The Amy Jumpsuit from Closet Case Patterns.

The Pattern

Currently only available as a PDF, there was a lot of excited chatter on social media when it was released. I purchased it as soon as I saw it, which is increasingly rare for me these days. I had been looking for a similar style jumpsuit and since I hadn’t tried a pattern from Closet Case Patterns, I thought… why not?

Described as:

The Amy Jumpsuit is comfort and breezy elegance all in one tidy, minimalist package. With a figure-skimming silhouette and ultra wide, cropped legs, it’s got the soul of a floaty slip dress in the body of a jumpsuit you’ll never want to take off.

Amy features a flattering V-neckline in front and back, with wide shoulder straps designed to conceal bra straps; an invisible side zipper makes it easy to get on and off. Add function with optional inseam pockets, or cinch the waist with a classic tie belt for a more fitted shape.

Yes… I’ve sewn it in exactly the same fabric as my Myosotis Dress – I bought another 3 metres to stash. However it seemed like a good idea to make the Amy in the same fabric so it never hit the stash pile.

Sizing

I decided to sew size 2 based on the advice from Closet Case Patterns of “We also suggest choosing a size based on your bust measurement; there is a lot of ease built into the waist and hip so you probably don’t have to worry about grading between sizes unless you span more than 3 or more sizes between bust and hip.” I’m close to 3 sizes and I didn’t grade between sizes while tracing.. however I did add 1/4in to the outer leg before I cut into my fabric. Call it ‘hip panic’ if you like.

I’ve left off the pockets. I don’t often put pockets into fabrics with a soft drape as I’m unlikely to use them as they pull a garment out of line if you put anything in them. I also decided to put in a slightly longer zip as I was concerned about wriggling these up and over my hips. The pattern launch blog post advised: The pattern has optional pockets and a side seam zipper to make it simple to get on and off; we suggest in the instructions doing a quick baste fit if you’re a straight size or narrow hipped because you might find the zipper unnecessary.

I’m glad I did this as I think it would have been a wiggle without the slightly longer zipper and extra width at the hip.

Fitting

I’m quite long through my torso. I added 1/2inch length to the body. I wish I had added more as it is just long enough (I don’t like living in wedgie world when I bend over so prefer a low-slung crotch for these types of garments). I sewed 1/4inch seams at the straps to add a tiny bit more length.

Despite reading the pattern to verify it has 5/8 inch seam allowances, I somehow managed to sew it together with 1/2 inch seam allowances. I am glad I did as this gave me a tiny bit more length.

I haven’t shortened the legs. The pattern is drafted for 5 foot 6 and I am 5 foot 4. I tend to prefer longer garments so I opted for the unaltered longer length leg.

Thoughts

The pattern has great instructions for attaching the straps and sewing in the invisible zipper and attaching the lining to it. It’s a very neat and clean finish.

Don’t be like me. Sew a muslin/toile if you are long in the torso or wider through the hips, my approach was not smart… just faster and I managed to adjust along the way.

At first I didn’t like this at all, however I’ve worn it all day and it is very comfortable and practical. My daughters like it on me. I don’t think it’s very flattering on me. However that’s never stopped me wearing something on a casual basis! If it’s comfortable and cool, it’s highly likely to become a summer favourite. I think it will be worn unbelted on very hot summer days.

It’s an easy sew.

The front/back neckline is flattering and the wide straps easily conceal bra straps.

The PDF files come with copy shop files, including the essential (for me) A0 option. I would not have purchased it otherwise.

When the waves wash in, I need two hands to lift my hem out of the way… unlike a dress when I only need one hand to save my outfit from a saltwater drenching. Hey, that’s a lifestyle issue for me!

Belt loops, I’d like belt loops. In these photos the belt has slipped to different positions and changes the look of the jumpsuit, making it more or less flattering. I’d just prefer the belt to stay on one place. I might add some thread loops retrospectively… but then again… I probably won’t.

Pattern: Amy Jumpsuit, Closet Case Patterns
Fabric: Jungle Trail Grey, Pitt Trading, 100% viscose.

This post first appeared on www.sewbusylizzy.com

Yesterday I participated in a local running event called Beach to Brother. I ran from the river mouth you can see in the distance to the top of this mountain called North Brother… I only ran the 10km event (you can ran a marathon or half marathon along the beaches before you tackle the mountain)… but the last 2.5kms felt like a marathon to me… so.many.stairs with 500m of elevation – might not sound like much but it was brutal! I may have complained a lot on the way up to the finish line.