Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: A Blouson Bodysuit

Happy New Year! Did you spend some of your holiday break sewing? I did! Though, as usual, I didn't complete everything on my "To-Sew" list. I enjoyed every minute with family and friends...and my sewing machine. I hope by now you're back in the groove because 2018 is already in full swing.


I've have been so excited about the bodysuit trend, but it took a while for me to find the right bodysuit pattern. When Simplicity released 8513 I thought "woohoo! This is it!". I loved all the options especially the bell sleeve, wrap bodice and mock neck.

Simplicity Pattern 8513 Misses' Knit Bodysuits
from Simplicity.com

However, after I sewed up View B, I realized I don't (currently at least) have a bodysuit body. LOL In my opinion my tummy is a little too big right now to rock it. Which really sucks, not because I'm carrying a few (ok ten) extra pounds from the holidays - I still love my body - but because I really wanted to rock a bodysuit. I love bodysuits because tees and sweaters have a tendency to ride up when you sit and I hate when a burst of cold air hits my lower back, especially in the winter.


From kommatiapatterns.com


Thankfully I stumbled across the Ferri bodysuit pattern from Kommatia patterns while swiping thru Instagram. Turns out a blouson bodysuit is my perfect bodysuit. It offers the "stay tucked-in-ness" of a bodysuit, but the fullness of a loose tee. Raglan sleeves are already a fave of mine and the wide scoop neckline was a great bonus.

I can raise my arms without worry that I'm going show some belly!

I've been eyeing the Black Superwash Wool Jersey since it was listed and this seemed like a great application for it. It's light weight gives the full top some drape but the wool content should be enough to keep me warm.



When I first pulled the fabric out of the packaging I thought it was going to be too sheer, thankfully I was wrong. Also when I went back to look at the listing it is clearly described as Semi-Sheer.  The Semi-wool feel was accurate as well as it isn't itchy or irritating, though I do not suffer from sensitive skin.  Also, it has a slub like texture that doesn't show well in photos.



Sewing the bodysuit was pretty easy, especially if you've ever sew a swimsuit before. The trickiest part was attaching the elastic at the leg openings. The rest of the construction was the same as any raglan tee.


I really love the bodysuit, though I which it draped over a little more. When I make it again I will add 1.5" to the bodice hem and hopefully that will result in the look I want.

I highly recommend this fabric and this pattern. I think I'm going to order the gray as well. I'm thrilled with my results!

See you next month.

Tiffany
TipStitched

Comments

  1. Love this, Tiffany! I was wondering about this pattern- I'm so happy to see someone has sewn it up with such great results!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I had never heard of this pattern maker, gotta love social media!

      Delete
  2. I love bodysuits and this one is fabulous on you. I love the zipper pockets on the front of your jeans too - they are too cool!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is cute! And making it in black is such a smart move. I'd be looking for all the bottoms in my wardrobe that I can wear it with.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Just Wear It Out!

Originally I wasn’t happy with my make this time around. I put it on fresh off the sewing machine and didn’t love how it fit. My elastic was slightly too narrow for what the pattern called for. I did end up putting a stitch to close up the v-neck on the top. I thought my sewing on the waistband looked sloppy and I looked kind of frumpy in the outfit. I was going to put the project down to fix later but decided to wear it out for some feedback from our web manager and one of the describers.  I ended up pleasantly surprised! The fabric is super comfortable and I felt really good wearing it. All the things I didn’t like kind of melted away wearing it out. The flaws were so small that only I noticed them. I think it’s important to remember that while striving for perfect seams and flawless construction is good, a handmade garment doesn’t have to be perfect to be wearable. This isn’t the first time I’ve softened on a garment after wearing, and it certainly won’t be the last! The 100% c...

Made By A Fabricista: The Sheer Volume Of It All!

This garment was inspired by a dress I saw in an ad, and when I went to purchase it (which I rarely do)…I realized that the dress didn’t come in my size. Ticked off and with $300 back in my pocket, I decided to draft it myself. The description listed the fabrication as a silk cotton voile, so I used that as a starting point to recreate the simple yet elegant silhouette.  My drafting experience is limited; I’ve only ever made garments that are pleated rectangles that fit into an elasticated waist. No darts, no complicated calculations, and definitely no sleeves. But I’d have that dress if it’s the last thing I do! I made a drawing, created a Pinterest board to document my inspiration, and narrowed down the features I really wanted to have: billowy bubble-hemmed bishop sleeves (say it three times fast!), a fitted and lined bodice, and a gathered tiered skirt. Finally, it was time to shop for fabric. I knew I wanted a silk blend of some kind, without breaking the bank. For weeks, I ke...

Made By A Fabricista: In Love with Linen

Linen is the best fabric to sew and wear. I selected a beautiful 100% linen from Fabric Mart that is a steel blue and cream floral linen to sew up a By Hand London Hannah Wrap Dress pattern. The flowers look like Dahlias. I originally sewed a Toile from a black and white cotton bedsheet, wore the dress a lot but never made it again. I gave the Toile away to a friend who always commented on how much she loved the dress. When I saw this fabric, I knew I wanted to make the Hannah again. Linen is so easy to sew the entire experience reminded me why linen remains one of my favorite fabrics to sew. I look for a light to medium weight  European linen for a dress. I like a rayon or cotton blend with linen because it seems to have more drape and be more soft. Linen gets softer with washing and wearing it. This particular linen feels crisp and after ironing and washing, softens up. I like how Fabric Mart describes the fabrics as top, dress, blouse, shirt weight under “Use” and will describe...