In tribute to Shauni

Hi all!

So this post continues with my holiday makes but it’s one that is a country mile outside of my normal comfort zone and I love it!

You may have seen my post for the Sewcialists blog last month, telling you all about Tribute Month, which challenges you to make something inspired by (or blatantly copied from!) another online sewcialist, be that blog, Instagram or whatever.  In my post I mentioned the wonderful Shauni, whose style I envy from afar.

I think writing that post, together with a few awesome makes on Instagram by various others of late, finally pushed me to try making culottes! Shauni is, after all, the queen of culottes in my mind!

This is the Closet Case Files Sallie pattern, which includes a jersey maxi dress and jumpsuit.  I actually made the dress up first, but since I didn’t wear it first on holiday, you’re getting the culottes story first!

I don’t really have words for how far outside my usual comfort zone this is; it’s clingy jersey, there are culottes, it’s quite low cut…. yep, totally discounted this pattern for a long time. But then, having seen the maxi dress on quite a few others, the pattern started beckoning to me.  So I made it up in a cotton jersey and really liked it.

And then, amazingly, this tropical print viscose jersey from Minerva started subconsciously waving at me! Holiday clothes, it said. Cool and comfy, it said. Non creasing in the suitcase….. come to mama!

I mentioned my plans on Instagram and will be eternally grateful that Amanda Turner let me in on the amount of adjustment she’d made to this pattern. People, I know I’m well endowed in the bum area, but I added a full 2″ to the crotch area on these (using the lengthen/shorten line on the pattern): that is one hell of an adjustment!

I actually initially added in 3″ but then realised it was too much when trying on; I have amended my pattern piece but I’ve a feeling the adjustment will be specific to the weight and drape of the jersey.

I also graded between sizes both from bust to waist and waist to hip, simply by drawing a smooth line on the pattern between the two sizes at the relevant point.

Once they were ready for hemming, I had a crisis on how long to hem. I’d already cut the culottes length piece as I hadn’t enough fabric for full length but when I tried on, i felt like they weren’t culottes-y enough somehow! I polled opinion on Instagram and then slept on it, waking determined to make them shorter! So I lopped 4.5″ further off the leg length, leaving them kind of a midi length?

All adjustments aside, I absolutely LOVE this jumpsuit, by far my favourite holiday make so far! It’s comfy, it actually feels really stylish on, we avoid the dreaded hot weather thigh rub and it’s stretchy so there’s room for dinner!

Thanks for the inspiration, Shauni!

Where else do you think I should look for inspiration outside my usual comfort zone?

Becca x
Details:

Pattern: Sallie dress and jumpsuit by Closet Case Patterns

My measurements: bust 35″: waist / torso 30″: hip 40″

Size cut: 8-10 on top; 10-12 on pants

Fabric: 3m floral viscose jersey from Minerva Crafts (97% viscose, 3% spandex)

stretch interfacing from Sew Essential (used to stabilise the neckline)

Adjustments made: added 2″ to crotch depth at the lengthen / shorten line.  Hemmed the shorter trouser wth a 4.5″ hem

Future adjustments: possibly lengthen bodice slightly to increase blousy effect

Make again: Yep!