Review: McCall's 7366 | Plunging-Neckline Jumpsuit!
12:00 AM
So I made this McCall's 7366 jumpsuit. I thought this jumpsuit was hot, sexy and super fashion-forward when I first saw it and I knew I was going to make it. I think a lot of McCall's fans -- well, the ones that don't have an aversion to having to pee in a public restroom while wearing a jumpsuit -- wanted to love this and probably did in theory. But this jumpsuit pattern has one very scary plunging neckline.
The neckline on the pattern is deep! And if you're tall like me and have to add length at the waist? It's deep-er! I'm no prude. Nor am I on #TeamModesty. Yes, someone created a hashtag to say they dress "normal". But anyway...
It was time to think about how I was going to handle the sternum-baring plunging neckline. And this is where a lot of sewers look at this pattern and put it back. Just disregarding all of the fabulous potential! No matter the educational level of a new-ish sewer, they all seem to overthink how to modify a pattern to suit them. Sewing is treated with a difficulty higher than Engineering. And it shouldn't be. Sewing is basically operating the machine, which requires: hand, eye and foot control -- like a car. And common knowledge because we've all seen and worn clothes before. So you have a basic understanding of what fabric your clothes are made of and what may potentially work. And if you're reading this, you have the internet. I mentioned in a previous post that you must adapt a pattern to suit the proportions of your own body, taste, style and comfort level. And also how pattern pieces and the instructions that accompany them are just "suggestions". They are YOURS, you bought it! You are free to move them about, eliminate, swap around, cut off, add on and make any changes you want to make. The Sewing Gestapo is not going to come and haul you off if you don't sew precisely based on the pattern. So stop overthinking!!!
So this is what I did so I wouldn't have a belly button plunging neckline. I cut the size 12 and added an inch to the length because the bodice on patterns are never long enough for me. In the above photo, I show you all of the places I added interfacing to in order to stabilize. For the center front, the instructions suggest where to sew to in order to have that plunging neckline. If you want it higher, then sew higher. I sewed mine up 7" from the bottom. I wanted cleavage, but I wanted to feel like I was secure because this is NOT a bra-friendly jumpsuit. The thing that you may not know is that when you see celebrities wearing belly button-plunging garments is that they're taped into those things. Double-sided tape is holding those bodices in place. I don't want to do all of that rigging for my regular life, so my bodice would need to stay in place on its own.
My fabric is a scuba jersey knit that I've had for a while. It's very lightweight, like a ponte. The bodice is lined, so I used the same fabric to self-line mine. Here is the bodice after the collar was added.
The back of the jumpsuit is open but overlaps across the top and is closed at the collar with hooks and eyes.
The pants are tapered with front pockets, back darts and a back zipper. I added 5 inches to the length of my pants. They were super short for me. My alteration gave me a 33" inseam. The pattern suggested a center lapped zipper. That's always a no-go for me. I used an invisible zipper and attached the bodice as instructed.
I wasn't a fan of the cumberbund style belt. It was too lady-tux formalwear for me. My jumpsuit is meant to be casual wear and I love having the option of any belt I want.
This pattern is awesome in my opinion and I plan on revisiting it and also making the View D.
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50 comments
It's a whirlwind of conflicting opinion. All you want is to do it Your way. With a cup of tea. No mater what that way is; after all it is just a cool jumpsuit. And YOU DID IT AND IT IS WONDERFUL. I bet you have solved the pee problem too.
ReplyDeleteJust pee and fasten it back! Simple! Thanks patsijean!
DeleteErica, let me go and see if I can find my edges, because you have just snatched all of my edges, lol! This is bad, Erica! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Candice!
DeleteLooks great and I love it! I need to get me some jumpsuit action. Bought an off the rack on but really, it was too short in bodice/crotch - I'm 6ft tall - so I need to make my own.
ReplyDeleteBefore sewing, jumpsuits weren't an option for that same reason. Thanks JD!
DeleteThis is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Almost a Hippy!
DeleteGorgeous as always, Ms Erica! I love your rendering. Thank you for taking the time to talk thru the process. I've learned so much over the years from reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks M Inez!
