Jump back! Jumpsuit season is upon us!

Okay, okay, I know what you might be thinking. There are pretty much two distinct camps when it comes to jumpsuits. There's the "Yay! I love them! I wear them all the time!" camp and the "Never in a millions would I wear one" camp. And it seems that never the twain shall meet. 

But, guess what? I'm a convert! And I think sewing your own jumpsuit may make you one too.

Why, you ask? The biggest issue with ready to wear jumpsuits is the fit. As sewists, we know that every body is different, and this is especially true of the length of torsos and the distance from shoulder to (ahem) crotch. This means that when you try on a store-bought jumpsuit there's a decent chance that you'll either look like you have droopy drawers or you'll feel like you can't stand up straight without some sort of wardrobe malfunction (if you catch my drift).

That's why it's an ideal me-made outfit. And though it can feel like a big undertaking, the results are totally worth it. I'm wearing my jumpsuit everywhere these days and I plan on making more. I'm fully on the jumpsuit train. And with the four patterns we've chosen, I hope you will be too!

Sew Fearless Box: Joni Jumpsuit from Friday Pattern Company

Inevitably, when you think of jumpsuits, you think of the seventies. For good or ill, they are synonymous with the time period. And the Joni Jumpsuit, by Friday Pattern Company, captures the best parts of that period without the bell-bottoms and itchy polyester.

We've been wanting to use patterns from Friday Pattern Company for a while and we're so glad that we've found an opportunity. Their patterns are simple and elegant and capture an easy style that feels modern yet nodding towards the past. 

Such is the case with the Joni Jumpsuit. With cleverly designed tank straps that tie in back to make them adjustable, you can customize the top to fit your body. Plus, the bodice is fully lined and features a back zipper for ease of getting in and out. The wide pant legs are fitted at the hips and have optional patch pockets and the pattern can easily be modified to match any inseam or shortened to shorts.

With all these great things in one pattern, we think you'll really love your foray in the world of jumpsuits. So now, let's talk fabrics!

• Plum Heathered Rayon Jersey - With a medium weight, this jersey is beefy enough for bottom weight but the addition of rayon gives it great drape. In a rich plum color that will transition beautifully from summer to winter, this fabric will become a gorgeous wear anywhere jumpsuit. Plus, the heathered quality gives the fabric great visual subtly and a surprising sheen.
• Emerald Crushed Velour - Looking for your next going out outfit? Look no further than this luxurious velour. A crushed velour, it has great texture, and the emerald color is rich and vibrant. If this is your first venture into napped fabrics, it's a great one to start. The crushed quality will hide any flaws in pressing and be forgiving to the adventurous beginner!
• Royal Blue ITY Knit - ITY knits (short for interlock twist yarn) have wonderful drape and a smooth, almost silky feel. That's what makes it great for this project. The drape will show off the slight blousing of the top and will flow beautifully with the wide leg pant. And in a beautiful royal blue, you couldn't ask for anything more.

Sew Confident Box: Sallie Jumpsuit from Closet Case Patterns

If you're looking for a jumpsuit pattern with options, look no further than the Sallie Jumpsuit from Closet Case Patterns. With just the right amount of 70’s mojo, the Sallie Jumpsuit and Maxi dress is a chic and comfortable wardrobe staple; it’s easy to wear, easy to make, and easy to slip on and off in the ladies room.

Plus, this pattern features a number of customizable options. Choose between a self lined V-neck tee with tie neck closure, or a strappy tank with shoulder ties. On your bottom half, mix and match wide leg pants, culottes or a maxi skirt with side slits, all with convenient pockets and a comfortable elasticized waist.

So, let's explore the fabric options!

• Red Wine Bamboo Jersey - You may have noticed that we love bamboo knits. They're soft and breathable and they wear wonderfully. Those features made it a no-brainer to use them for the Sallie Jumpsuit, which requires a knit with drape and softness. And the red color, somewhere between raspberry and merlot, is great for all sorts of skin tones and colorings. We think if you're going to go bold with a jumpsuit, best to pair it with a bold color!
• Triangle Print Grey/Black Bamboo Jersey - Pattern can be a tricky thing when it comes to jumpsuits because you don't want to overdue it. But this triangle print, with a gray background and black lines forming the pattern, is just the right amount of visual interest without feeling like too much. And with the same bamboo jersey substrate as the red, it's got great drape and a silky soft hand
• Jet Black Velour - Meet the successor the little black dress in your wardrobe. A black jumpsuit can be worn for almost any occasion. And to really ramp up the look, we've chosen a black velour that has depth and an amazingly soft hand. And don't worry, we're giving you extra yardage to account for nap.

