When I can’t find the perfect dress for an event coming up, one of my favorite things to do is take a look at my sewing pattern library and see what can be switched around. For today’s dress, I wanted a simple dress with a pleated skirt paired with an asymmetrical neckline. Since no patterns were exactly what I was looking for, I grabbed the two closest to my vision: the Valeriana Bodysuit and Romulea Skirt.

Purchase Materials Used Below:

• 4 yards Sun-Dried Tomato, Navy and Metallic Gold Floral Jacquard
• 1 yard Burgundy Stretch Satin
• Wine Invisible Zipper

• MDF178 – The Valeriana Bodysuit Sewing Pattern (download it here!)

• MDF133 – The Romulea Skirt Sewing Pattern (download it here!)

Alternative Recommended Fabrics:

• Jacquard
• Mikado
• Faille

Rather than make the two patterns separately, I skipped the following pieces and attached the garments at the waist:

• Valeriana: Panty Front and Panty Back
• Romulea: Waistband

I followed the Valeriana instructions to create the bodice (leaving one side seam open to insert a zipper later) up until the panty was atttached and then switched to creating the Romulea. Then, rather than gather the skirt into the waistband like the original instructions state, I gathered it into the Valeriana bodice and inserted an invisible zipper along the side seam of the bodice and skirt.

I also created a lining for the bodice portion of the dress that was mostly slip-stitched into place.

Have you ever combined 2 patterns before? How was the final result? Let me know in the comments below!