Delete*claps* I bought this pattern with the thinking that I would just sew the plunge higher lol. Did you wear a specialty bra for this? I was trying to imagine what it would take to draft some sort of shelf bra
ReplyDeleteI'm not wearing one. My bodice is self-lined and that fabric is pretty substantial. A shelf bra (you could even add cups/padding) would work if you need support. Thanks Tasha!
DeleteOh!! and these pictures are AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Let's clap for Mr. Bunker!
Delete*standing ovation*
DeleteThanks! LOL
DeleteI agree with you! Don't be afraid to make a pattern and the style your own...Like you I am tall, 6 ft, and can now wear jumpsuits because I can sew and tailor to my body. I love the style, color and your fabric choice. You look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteRight! Thanks BPatricia!
DeleteWhen you have a gift or talent you are able to see things in a manner that appears simple to you. In recognizing this, when passing on this knowledge you are correct that others may be overthinking...but they don't have the gift and will always need to think more. You make the complicated simple and lovely and I do appreciate it. This jumpsuit is lovely on you.
ReplyDeleteI think people look at the picture of the model wearing it and decide that it's too hard to bother with before even looking at the pattern pieces. We're not talking a full bust adjustment or even matching stripes. Those things are complicated. It's as simple as to keep your foot on the pedal and to keep sewing a farther distance.
DeleteThanks Nylse!
Erica - I know what Nylse means. You and I look at a pattern and just know what to do to fix it and make it our own. Sometimes we even see it differently than its pictured. There are others who literally can't see beyond the picture or drawing on the envelope. They don't have that gift of "sight" that we do. And I'm surprised by it each time I've experienced it when shopping with someone else.
DeleteNow the jumpsuit is AMAZING! But I have to tell you when I realized that you are bra less all I could think is that you are buck naked on the toilet! Ummmm yeah, don't want to scare anyone in the ladies room which is why I've let this trend pass by this time! LOL! But you are rockin' this look for sure!
Chile, I guess...
DeleteY'all sure do worry about the bathroom thing. It's not that serious. No different than being in a gym lockerroom shower.
Thanks Carolyn!
Erica - that's cause we aren't rocking that awesome body of yours! *smile* and I can't remember the last time I was in a gym locker room! ROTFLOL! You have several gifts that some of us don't possess and it's kinda cool that you think we have them too...but gurl sewing is YOUR super power!
DeleteThanks Carolyn!
DeleteLove love love! The color and of course your styling changes are perfection. Perfect in scuba for Fall.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fauxgetaboutit!
DeleteI know you've gotten into fitness the last couple of years, and I think you should hear that your arms look absolutely marvelous! This jumpsuit really shows them off to full advantage. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteOh, my gosh, that is fabulous and you look fabulous. Your creations are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lori!
Delete"Sewing is treated with a difficulty higher than Engineering"...
ReplyDeleteYes it is, I plead guilty! LOL
Love the jumpsuit. That's HOT!
See! You're an engineer and you always over think it! You know you can do this! Thanks Pam!
ReplyDeleteThis is extremely glamorous! Great job. And the tips and reminders are excellent too, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Genevieve!
DeleteOh wow this is one sassy jumpsuit! You look gorgeous. Love it with the animal print belt and shoes.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tomasa!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really beautiful jumpsuit Erica, well done! Thanks so much for reviewing this pattern I actually like the little romper too!
ReplyDeleteI had intended to make the romper all summer, but I never got around to it. Thanks Myra!
DeleteIt's all about fit and finish which is why I follow your blog. What an on-trend and beautifully sewn piece.
ReplyDeleteThank you Farirai!
DeleteI love this! And your blogs! I bought this pattern thinking the same thing with regards to sewing the plunging neckline higher. Thanks for that tip.
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog about a year now. I love your common sense approach to sewing. I'm self taught going on 3 years now. Thank you for sharing your techniques. Everything you make is so beautiful.
Thanks so much MS and good luck with your sewing!
DeleteYou've done it again! This is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThank you Natisha!
DeleteExcellent alterations! Thank you for making the point that it's our outfit to do as we want. The pattern is a guide/suggestion it's expected to make it our own.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheseams!
DeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gail!
DeleteI love it, specially the back! The fabric looks very soft and stunning.
ReplyDeleteIt's like secret pajama dressing! Thanks Amaia!
Delete