*** Note: this pattern is PDF only. The deal we made with Closet Case is that we will send you the PDF copy of the pattern directly to your email. So that you can print your pattern, you will also receive a gift code for free printing with PDF Plotting ***

Sew Curvy Box: Anitra Jumpsuit from Style Sew Me

Say hello to one of our new pattern companies! As we add PDF patterns to our boxes, it comes with the added benefit that we can offer more voices to our offerings. Eryn, the company's founder, started her company as "a reflection of [her] vision of a versatile, comfortable, and stylish wardrobe... where [she] aim[s] to provide patterns that are straight forward, versatile, and flattering for all body types." With that amazing mission, it was hard NOT to use her patterns.

The Anitra Jumpsuit is all about style and comfort. This loose-fitting jumpsuit features a wide neckline (but not to wide to expose bra straps) using your favorite light to medium weight knit. A pull-up style, it features an elastic waist, gathered pant, and side pockets. The pant design is a fresh combination of wrap and harem-style for ultimate comfort and style.

Now, the fabric options!

• Royal Blue Modal Cotton Jersey - We really do love royal blue because we're pretty sure it looks good on anybody. Honestly, have you met anyone who didn't look great in it?? This royal blue comes in the form of a modal cotton jersey, the modal for softness, the cotton for durability. Lightweight, with great drape, it will work well with the gathers without too much bulk. And with the color, it will look incredible!
• Expressionist Watercolor Print/Black ITY Color-Block - We love the idea of color-blocking with jumpsuits so that it's one piece of clothing that looks like separates. For this option, we've chosen two ITY knits, both with soft drape and fine hand. A yellow, blue and tangerine watercolor print on top, a simple black on the bottom, the two fabrics together will trick everyone into thinking you've bought two different pieces of clothing. Secret is, it's just one, and you made it!
• Black Rayon Jersey - The LBD of jumpsuits, this fabric option will make you feel confident, sexy, and all-around amazing. Perfect for layer a jacket or blazer over it for work, or keeping it simple with a pair of sneakers for errands, you really won't want to wear anything else again. Trust us!

Sew Indulgent Box: Sirocco Jumpsuit from Deer and Doe Patterns

The jumpsuit that started this month's theme, Sirocco is the first jumpsuit I made and loved. A mock-wrap knit jumpsuit, Deer and Doe balanced out the relaxed feel of the knit fabric with many office-ready details: legs are tapered, bodice and pants are structured by deep pleats, set-in sleeves create strong shoulders, and a wide band frames the neckline. Slash pockets, reinforced by clear elastic, bring sophistication and practicality to Sirocco. The proportions create a particularly flattering garment: the pleats in the pants mask the stomach, the high waistband marks the waist, and the strong shoulders balance the silhouette. This is the perfect garment to slip on when you don’t know what to wear to instantly feel cool and chic!

So, take a look at the fabric options!

• Aqua Modal Jersey - Modal jersey is perfect for this pattern. It's medium weight, with enough heft to work well with the pants, it has amazing drape to accentuate the pleats and mock-wrap front. And the color! A bright aqua, it's vibrant and cool and a great transitional color from summer to fall. We love everything about fabric and we can't wait to see your finished makes.
• Radiowave Textured Jersey/Black Bamboo Jersey - Another colorblock option, we've chosen a textured jersey that features a soundwave pattern on top of alternating stripes. This double knit is perfect for the bodice, and the simple black bamboo offsets it on the bottom. The combination of textures and pattern makes us swoon and we hope it will do the same to you!
• Charcoal Bamboo Merino French Terry -  The addition of wool elevates this jumpsuit to be your go-to option for dressing up all winter. A dark charcoal gray, this french terry is incredibly soft, surprisingly light, and wonderfully warm. If you're looking to make a knit jumpsuit that looks like a wool suit, this is your pick. Hands down.

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That's it for this month. We hope you love the jumpsuits as much as we do! But if not, we are offering our ICYMI Classic boxes with the robes patterns from last February. In a week, we are going to NYC to pick out fabrics for the next few months of boxes and we can't wait for all the amazing textiles we can offer to you in the future. 

Until next time...

Happy sewing!

xoxo,

Mary