Almost as soon as I tried on my springtime culottes, the bolt of inspiration hit me that I needed a bodysuit and that I already had the perfect fabric. When you want a really smooth look with a high fitted waistband, the bodysuit is a must. It will always stay tucked in and never bunch up or create wrinkles on your derriere.
Two weekends ago I was again at the Michael Levine Loft store looking for bottom weight wovens when I stumbled upon a giant roll of this 4-way stretch striped fabric. I hemmed and hawed for a few minutes and then decided it would make the perfect summer dress and I had to bring some home with me. I cut off about 4 yards, paid for the tonnage, toted it home and like a good seamstress promptly washed it. So, the next weekend when I realized I needed a bodysuit right away, I already had the perfect fabric ready to cut.
The pattern is the Nettie Bodysuit by Closet Case Files. To create the cap sleeve, I just drew an extension on the front and back shoulders and tapered it along the arm opening. To finish the raw edge, I serged the armhole then folded it in and topstitched it in place.
I made a few other minor adjustments to the pattern. I lengthened the body by about 5/8 inch and omitted the crotch lining. I couldn't really figure out the instructions for the lining last time so in the interest of time, I just serged the edges of the crotch and then folded them in and stitched down using a zig zag stitch.
The last bodysuit I made was a low back with three-quarter sleeves and from a kind of shiny stretch fabric. Sadly, I have not worn it yet! Anyway, I didn't want this one to be sleeveless like a tank top nor did I want actual sleeves. Cap sleeves was the obvious solution. They are so perfect and balletic. And it was so, so easy and quick to stitch them up.
I'm so in love with this new outfit. I can't wait to take it out on the town this spring and summer. I'm also thinking about more bodysuits! They are really fun to wear and super easy to make. Have you tried making one yet?
