9.23.2013

disco butt

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Things my husband said after seeing my newest, completed make:

"Ooooh baby, you've got disco butt..." (what does that mean..?)
"What I really like about this is that you can go right from the roller skating rink to a karate dojo without having to change your outfit!" (and I added: "And then right to BED!!!")
"This makes you look really skinny. Like Mia Farrow!" (I didn't even pay him...)

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This, my friends, is a jumpsuit. And while we're on a roll here with the list making, I've been keeping a mental list of all the things that jumpsuits are awesome for:
  • High kicks
  • Impromptue yoga
  • Looking dramatic in a breeze
  • Lounging (obviously...)
  • Striking poses
  • Calling people "Daaahling"
  • Riding bikes (but I roll up the legs, because those are some biiiig hems!!)
  • Looking like you got dressed on those days when you don't want to get dressed
  • Collecting cat hair (well... I can't speak for all jumpsuits on this one...)
And here's the list of things that jumpsuits are not awesome for:
  • Ohmygodwhatthef**k TOILETS!!!
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Here I was, thinking to myself:  "Why don't people wear jumpsuits all the time?? They are so comfy!!" And then I think I uttered an audible "oh shit" the first time I was confronted with a toilet while wearing my jumpsuit.

But how I manage to do my business in this jumpsuit is not the point of this post! I made a jumpsuit! This has been on my 'to make' list forever. I sort of "drafted" this pattern myself.  I say "drafted" because I'm not totally sure that my method of 'Just Drawing Shapes on Paper and Hoping For the Best' is really a method of pattern drafting.  If it is - than I am a master! I did test the bodice part out first in some leftover jersey I had laying around and deemed it 'good enough'.  The finished jumpsuit is made out of some black rayon modal jersey.  That stuff is just so slinky and soft! Perfect for this sort of swishy, drape-y, unstructured outfit. Also, completely forgiving of my haphazard drafting methods! 

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One of the tricky things about (cough cough... ahem) drafting your own patterns, is that they don't come with any instructions! I mean, no duh, obviously, but you really have to spend a bit of time thinking through how you're going to construct your garment - how edges are going to be finished, what areas need to be interfaced, etc.  I was having a bit of trouble trying to figure out how to finish my neckline edges.  My first thought was to bind them, but no matter how careful I am, anytime I bind edges in jersey it always looks like a huge, hot, mess. Then I thought about encasing elastic - similar to how Heather instructs you to do it with the Bombshell swimsuit - but I wasn't sure I wanted all that zig-zag topstitching to be visible.  Finally, late at night (when I should be sleeping, but instead I'm thinking about sewing... come on... you do it too) I had the aha! moment of using facings! It's also a sort of 'no shit' solution, but for some reason I always underestimate the power of facings.

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The other completely obvious, yet also revelatory discovery I made while making this jumpsuit is how effective a fusible knit interfacing can be on jersey (I know, I know... minds = blown I'm sure...).  The interfacing has just a teensy amount of stretch, so it works with the fabric, but it also stabilizes it, which is perfect for a 4-way stretch knit like modal.  I interfaced my facings, pocket edges and hems.  Interfacing the hem was totally revolutionary for me! No more crazy, ripple-y hems! I interfaced about an inch around the bottom, serged the raw edge, turned it up and did a double-needle topstitch.  Seriously the most gorgeous hem I've ever gotten with a knit. Of course this only works because I don't need the hems to stretch.

I've pretty much been wearing this jumpsuit non-stop, even despite the awkward bathroom moments. It's just that comfortable, and yet I also feel sort of chic in a  70's disco(butt) kind of way!

As a matter of fact, my jumpsuit was the first thing I packed when I jetted off to NYC two weekends ago! Yep... that happened!

All photos, except that last one, are from the lovely, amazing, Jennifer
Wanette, Oona, Sonja, Latrice, Devra, Jennifer, Kelli, and of course, my girl Heather.

