A few years ago, bodysuits and overalls firmly fell into the category of things that were popular (i.e. I wore) in the 90s and that I did not need to revisit. But now? These one-piece full body garments are wardrobe staples. Especially the bodysuit. I love the bodysuit as a layering piece to keep me warm or to create a super streamlined tucked-in silhouette. I’ve made the Nettie Bodysuit a bunch of times before and it’s definitely a TNT pattern for me. This version however is far from ordinary or basic.
This bodysuit is made out of a dusty rose stretch VELVET. I’ve had the idea of a velvet (or lace!!) bodysuit for ages. A few months ago, I was scanning the Blackbird Fabrics remnant sale and came across this luscious stretch velvet. (At this time, I do not see any stretch velvet available on their site.) It was a tiny remnant, measuring only 70cm, so I had to do some very careful pattern placement to get everything to fit. The extra challenge is that velvet fabric is directional (aka nap), so all the pattern pieces had to have their tops pointed in the same direction. Before I started cutting, I marked in chalk where I though I could place the pattern pieces. I cut everything in a single layer so that I could squeeze everything in.
I also had to piece the back crotch piece because there wasn’t enough length in the fabric. The one thing that I don’t love about the Nettie is that it’s a little challenging to do up the snaps at the crotch because the placement of the snaps is more towards the rear. I made the Ariane bodysuit by Seamwork last year and it has a separate crotch piece that places the snaps in a more forward position making it SUPER easy to do up. It would be an easy pattern adjustment to make to the Nettie.
My biggest revelation in making this bodysuit was that I could sew on the snaps using my sewing machine. I have been using my machine to sew on buttons for a few years but hadn’t ever tried it with snaps before. It’s the same principal as sewing on a button and it makes it MUCH faster.
I decided to not do any topstitching on this fabric so for the sleeves, I added little cuffs. The Seamwork Neenah dress does this and I thought it was fiddly to do this extra step when making that dress but it’s a really great alternative to top stitching. Isn’t it great when one pattern can inspire you to make another already great pattern even better?
I cut a low back and high neck because I was going for a sexy ballerina vibe. lol In retrospect, I think I’d like it better with a lower front as I think that’s more flattering on me. Do you remember that show from the 90s, What Not to Wear? They said that if you have a full bust, then a scoop or v-neck is more flattering than a crew neck. I definitely think that you should wear whatever you want and not worry about rights and wrongs and shoulds and should-nots. But, I do tend to prefer a more open neckline for myself.
This is a super fun bodysuit but I have not actually worn it yet. I finished it a good two months ago but it’s just been sitting around. Maybe it’s the neckline? Maybe I haven’t found the right occasion? Maybe I just feel too “extra” wearing it?
P.S. Here, I’m also wearing one of my patterns, the Nita Wrap Skirt which is perfect match for a bodysuit. You can find this wrap skirt pattern in my shop.
