Review: McCall's 7167 | The Criss Cross Back Culotte Jumpsuit!
12:00 AM
For those of you non-believers who doubted the staying power of the jumpsuit YEARS ago? Well, clutch your pearls. The jumpsuit isn't going anywhere, anytime soon. Be mad! LOL And to really wash your face with it, different iterations just keep on coming forth. Like the culotte jumpsuit. This is my second variation on this trend. As much as I loved the first version, and even though I made it sleeveless, the fully-lined garment in the fabric that I chose is way too hot for this time of year. So, she's packed away until fall.
Whereas, some versions of the the jumpsuit have slim tapered legs, by definition the culotte jumpsuit is wide leg. My personal rule of thumb is if I have volume on the bottom, the top should be fitted. And as far as the hemline on culottes go -- think of it as a midi skirt. If you can wear a midi skirt, you can wear culottes and that's where your hem should fall.
I picked McCall's 7167, because I loved the details. The criss cross open-back is perfect for summertime. I love halters and this fits right into my wardrobe perfectly. This pattern comes in cup sizes. I cut the size 12, with a C cup and graded out to the 14 at the waist. I always make a one inch bodice alteration. I don't know if it's because this pattern came already adjusted for cup sizes, but I had to go back and remove that one inch because I had fabric pooling around the waist.
This waistband piece sits at the natural waist. So if these were pants, they'd be high-waist pants. Keep that in mind. And being that this is a jumpsuit, I added an inch to the rise length. The main thing you MUST avoid with a jumpsuit is a wedgie. And as a tall girl, it's a rare find to discover a RTW jumpsuit that doesn't give me one. And the last alteration was an additional two inches to the length.
After creating my daughter's bodice for her graduation outfit, I should've known better. But I didn't. My fabric is green Baby Silk Ultra Polyester from Hancock. I love the idea of a 4-ply silk crepe jumpsuit, but I enjoy even more the ability to just toss it into the washer. And I love the way this fabric feels. But back to the bodice... I decided to self-line the bodice so I wouldn't have to bother with trying to find a coordinating lining fabric. It just made sense. BUT, I feel that it should've been completely interfaced. If not the front, then definitely the criss cross straps. If I make this again, I'm going to do that. I feel they would lie better and feel sturdier. And even though crepe de chine is a recommended fabric, for a bodice like that and one that if you're like me a bra might NOT be an option, interfacing would be beneficial. And about that bra... I have a serious underpinning collection... like I have some real trick bras in my collection and nothing was working with this jumpsuit. So if that's going to be an issue for you, then I just using the full coverage bra-friendly back.
Overall, even after working through the fitting issues I had -- not saying that everyone will have these -- I love this jumpsuit. Especially the side zipper. I'm still trying to decide if I want my zipper on the right side or the left. This one is on the left and I'm right-handed. It feels a little awkward zipping it. So next time, I may move it.
.JPG)
60 comments
You've made this using a beautiful color and you've achieved a great fit. Love this!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn!
DeleteBeautiful! I love the cris cross open back and the colour!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nathalie!
DeleteLove this version, probably more than the White one you did last. The colour and fit look fab.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sewmanju!
DeleteLovely jumpsuit and you look great wearing it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Levone!
DeleteBeautiful colour--and great outfit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Graca!
DeleteLove it and wow, what a great necklace with it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirley Ann!
DeleteFabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Regina!
DeleteVery cute, and what a pretty green
ReplyDeleteThanks Melanie!
DeleteOnce again, you hit it out of the park! Right color, right fabric, right length......gorgeous. Nice review, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Belle!
Delete"and to really wash your face in it..."
ReplyDeletechoked on my coffee.
that color! this is beautiful. do you mean next time you'd interface the entire front bodice??
Depending on the fabric, I think I will. Thanks Oona!
DeleteBeautiful. The color is enchanting.
ReplyDeleteI too, found that using those multi-bust patterns, you need to cut a size smaller. They are so much easier and great for saving time.
Living is learning! Thanks Andrea!
DeleteYOU BETTA STYLE! This outfit is everything! all of the colors, the hair, the accessories. all of it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tasha!
DeleteWay to go Erica! Green is a nice color, the style with the criss cross looks great on you. You have beautifully toned arms! Looking good! I am tall too (6 ft). I can't wear RTW jumpsuits either because of the wedgies. Making my own is a definite.
ReplyDeleteThanks bpatricia!
DeleteErica! This is amazing! Love, love, love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Paulinakoss!
DeleteFABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam!
DeleteGirl, that jumper wedgie is the tall girl's plight! I hear you! I looooove this version of it and that green is absolutely beautiful with your skin tone! Your adjustment to the waist makes me feel like I"m not crazy. I recently sewed a pattern and chose the proper size and cup and still had to grade significantly. I thought, what's the point of the cups if it distorts the waist?!
ReplyDeletewww.StyleSewMe.com
Nope Eryn, not just you! Thanks!
DeleteThe whole looks is the business! Amazing fabric choice. That picture they put on that pattern needs to be replaced with yours IMMEDIATELY.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan!
DeleteThanks Dorothy!
ReplyDeleteExcellent.work
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheseams!
DeleteGreat job! Erica it's a winner and I can't wait to attempt my project this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Renata!
DeleteI love this on you, gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori!
DeleteShazam, Erica, this totally rocks the sewing boat! I'm not particularly tall, but I am long-waisted so I always have to be mindful of potential wedgies. Btw, this McCall pattern didn't sing my song when I saw on it the pattern website, but your iteration has me rethinking it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary Beth!
DeleteIt looks amazing. Now what has really got me interested is the fabric. I can believe it's polyester, just like you I love the idea of silk that can be washed so easily. Hmmm in your picture it looks amazing. In real life does that fabric look as great? What would be your objective review? I'm planning on making a couple dresses one for work and one for dates and silk crepe was going to be the choice. What would you advice, benefits? cons? since you've used it already? THanks in advance for your response
ReplyDeleteMy review was as objective as it gets. The liking/loving of fabric is subjective. I suggest you swatch. Thanks!
DeleteI love this! Colour is fab. This pattern is great, first I've seen it made up. Excited to get my hands on it.
ReplyDeleteThank you elaineoc!
DeleteThis is a fabulous jumpsuit. The color is beautiful as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheree!
DeleteThanks Sing!
ReplyDeleteThis jumpsuit fits you beautifully. Love the color. You look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tomasa!
DeleteThis is absolutely stunning, Erica! I will definitely add this pattern to my wishlist! Thanks for the review and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tany!
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly!
Deleteyour culottes are so couture looking! I'm wanting some, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Justine!
DeleteHi Erica! Great colour and fit! I’ve been looking for this pattern everywhere online and in stores but it appears to be sold out and no longer available! You don’t happen to have a PDF of it or be willing to sell it to me would you? I can’t find anything like it :( thanks, Sam
ReplyDeleteHi Erica, my mother is attempting to make this for me however we are struggling with the criss cross bodice. Please would you explain how you achieved this
ReplyDelete