Now
in sizes
2-34!

Dorothy Bolero

Price range: $20.00 through $25.00

A super versatile bolero pattern with multiple designs and finishing options
US sizes 2-20 and 18-34 (approximately 30.5″ to 64″ bust measurement)
Includes a fully illustrated booklet with design ideas, fitting advice, and multiple finishing options
Beautifully illustrated and full of vintage charm
PDF printable AO size sheets and A4/Letter size sheets included

VACATION NOTICE! Our shipping team is on vacation from August 28 to September 26, so ordering print patterns has been temporarily disabled.

Sewing Pattern

Clear

Boleros are the icing on the cake of a vintage-inspired wardrobe! These little cropped jackets cover your shoulders while still letting the world see the fabulous ensemble you’re wearing underneath. The Dorothy Bolero is all about giving you options, from daywear to evening glam. The band collar was inspired by vintage Hawaiian sets and it’s perfect for tiki and beach looks, while the wing collar is a classic ‘50s shape that pairs with everything from sweet day dresses to rockabilly jumpsuits (add the matching cuffs for extra flair!). Making the bolero collarless gives off a simple, understated vibe when you want the bodice of your dress to do all the talking (wink, wink). And, as always, I give you multiple finishing options: make the bolero unlined with facings or fully lined for a clean inside finish. There’s even a design chapter with more ideas like using sheers, making your bolero reversible, and creating a pretty closure with frogs or button loops!

Charts

Dorothy Size Chart

Not sure which size range to choose? Read more about our two size ranges here.

Sizes 2-20

Size	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
Upper Bust	29 in	31 in	33 in	35 in	37 in	39 in	41 in	43 in	45 in	47 in
Upper Bust	73.7 cm	78.7 cm	83.8 cm	88.9 cm	94 cm	99 cm	104.1 cm	109.2 cm	114.3 cm	119.4 cm
Bust	30.5- 34 in	32.5- 36 in	34.5- 38 in	36.5- 40 in	38.5- 42 in	40.5- 44 in	42.5- 46 in	44.5- 48 in	46.5- 50 in	48.5- 52 in
Bust	77.5- 86.4 cm	82.5- 91.4 cm	87.6- 96.5 cm	92.7- 101.6 cm	97.8- 106.7 cm	102.9- 111.8 cm	107.9- 116.8 cm	113- 121.9 cm	118.1- 127 cm	123.1- 132 cm
Waist	24 in	26 in	28 in	30 in	32 in	34 in	36 in	38 in	40 in	42 in
Waist	61 cm	66 cm	71.1 cm	76.2 cm	81.3 cm	86.4 cm	91.4 cm	96.5 cm	101.6 cm	106.7 cm
Bicep	15 in	15.25 in	15.5 in	15.75 in	16 in	16.25 in	16.5 in	16.75 in	17 in	17.25 in
Bicep	38.1 cm	38.7 cm	39.4 cm	40 cm	40.6 cm	41.3 cm	41.9 cm	42.5 cm	43.2 cm	43.8 cm

Sizes 18-34

Size	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34
Upper Bust	43 in	45 in	47 in	49 in	51 in	53 in	55 in	57 in	59 in
Upper Bust	109.2 cm	114.3 cm	119.4 cm	124.5 cm	129.5 cm	134.6 cm	139.7 cm	144.8 cm	149.9 cm
Bust	44.5- 48 in	46.5- 50 in	48.5- 52 in	50.5- 54 in	52.5- 56 in	54.5- 58 in	56.5- 60 in	58.5- 62 in	60.5- 64 in
Bust	113- 121.9 cm	118.1- 127 cm	123.2- 132.1 cm	128.3- 137.2 cm	133.4- 142.2 cm	138.4- 147.3 cm	143.5- 152.4 cm	148.6- 157.5 cm	153.7- 162.6 cm
Waist	40 in	42 in	44 in	46 in	48 in	50 in	52 in	54 in	56 in
Waist	101.6 cm	106.7 cm	111.8 cm	116.8 cm	121.9 cm	127 cm	132.1 cm	137.2 cm	142.2 cm
Bicep	17.75 in	18 in	18.25 in	18.5 in	18.75 in	19 in	19.25 in	19.5 in	19.75 in
Bicep	45.1 cm	45.7 cm	46.4 cm	47 cm	47.6 cm	48.3 cm	48.9 cm	49.5 cm	50.2 cm

Dorothy Yardage

Piece Name	Sizes 2-10	Sizes 12-20	Sizes 18-24	Sizes 26-34
Bolero Front A and Back, Fabric and Lining (1, 3)
45 in	1 yd • .91 m	1-1/8 yd • 1 m	1-1/8 yd • 1 m	1-1/4 yd • 1.1 m
60 in	3/4 yd • .7 m	1 yd • .91 m	3/4 yd • .7 m	1-1/8 yd • 1 m
Bolero Front B and Back, Fabric and Lining (2, 3)
45 in	1 yd • .91 m	1-1/8 yd • 1 m	1-1/8 yd • 1 m	1-1/4 yd • 1.1 m
60 in	3/4 yd • .7 m	1 yd • .9 m	7/8 yd • .8 m	1-1/8 yd • 1 m
Band Collar, Fabric (4)
45 in	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m	3/8 yd • .3 m	3/8 yd • .3 m
60 in	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m
Band Collar, Interfacing (4)
45 in	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m
60 in	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m	1/4 yd • .3 m
Cuff, Fabric (5, 6)
45 in	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m
60 in	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m
Cuff, Interfacing (5, 6)
45 in	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m
60 in	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m	1/2 yd • .5 m
Bolero A Front Facing, Back Neck Facing, Sleeve Facing, and Back Hem Facing (7, 9, 10, 11, 12)
45 in	3/4 yd • .7 m	3/4 yd • .7 m	3/4 yd • .7 m	7/8 yd • .8 m
60 in	3/4 yd • .7 m	3/4 yd • .7 m	5/8 yd • .6 m	5/8 yd • .6 m
Bolero B Front Facing, Back Neck Facing, Sleeve Facing, and Back Hem Facing (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
45 in	3/4 yd • .7 m	3/4 yd • .7 m	3/4 yd • .7 m	7/8 yd • .8 m
60 in	3/4 yd • .7 m	3/4 yd • .7 m	5/8 yd • .6 m	5/8 yd • .6 m

Finished Measurements

I always stress the importance of finished garment measurements (especially the bust) when choosing a size, but this pattern is a little different. Because of its cutaway design, it opens or closes to suit the wearer’s body. This means that there is a lot of flexibility in bust fit and no accurate way to judge what the finished bust measurement would be on you. This is why no finished bust measurements are provided and why I recommend using your high bust to choose your size. I did, however, provide the finished bicep measurement on the size chart (on the envelope) for your reference. Bicep measurements vary widely from person to person (even if they wear the same dress size), so it’s a good idea to check that finished measurement and make sure you have enough wearing ease (2–4 inches [in] is appropriate for this design).

Fabric Notes

Main Fabric: light to medium weight wovens: cottons like poplin, sateen, and lawn; silks with body like dupioni and shantung; sheers like flocked tulle, lace, and eyelet.

Lining: light to medium weight cottons and lining fabrics.

Supplies

dress and lining fabric
thread to match fabric
fusible interfacing

Weight	228 g
Sewing Pattern	Sizes 2-20 printed pattern, Sizes 2-20 PDF pattern (print-at-home and copy shop options), Sizes 18-34 PDF pattern (print-at-home and copy shop options)

Dorothy Bolero

Charts

Sizes 2-20

Fabric Notes

Supplies

Related products

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