Sewing for the tropics!

Hi there! So it’s been a quiet month on the blog but I’ve actually done quite a bit of sewing. A lot of it has been social sewing, which I intend to blog about separately, but I wanted to blog this particular pattern before the Sew Together For Summer deadline passed. Tomorrow (!)

Last weekend I spent 2 days at the Stitch Room Sewcial and it was amazing! Despite vast amounts of chatting, workshops, talks and general distractions, I did manage to get some sewing done and very nearly completed this garment for my holidays.

When Closet Case Patterns launched this pattern last year, I hated it. Like, really actively disliked it. But, as sometimes happens, the pattern has grown on me and it seems to tick a lot of boxes for my upcoming Florida holiday (yes I am going to mention that A LOT. Sorry not sorry)

The Amy jumpsuit is a very wide legged, strappy, semi fitted jumpsuit designed to be made up in super floaty fabrics. Whilst in London a couple of weeks ago, I found the perfect tropical print rayon (?) at Sew Over It. The pattern calls for 3.5m of fabric, which makes it a not particularly cheap option, but I really loved it and knew what I wanted to make with it, so I went for it. But I did only buy 3m because I’m stubborn!

I printed off the pdf and tiled it (always a joy) and, after examining the size chart, decided to risk cutting a straight size 10. I should have gone bigger in the hips but I decided the pattern had so much ease that I’d be wasting my time.

There’s no waist seam on these beauties which means the pattern pieces are MASSIVE! But it also means there are only 7 in total; straps, facings, front and back and pockets plus optional belt.

I was a little stingy in my fabric, buying 0.5m less than instructed. I got away with it, but there’s no pattern matching (why would you with this print?) and I had to piece the belt AND cut at 90 degrees to the suggested grainline. It’s a risk worth taking to avoid buying more expensive fabric.

The pattern came together well but I had it mentally pegged as a quick sew and it wasn’t. I think that was partly because I chose shifty fabric and inserting an invisible zip but mostly because I was using an unfamiliar machine and overlocker, plus queuing for the iron on several occasions, which meant that I stopped and chatted! But the benefit of social sewing is instant feedback when you try things one, which is a joy. And I think the super positive reactions I got have definitely influenced my love for this make.

Because I properly love this! It’s definitely holiday wear in my mind, but it’s absolutely perfect for Florida in August. There are several days when we’ll be heading out late afternoon, doing a few Fast Passes and then going straight on for dinner and this is going to be high on my hit list of what to wear. It’s SOOOO cool and comfy it’s ridiculous!

So this is definitely a win in my book; I would make more if I lived somewhere warmer but for now, this is ready for my hols and I can’t wait to wear it!

Becca x

Details:

Pattern: Amy jumpsuit by Closet Case Patterns

My measurements: bust 36″: waist 32″: hip 42″

Size cut: 10

Fabric: 3m rayon from Sew Over It

Adjustments made: none

Future adjustments: possibly shorten straps slightly and lengthen bodice but nothing desperate

Make again: Yep!