So, forgive me for a second you guys - I'm sure this is going to sound like just another love-fest of a blogger meet-up recap - but let me put this in perspective for you: I have been sewing for a little over three years now, and blogging over two, and I have never had a real, live, in-depth chat with another sewist, let alone another sewing bogger! I was seriously over-the-moon. Getting to meet these women in real life, who's blogs I look to for inspiration, education, commiseration, to be awed and amazed, and for a good laugh, was such an incredible experience.  It re-newed my creative energy, and reminded me why I blog and make the effort to be a part of this space - because our little on-line community is made up of some of the most creative, talented, brilliant, kind, genuine, open-hearted and FUNNY women (and a few men) I have ever had the immense pleasure to come across. 

My weekend was epic. And one that I will hold close to my heart forever... at least until it happens again! And a special thank you to all you ladies up there that I had the chance to meet and talk to and get rowdy with.  Ya'll are precious.

xx

56 comments:

  1. I want disco butt and I want it now! You and your bathroom challenged jumpsuit look totes ace-of-base! I'm almost having a nervous breakdown that I don't have a jumpsuit pattern in my stash.
    The photos of you with the ladies in NYC look like so much fun. One day I'm going to come back to the U.S. and force you ladies to meet up with me.

    Well done on such a great new outfit!

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  2. Girl, your disco butt looks goooood. FLAUNT IT!


    I'm still so jealous of your NYC meet-up! Mood shopping with some of my favorite ladies, I die over here. At least I can stare at the pictures and be jealous from afar ;) Someday I will convince you to meet up with meeeeeeeee haha

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  3. You look marvelous, daaaahling!!

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  4. Firstly your jumpsuit is completely amazing - bathroom issues aside - and secondly so very jealous of your blogger meetup - looks like an incredible day. I hope we can gather all the fabulous sewing bloggers from Sydney one day. I concur from my online experiences that you couldn't find a more generous and lovely bunch of people.

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  5. You are totally kickass Sallie! I love your jumpsuit and your skinny disco butt to boot! I'm also so happy that you finally got to meet some lovely sewing people in the flesh...if a little jealous...what an awesome lineup!

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  6. Disco butt!! No idea what that means, but your butt does look amazing in that jumpsuit!!!
    Great jumpsuit!!! Very flattering!!!!

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  7. Dude, the jumpsuit is amazing and I am STILL jealous of this epic meetup. I've never meet an internet sewing person in the 4 years I've been blogging. Someday perhaps...

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  8. Also the bathroom thing is hilarious. I was with my sister the first time she encountered a toilet in a jumpsuit and it still makes me double over in laughter.

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  9. Haha! I mean, you think you'd see it coming - but somehow it totally takes you by surprise! Like... wait... huh? WTF you mean I have to get NAKED?!?!


    Also - I would LOVE to come to Chicago to hang!! That sounds like a blast!

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  10. There should be some kind of annual get-together of Sewing Ladies from Southern States! Seriously! We'll choose some kick-ass city, like Nashville or Austin or something and HAVE A BLAST!

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  11. wow! that looks amazing on you. and whatever disco butt actually is, it must be a good thing! one of the biggest reasons i haven't put a jumpsuit on my list is the bathroom issue... so yeah. but you look awesome!

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  12. What a babe! That jumpsuit is amazing, so flattering and chic. And kudos to you for drafting the pattern, it seriously looks BEAUTIFUL!
    I've only ever met one sewing/blogging lady before (Maddie) and that was lovely, I can only imagine how awesome NY must have been! I'm so jealous, but really happy for you too!
    I'll forever wonder what disco butt means, haha,

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  13. Ooh, I'm butting in here...if you do a Nashville / Austin meetup, I am totally getting all up in the middle of that. Two cities I've always wanted to visit....watch out!

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  14. Um, yes. DEFINITELY come to Chicago, I'm trying to rope Steph from Makes the Things into coming here, or me going to Denver. Either or. Ha!

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  15. What a great looking jumpsuit! I think you have truly enjoyed wearing it and it does look great on you!

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  16. This is starting to sound like a dream team here!! Jen AND Steph!! Swoon! I would be in full on girl-crush mode!

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  17. Thanks Marie!! Seriously - that meet-up was, like, one of the highlights of my LIFE! We've just got the nicest group of people surrounding us on the internet! It's so amazing!

