This is the first of my makes under the umbrella of this years’ #sewtogetherforsummer Challenge (if you missed Suzy’s review of the Zadie Jumpsuit, you can catch that HERE )

I opted to sew the Sallie Jumpsuit by Closet Case Patterns for my first jumpsuit pattern; I’m something of a fangirl of CCF, so it seemed an apt place to start. However, the resultant make has proved to be somewhat of a divisive garment in my household! The verdict is split strictly down the middle between the sexes – my daughter and I love it; in fact when she first saw me in it, she insisted that I demonstrate it by strutting my stuff, catwalk-style, across the Lounge! But my son’s verdict was “it’s a bit weird” and my husband said he wasn’t sure he liked it. Does this split-verdict make me feel differently about it in anyway? No, it does not. Frankly it almost feels immaterial what I do or don’t look like in it, or what anybody else thinks about it because, in wearing it, I feel absolutely bloomin’ fantastic..

… a totally empowered Sassy Lassie, if you will!

I think this is a great pattern and you’re getting quite a bit of bang for your buck … there are several views, two lined bodice options and a maxi dress version! I’m totally wanting to make another jumpsuit with the tie shoulder and a couple of dresses too, the jumpsuits are perfect for Spring and Summer evenings and the dresses perfect for those balmy days!

It’s also a very simple and quick sew; here’s that word again…perfect!

That’s not to say that my first iteration is in itself perfect! I messed up early on – I always sew my knit patterns with a stretch stitch and realised once I’d sewn the shoulder seams at 5/8″ that I should have done them at 3/8″ – there’s no way I’d attempt to unpick a stretch stitch in the lightweight French Terry fabric I was using (I was gifted this fabric last year from Girl Charlee UK – unfortunately I don’t think this particular one is in stock anymore. However, they are offering a 10% discount for all #sewtogetherforsummer makers, just enter the code TOGETHER at checkout).

This meant, of course, that I’d lost 2/8″ in length from the bodice length. Not that big a deal in itself. However, I really wished I’d added at least an inch, maybe more, to the length of the bodice so that the bodice overhangs and hides the elasticated waist. The alterations I did make were to grade down at the waist and hip and I removed 2″ from the length of the leg; I did this once it was sewn up, preferring to judge the length when I was wearing my heeled sandals.

The bodice is lined (there are separate pieces for the lining); the ‘V’ neckline is stabilised with elastic both front and back…I strongly recommend stretching out your elastic before you stitch it in using a tricot stitch, if you have one – a zigzag if you don’t. It comes together in no time at all!

And talking about that elasticated waistband – if you can get your hands on one of these bodkins, I highly recommend that you do – it really does make threading it through its casing soooo much easier!

There’s not much more I can tell you; family divisions aside, haha, I love my Jumpsuit; its the ultimate in Secret Pyjamas! Oh but, whilst we’re here, shall we address the ‘toilet controversary’ regarding jumpsuits?!

I can’t speak for all jumpsuits, but having worn this one loads (including on a night out involving wine, and the resulting extra trips to the loo that necessitates!), the verdict is : this jumpsuit is incredibly simple to shrug down; you don’t even need to untie the back strap – you can just pop them straight over your head!

The next garment I’m planning to sew for the Challenge is another Closet Case Pattern; I told you I was a fangirl – I’m sewing the Jenny Overalls; I even got the hardware from them!

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Clearly I've not spent a long time on this 🙄 but I thought I'd see what these two patterns might look like on me…I'm thinking the wide leg of the Jenny Overalls and the deep 'V' of the Sallie Jumpsuit may both work to balance my top heavy frame? That's the thinking anyway! 😏😅 . . . #sewtogetherforsummer #seamstress #jennyoveralls #salliejumpsuit #closetcasepatterns #isew #sewists #sewistsofinstagram #seamstressesofinstagram #isew #sewingplans #sewingproject #sewsewsew #shesews #indiesew

A post shared by Sew Sarah Smith | Sewing (@sewsarahsmith) on Apr 16, 2019 at 11:18am PDT

I’ve also just sewn up a test pair of Overalls for a Soon-to-be-Released pattern, which I’ll share with you later but for now, how are your jumpsuit / dungaree / overalls plans coming on?

Happy stiching!

Disclaimer : this is not a Sponsored post – it does contain a link to one of the Sponsors of the Challenge and the link to the Bodkin is an Affiliate link. Any views and opinions I express are entirely my own and genuine. x