’re happy with your added length and width. When sewing, omit the back darts. The placket and binding will be sewn exactly as shown in the pattern, except the hem will be at the bottom of the bodice instead of the skirt. Sew buttonholes and buttons as indicated in the pattern. You will need to add at least one extra button depending on the amount of length added to the bodices.

Step 2: Draft the waistband.

1. Measure the point on your waist where you want the waistband to sit. Add half an inch to an inch for ease. Make a rectangle with this length by the desired height (I chose 1.5″.)
2. Divide the waistband in two, a back and front waistband.
3. Divide the front waistband in two.
4. Add a 1/2″ seam allowance to all edges.

(If you are proficient in pattern alterations, you will note that you can also cut the waistband at double the height and fold it rather than cutting two sets. Totally up to you.)

Step 3: Cut two of each of the waistband pieces. Sew each set together, with two fronts and one back right sides together at the side seams. Interface one waistband. After fully sewing the plackets to the skirt per the pattern instructions, gather the top edge of the skirt. Evenly distribute the gathers, pin, and sew the interfaced waistband to the top of the skirt, right sides together. This step is the same as sewing the bodice to the skirt in the pattern, except the plackets are already sewn, and the waistband should overhang the skirt by 1/2″ on both sides.

Step 4: Press the waistband up. Press the seam allowances up as well.

Step 5: Fold the lower edge of the other waistband up by 3/8″. Lay this waistband right sides together with the other waistband and sew them together along the short ends and the top edge, maintaining the fold. The short ends will now align with the edge of the skirt plackets.

Step 6: Clip corners and turn the waistband right sides out, pushing out corners. On the right side of the skirt, edgestitch around the entire waistband, catching the lower edge of the waistband facing on the inside. Sew a buttonhole in the waistband and down the placket as indicated in the pattern. Sew corresponding buttons.

And that’s it! You can use either of the bodices or skirt lengths from the Marseille Dress for this hack. My version uses the V neck and calf length skirt. Have fun customizing it for yourself, or even using different or coordinating fabrics for the two!

Sources

Fabric: Alyssa May Design

Sandals: Sorel

Buttons: wooden, from stash