Is it a top? Is it culottes? No, it’s a faux-jumpsuit.

Subtitle: An ode to the generosity of other sewers.

I have wanted to make a jumpsuit for a while. But let me tell you, I have a solid aversion to getting mostly naked to pee anywhere apart from my own home or a camping trip. Enter the ‘faux-jumpsuit’ – a two-piece masquerading as a one-piece. All of the fun, none of the risk.

This fabric is something I picked up second-hand in Dunedin at Nurse Maude while on a sister getaway recently. I don’t know what it is, but it drapes beautifully. It wasn’t super-fun to sew, but you can’t have everything right?

The Bottom

The lovely Camilla from Making and Marking was having a pattern de-stash and I scored this pattern which I have seen and wanted but couldn’t seem to find to buy. So generous! I love culottes, and the soft draping details on this pattern are very appealing.

I cut the straight 12 and didn’t make any changes to this pattern apart from adding half a centimetre to top of the pants on the right hip.

This pattern is VERY simple. Like no stay-sticthing, finishing details lacking, and odd construction. Particularly pockets. I think all Indie pattern companies should have to attend a pocket construction bootcamp – I’m looking at you too NAMED!

I pretty much ignored that and did what I thought best. I love the cut and their patterns really seem to fit me. So I can overlook most/some things!

The Top

This is the first time I’ve made this pattern. It was in a big stash of vintage patterns that my sister was given. She took all the dresses and I took all the separates – win! I fell in love with this top but there were no instructions 😦 so we did an internet search, found this lovely lady who had also made the pattern and emailed her and she photocopied and posted my sister the instructions – I love the sewing community! ❤ [For the life of me I can’t find her blog now.]

The pattern was one size, a *vintage* 12 so that’s what I made. I crossed my fingers, took a deep breath and just gave it a crack. It pulls a little across the chest and next time I will add about 2.5 cms to the length of the top in the top piece, but I used literally every scrap of fabric I could even getting this cut out so there was no time for fabric generosity here.

Very easy construction and came together quickly. I did lower the neck line a little and didn’t bind the sleeves, I just hemmed them while the top was still open at the sides.

I do love this top and can see I will make it again. With a few minor adjustments.

The Jumpsuit

I’m pretty damn pleased with the overall look of this together. There wasn’t even the slightest possibility of pattern matching with how greedy I was being so, whatever. Thinking with fancy shoes and red lippie for going out,  or sneakers and a denim jacket for those moments when I’m trying to seem cool. But also can see myself getting a lot of wear out of the single pieces as well.

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