Red Bodysuit + Black Denim: Simplicity 8513

Happy Wednesday everyone! This year, the fall season is a bit cooler than normal in Mississippi. Generally, we don't experience true fall temperatures until mid November. Even then, the temperatures scale back and forth between the high 4os and low 70s well into December.

Of course, this cooler weather has inspired me to sew a real fall wardrobe. Which leads to the subject at hand, this fantastic red mock neck body suit. First, let me just say that I am a big fan of bodysuits (see exhibit A and Exhibit B). A nice bodysuit can easily be dressed up or down, and, if sewn in the right material, it can be so comfortable to wear the entire day. Most importantly you don't have to deal with a shirt hem slipping out of your waistband.

Last week's blog post talked about creating an essential, yet expressive professional wardrobe. One shopping tip shared was focusing your initial purchases on basic pieces. Well, Simplicity 8513 is definitely the pattern to help any working woman get there. This pattern features five styles with sleeve length and sleeve style variations. I would like to point out, however, that only three of those views would be considered office appropriate in my field. Regardless, this is still a great pattern to have in your stash. I mean you have to dress down a couple of days out the week anyway (or not, I totally know someone who dresses business casual almost every day of the week) and those other two views are definitely "date night" or "girls night" appropriate.

This red version of view C is actually a wearable muslin. I have some unique fabric (i.e. I can’t find it anywhere) that I intend to use to make View B. I decided using this red jersey knit, which I purchased at JoAnn last fall would be a great way to test out any possible fit issues.

Now on to the pattern design and instructions.  This particular view requires that you install an invisible zipper.  I’ll admit that I was inclined to ignore that part of the instructions, but for the sake of doing a  true test run, I installed the zipper anyway.  Be sure to stabilize the area for the zipper with interfacing before attaching it.  It didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. I like that the back pattern piece is not cut on the fold. The back bodice piece is slightly curved for a better fit and it made it much easier to make a sway back adjustment. I used my serger to attach the elastic in the leg area; and I used my cover stitch to finish the leg edges, which gave it a really clean and professional finish. 

I wore the finished bodysuit as is for date night, but I look forward to putting a work-week spin on it.  I styled it with black 721 Levi jeans and my chunky heel combat boots, which were purchased at Target (similar style shoe here). If you are in the mood to add some stylish body suits to your wardrobe, take a look at Simplicity 8513, I promise it won’t disappoint.