Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: A Spring Jumpsuit

Happy Saturday Loves!
Have you ever fell in love with a pattern and made it 3 times? I have only found a handful of patterns that are truly a great fit directly from the pattern envelope without having to make a significant amount of modifications. This is true for McCall's M8009, a jumpsuit pattern.
The minute I saw the bodice of the pattern,  it reminded me so much of a dress I saved on Pinterest years ago. I have been waiting to make the dress for years but fear got the best of me not wanting to draft or modify a pattern from scratch.
When McCall's released M8009 last year,  I knew it was a must make. I made it first in a rayon from my stash and did not stop the night until most of it was done after falling in love with the fit of the bodice. The size 12 grading the midriff section to the 14 waist fits perfectly from the pattern envelope.  For the pants, the size 14 with a few of my regular crotch pants adjustments were made as well as lengthening the pattern by 4.5 inches.
When I saw KeKe Palmer the host on Good Day America, in December,  I was sold on making yet another one for my February blog post. I checked daily to see if Fabric Mart new designer arrivals included a similar challis fabric. This muted olive, black and white fabric was so perfect and I knew that I had to grab a few yards to make it before Spring. Unfortunately, it is sold out but here are some other amazing solid and print challis fabric perfect for this make.
Over the years, I have learned that Big 4 pattern instructions are not always clear.  For the bodice, the pattern instruction did not say to understitch which I personally feel is a must because this bodice is lined. To make my life easier, a zig-zag foot is so perfect as the clear area allows you to use the seam as a guide to understitch.
In addition for the midriff section, the pattern instruction did not say to apply interface for stability but based on my years of sewing experience, I knew right away that certain areas must be stabilized especially waistband areas and zippers. 
Also, when working with challis or silky fabrics,  avoid using a seam ripper and be careful with pins as the fabric tend to fray easily.  From a previous lesson when working with my first version, I decided to use clear tape to mark the main part of the bodice as this is lined.
Moreover, using a rotary cutter will make your life so much easy when you cut.  Personally, I use both weights and pins when cutting out my patterns.
I have shared and saved a few steps creating the bodice on my Instagram highlights section with the first and second versions. I even wrote a PERSONAL blog post comparing and sharing the pros and cons of working with cotton versus rayon.
I absolutely love this pattern especially the bodice and definitely plan to make a 4th and 5th version in a romper and dress this spring and summer. The flow, the feel of challis is absolutely perfect and I had so much fun shooting this jumpsuit with a professional photographer Michael Ernie who captured the beauty of this jumpsuit.  
I added elastic in the sleeves for a more versatile look! Rock it UP or DOWN.
Don't always judge how a pattern will look on you based on the model or the cover. Go to the design lines and see the cut and shape.  Mix and match the views, modify the pattern to fit your personal style and make it your own.   Do you only make the views that are shared on the envelope? I always shy away from just the exact views and ignore the model and focus on the line drawing that is featured on the envelope.  I personally feel that pattern companies should embrace our "Sewing Community" and feature  US "sewists" on their patterns envelopes to market their patterns.  If given the opportunity, I would definitely do it. Would love to hear your thoughts below.
I am excited about my 2020 makes even more as I will be taking my first sewing class at a local college- couture design. One of my goals in 2020 is to continue to inspire other women and men too to learn a craft that brings joy. Sewing has connected me with so many diverse people across the globe and they have inspired me to invest in my craft.  In support of Women's History Month in March, two of my colleagues (educators like myself) who are my sewing students will be collaborating with me on my next post. 
Sewing has been the therapy that we all need after a long day of teaching. I will be using my personal platform and voice to bring Community school programs back in our local school district and Home Economics into our Middle School curriculum which we have seen over the years to have slowly faded away. I hope that my voice will not only empower sewists but other educators, lawmakers and community leaders in my local city.
Here is a beautiful top I made for Valentine's day by hacking the Erica Dress pattern I shared in my January blogpost. I shortened the sleeves and neckband, added buttons in the back and made it a cute top.  I had about a yard of designer Ponte knit from a previous Fabric Mart which is all you need for this top.  Don't forget to stop by my Instagram page and view my saved highlights with tips and behind the scenes of my jumpsuit and this Erica dress hack.  Thank you so much for reading and be sure to check back next month and read all about my collaboration project.

One Love,
Marica - Overdriveafter30 

Comments

  1. Amazing fit. And you wear it very well. I would color block the waist band but that's just me. The fabric gives a fantastic look on you. Maybe they are listening and will someday use sewers on their covers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes the color block would be amazing but only found the fabric in one color. Saw the color block version on Keke Palmer. Yes one day I hope the pattern companies will use sewist on their covers.

      Delete

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: A Mother’s Day Gift - Making my Daughter’s Prom Dress

Happy Friday All! As a mother and sewist, I am always planning months in advance for any special occasion dress. Due to the pandemic, my daughter missed all the activities at the end of her elementary journey and I was truly heart broken. She did not have any promotional ceremony, field trips or activities for the last few months of elementary school. I made a vow to myself that in Middle School, no matter what life throws us, I would make the perfect Junior Prom dinner dance dress even if she had to twirl in it at home. When I came across this beautiful blue lycra sequins fabric, I was thrilled. My daughter Arielle and I spoke a few months ago about the perfect Grade 8 Junior Prom dinner dance dress. She found an inspirational photo on Pinterest back in December which was a one shoulder maxi dress that sparkles and she was excited about me making her special dress. At the time she wasn’t quite sure of the shade of blue she wanted but after our trip to Jamaica during Spring break, she

Made By A Fabricista: Rayon Challis Separates for Me!

This month I decided to take a minute to sew something for myself! Knowing that I was about to move house (I'm excited to be getting a nice big sewing room!), I opted to use some tried-and-true patterns that I knew would be quick and easy to sew: Jalie Michelle and Jalie Geneviève . I've really loved seeing garments made in crinkle challis lately, so I selected a solid mustard yellow crinkle challis with a plan for either pants or a skirt ( Geneviève is a skirt, but there's also a culotte option available for it), and two sateen challis prints for a top (Michelle can be made either as a top or a dress). I considered making a reversible top with both fabric prints, but upon playing with them in real life, opted for two separate tops with a facing. Given that challis tends to be a bit shifty, it's best to starch it before you begin cutting out your project. It's also best to cut it out on a large surface with a rotary cutter so the fabric doesn't get distorted.

Made by a Fabricista: YouTube Edition | Marty - Let's Make a Spring Dress

Light Cornflower Blue/Fern Green/Imperial Red/Multi 100% Rayon Floral Print Challis 54W I don't have much to say about my project this time. Other than I can't be happier with how it turned out. I think it'll make a cute romantic dress for summer but also blend into the high-fantasy wardrobe that I want to create. It'll be fun to play with and explore. Hopefully, next time my life will be a little more put together and I'll be a little less stressed. But for now, I hope you all enjoy this project as much as I do. With all the chaos included. MARTY   |  @scrappypatterns Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly! You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following category,  CHALLIS .