Cropped Long Sleeve Bolero

Cropped Long Sleeve Bolero

A cropped women's bolero in knit fabric with long set-in sleeves and an open front. The front edges, neckline and lower back are framed by one continuous double-layer band, folded in half lengthwise, so the body has no hems to sew.

When To Wear

• Over sleeveless and strappy dresses in the evening or in air-conditioned rooms.
• Over tops and camisoles in spring and early autumn.

Key Design Features

Silhouette: Cropped, ending above the waist, with an open front and no fastening.

Neckline: No separate collar: the front band runs up both front edges and around the back neck, where it sits as a rolled band above the back.

Front: The Front piece and the Lower Back piece are joined at the sides into a ring, folded in half lengthwise wrong sides together and then handled as one layer.

Back: Back piece set between the folded band at the neck and the lower back band; seams pressed towards the back.

Sleeves: Long, one-piece set-in sleeves with a seam line dropped below the shoulder; sleeve seam pressed towards the back of the sleeve.

Finishing: Sleeve hems overlocked, turned up and topstitched with a twin needle; seams sewn with a stretch or narrow zigzag stitch and overlocked.

Level Of Difficulty

Beginner. Four pattern pieces, straight knit seams, a folded band in place of facings and hems, and set-in sleeves.

Fabric Recommendations

Knit fabric with medium or high stretch, in natural or blended fibres.

Additional Supplies

• Twin needle for the sleeve hems