Another day, another pattern hack: A Drapey Jumpsuit

If there is one thing I love, it’s an adult onesie aka jumpsuit.  I love the convenience of one piece dressing.  I don’t have to worry about what matches with what and whether or not the shirt goes over or under the waistband.  The drawback?  You need to plan the exit strategy very carefully, LOL.  In this case, it is an invisible zipper on the back center seam.

I love a good hack and this jumpsuit had multiple.  It’s two separate Simplicity patterns: S9451 for the bodice and S8056 for the pants. I used S8056 in the past for a pair of sequin pants so I already knew that I liked the shape of the legs.  I had never used pattern S9451, so that was a whole adventure on its own. The fabric is a ponte knit from Boho Fabrics. Though it is labeled as a ponte, the surface reads/feels more like a sweater knit. So this knit is both cozy and stable. I loved the menswear reference of the houndstooth combined with the pastel of the colorway. Overall, this fabric was just perfect for a winter outfit.

For the bodice, I wanted a wider neckline that was off the shoulder with more draping.  I started by pinning the front bodice piece to my dress form and drawing in the adjustments I wanted to make. 

I then traced this onto some translucent tracing paper and cut the neckline based on the adjustments.  I then slashed and spread the front to get more draping and pleats.  

Initial views of the bodice! One thing I am now realizing is I need to be bolder with the pattern changes.  It is way easier to take in the extra space if you’ve spread too much but nearly impossible to add more volume if your pattern did not account for it.  The next time I do this, I would definitely add more volume and draping to the top.  

I’ve done enough jumpsuits and two-piece dresses to know that I like a bodice to be about 17-18 inches in length so it hits in the most flattering way.  For the pants, I attached the front yoke and waistband to the front pants and it cut it out as one piece with an additional inch at the top.  I needed this extra inch to make sure I had enough seam allowance and length for the pants.  I then sewed the bodice to the pants and added and invisible zipper to the back.  

I had enough fabric left to make a belt as well.  I love the final look!!!!