Let me start by saying that this is my first PDF pattern. The idea of piecing together sheets of paper like a puzzle and THEN cutting out the pattern pieces didn't appeal to me in the least. No matter how fabulous the garment it would produce. Until I saw the Closet Case Patterns - Nettie Bodysuit.
A bodysuit? With a low scoop back? Um, yeah! That is so me! Maybe it spoke to my inner Beyonce...
...because it definitely caused me to breakout in a rendition of "Single Ladies"!
In my stash was already a nylon power knit with 4-way stretch. I dropped down 2 sizes than what I would normally cut. What makes this pattern so easy is that basically you can use only your fashion fabric with minimal notions.
Everything I used is from my my notions drawers. I stabilized the shoulders with clear elastic. I omitted the snapped crotch and just sewed that part up. Since I made the low back version, I don't have a problem with peeling down to use the restroom. And I created a shelf bra.
The pattern provide excellent instructions on constructing a shelf bra with a cutting line already placed on the pattern piece. In case you ever want to add one to a bodysuit or a top, here's how:
- At around 7.75 inches from the top of the armscye in your bodice front pattern piece, fold your pattern.
- Cut out your shelf bra in either your fashion fabric, a nylon tricot (that you would use to line a knit garment) or mesh.
- Cut a piece of 1/2" elastic 85% of the width of the bottom of the fabric that you've cut out for the shelf bra.
- Fold your shelf bra in half lengthwise and mark the half point. Fold that in half to mark for the quarter. Do the same with your elastic.
- Match the markings.
- Stretch the elastic and sew with a wide zig zag stitch.
I love this bodysuit pattern. It has made me a PDF pattern convert. I'm pretty open to trying more now. I attended a fashion show at Saks Fifth Avenue I wore my bodysuit with a my black and white wool pinstriped pencil skirt - (OOP) Vogue 1092 by Tracy Reese. This is an old one. But with my original fabric choice, it's a classic -- hence the reason I was able to pull this out of the closet. And since this fabric has absolutely no stretch, the fit is now perfect! And here's another skirt I like that would work with this look. And my tweed and leather bomber jacket -- Burda 7210, that I made last year.
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