Happy Wednesday people! The weekend is so close that I can taste it. Speaking of the weekend, last weekend I completely focused on creating the perfect body suit. I love bodysuit tops and I must admit body suits fall under my wardrobe essential list. I currently own five store bought body suits and honestly none of them are exactly what I had hoped for them to be. Four are sleeveless and racer back and the other is long sleeve. Four are bikini (with snap crotch) and one is a thong (no snap crotch), which I purchased here.

Here's the thing, none of them were exactly what I wanted for several reasons. First, I am at work 5 days out of week and I wear professional attire everyday I am at work. I usually only wear racerback tops during a workout or on the weekend. But I love pairing my bodysuit with a pair of slacks (usually fitted with a tampered leg). The bikini version, however, shows a panty line, which only leaves the thong version as an option if I wear slacks. My current thong version meant having to get undressed in a courtroom restroom any time I needed to relieve myself. So needless to say that particular body suit was rarely worn during the work week. The problem with the snap crotch versions I own is literally the snap crotch. The snap crotch material is rough and it irritates my inner thigh. So this left me with only one option, sew my own body suit.

That decision led me to my next discovery, there are very few body suit patterns out there. Luckily, I did find three great ones during my search Simplicity 8435, Simplicity 8513, and Closet Case Patterns Nettie Body Suit. I loved the look of Closet Case Patterns bodysuit but didn't like that it didn't offer a thong version. For Simplicity 8513, view D was the only view that appealed to me. I loved that Simplicity 8435 had a thong and bikini snap crotch but knew I would not wear the Henley style to work. I settled on Simplicity 8435, knowing that I could take the pattern and make modifications to suit my wardrobe needs. I am glad I picked this pattern, the instructions are well written and Madalynne even has a few sew along tutorials on her blog. I decided to eliminate the placket and this gave me the exact look I was going for. Rather than using a regular needle I used my twin needle and serger to finish this body suit. Be sure to read the pattern review for more details about the pattern and my modifications. Until next time, happy sewing.

Pattern Description:

Knit bodysuit featuring Henley-style front and optional Bikini or thong bottom with snap closure.

Pattern Sizing:
XS-XL. I cut the small.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
No, because I decided to remove the placket.

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes, the instructions were simple. Additionally, Madalynne has a sew along for the placket and snap crotch closure on her blog that include even more details if you are confused by the pattern instructions.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

The pattern is great. I really like the henley style and will probably sew that version next month. But for now I am more focused on sewing bodysuits for my work wardrobe which means they will remain packetless. The only thing I did not like was that my shoulder seam puckered a little once I added the clear elastic. However, that issue very well could be due to my own error.

Fabric Used:

Rayon/Lyrca Jersey from Fabric Mart Fabrics

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
As I mentioned above I removed the placket. After I did a muslin, I decided to grade the pattern at the waist side seam to the x-small pattern line. Everything else was cut on the size small pattern line. I also decided to lower the neckline (pictured below). To attach the neckband, I sewed the short ends together with a 1/4 seam allowance and attached it exactly as the instructions directed.

I also used 1 inch twill tape because I could not find 3/4 inch twill tape at any of my local fabric stores.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes and Yes. I already have the fabric and plan on sewing a quarter length sleeve body suit.