I’ve given Very Easy Vogue another try with my first jumpsuit and I’m happy to report that things went quite smoothly.

This is the pattern I was most looking forward to making this summer, and now that fall is here I had to churn this out as my final summer make.

The fabric I used is some sort of poly blend that I picked up at Hancock Fabrics in the fashion value section. I really like the print of this fabric but I ended up with a look that was a bit more retro-y than I had anticipated. Rather than fight it, I decided to embrace it and make it feel younger with a bright belt and matching earrings. What do you think? Does it feel young and summery to you, or does it remind you of your grandmother’s curtains? I won’t be offended because I know it’s a thin line I’m balancing here.

Although this isn’t my favorite thing I’ve ever made, I’m still fairly pleased with how it turned out and I did learn some new techniques through this project. I would agree that it was “very easy” in terms of straightforward construction, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t tedious and time consuming. Either that, or I’m becoming more of a perfectionist as my sewing skills improve. To think that only a year ago I was still wary of such things as pockets and linings. Anyway, through this project I tackled two other recurring fears: set-in sleeves and zippers. Yes, I know how to do these things but they usually come hand in hand with cursing and hair pulling. Let me share a couple of videos with you, though, that cleared a lot up for me.

First of all, let’s talk set-in sleeves. Do you hate sleeve insertion as much as I do? What’s your sewing Achilles heel? For me, it’s sleeves. They’re such a pain in the ass! I almost always have to pull out the stitches at least twice before I can finally get it right. Not anymore, though. I highly recommend everyone watch this video from Angela Kane if you struggle with sleeves:

I had no idea I was doing a number of things wrong. For example, don’t gather the sleeves before you set them in. Secondly, how you pin the sleeves makes a world of difference. When you sew, the sleeve needs to be against the machine. Sewing it this way prevents tucks and pleats. Anyway, just watch the video. It changed my life.

Second, let’s talk zipper insertion. I don’t really struggle with zippers, I just don’t always get as nice of a finish as I’d like. Also, the way the instructions tell you to insert the zipper means you have to slip stitch the lining to the zipper and bodice by hand. Ain’t nobody got time for all that. I wanted to learn how to insert the zipper and attach the lining all at the same time. This brings me to Craftsy’s set of free online videos that is a part of their class called Mastering Zipper Techniques taught by Sunni of A Fashionable Stitch. She taught me how to insert a centered back zipper and attach it to the lining all at the same time for a beautiful professional looking finish on both the inside and outside.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a nicer zipper finish and this method saved me a lot of time since I didn’t do any hand sewing.

The only real issue I ran into had to do with attaching the bodice to the pants. The pattern has three pleats on each side of the front and back pant legs. I basted the pleats but when it came time to attach the bodice my pants were too small circumference wise. I lost 2″ on each side. No good.

Not sure why this happened. It was an easy fix, though. I just unstitched the seam a few inches and then pulled out a pleat on each of the back pant legs. So the back of my jumpsuit only has two pleats on each side now. Whatever.

I cut the size 12 out and the only other adjustment I made after stitching a muslin was to adjust the seam allowance on the crotch or in-seam. It wasn’t roomy enough for me so I only used a 3/4″ seam allowance and then a 1/2″ seam allowance when attaching the bodice to the pants. Not sure if that’s really how you’re supposed to make that adjustment, but it’s what I did and it worked.

A note about sizing: According to the size chart on the envelope, I should have cut a size 14 based on my waist and bust measurements. However, you really need to look at the finished measurements that are marked on the pattern pieces themselves. The finished waist measurement on the 12 is 28″, which is me. My finished garment is well fitted and it would have been too baggy had I cut the 14.

In other news, I now have a kitten named Lou Lou! She’s a stray that I adopted when my boyfriend and I were in Cincinnati a couple of weekends ago. I love her! She spends a lot of time with me in the sewing room since she knows that’s the best room in the house, obviously.

Also, when I was in Cincinnati I bought a new pair of tailoring shears from a local boutique. I think they’re more of novelty shears, though, because they totally suck.

Steer clear of these bastards.

Anyway, what about all ya’ll? Any experience with jumpsuits or this pattern? Haven’t seen a ton around the blogosphere but I admire this look from Needles and Fashion

And this version from Mimi G