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  18. its so great! I think you gave me the courage to finally wear mine. Im going to go for it this week. and it was amazing to finally meet you. I have admired you and your style for so long. I hope it happens again soon.

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  19. See, pattern drafting isn't so tough! Just a few lines drawn here and there + common sense and poof, you're good to go! Glad you got to meet the wonderful NYC ladies. It's always inspiring to meet them in person and transforms your friendship with them.

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  20. Great outfit! the secret to using a public toilet while wearing a jumpsuit (especially one with sleeves) is to face the commode while unfastening and lowering the top. When removing a jumpsuit, the top usually falls to the back. If you are facing the commode, the sleeves and top are less likely to land someplace wet and yucky.

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  21. Hi, love the jumpsuit. I have only just started to sew and your blog is a major inspiration for me, or how I would like to sew in the future when I have some expirence under my sleeve. I think your style is amazing, and all the garments you draft yourself are beautiful. Have you thought of starting your own pattern company? I know it is a big commitment and you have a life, but if you every did I would buy them all. Also if you ever decided and started a kick starter campaign you def have my money.
    Cheers,
    Viv

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  22. Love the jumpsuit! I have the same toilet issues when I wear my Onesie haha. It is now my goal to one day go to a blogger meetup, you've inspired me :)

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  23. This is why I keep my jumpsuits short. That way you can make the left hem-to-crotch-to right hem seam with poppers. No toilet issues ever XD And yea, real life meetups with cool sewists are awesome.

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  24. I had a total sewing-life-changing moment when I realized how well knit hems look with interfacing. It adds just the right amount of weight to make it look professional and not like one big hot mess. I love jumpsuits and I love this one. I was hoping you'd mention the naked bathroom squat -- bathroom barre at it's finest. AND, can I be jealous of your meetup for a minute.

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  25. Oh that jumpsuit looks amazing (as does you jacket in the NY shots.. I assume you made & dyed it yourself. So happy to take that interfacing tip!!

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  26. This is all kinds of freaking rad! Comfy and sassy? That's a win! Though the bathroom break conundrum is a tricky one... Looks like NYC was a blast!

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  27. Amazing jumpsuit! so jealous of your va va voom right now!!!

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  28. oh, that jumpsuit toilet combination is my favorite.. i even had more insane one, when i wore my jumpsuit to some barbecuing out in the nature kind of event, that involved lots of beer - sooo not fun!
    love your newest creation.. and that ny meeting sounds like a total blast :)

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  29. Amazing! You look absolutely stunning in this jumpsuit!! And I'm SO impressed with your 'drafting'! I immediately scanned this post to figure out what pattern you used. Funny story - when I was in high school and didn't know that anything about sewing yet I used to *try* to make dresses for my younger cousins by making them lay down on old sheets and tracing their bodies...like CSI cadaver-style. But it worked!! Though I still get teased about it today...haha
    Good luck in the bathroom!

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  30. I just got all misty, AGAIN. The vision of you in that fucking amazing jumpsuit that I MUST HAVE AT ANY COST is probably contributing. I'm not sure I fawned enough in person, but it really is the most perfect outfit that requires getting fully undressed to pee EVER MADE. I seriously gotta make my own from that crazy low cut Vogue I was telling you about. And I seriously gotta blog about that weekend... I guess I just wanted to enjoy it more in my head. xoxoxo

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  31. Jen, we're probably gonna take NY again.... you'll just HAVE TO COME.

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  32. I WOULD DESTROY NASHVILLE. Or Austin. OMG, we should starts a sewist travel round robin...

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  33. I will be there if it's the last thing I do...

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  34. Yes to sewist round robin. YES!

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  35. Yay for jumpsuits and blogger meet ups!

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  36. Your jumpsuit is one of the coolest things ever. Your night in NYC wouldn't have been the same in any other garment. Hello floor to ceiling windows in a bathroom 18 floors above the city! Ah memories. I think we should all make jumpsuits and wear them the next time you're in town.

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  37. Your trip to NY looks like it was awesome. What fun!



    I'm sure there must be a few other sewists down here on the island itself, because I sometimes have chatted with them at random when they came into my place of work. I think you're the only one down here with a blog though...even I don't have one.

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  38. Daaaaahhhhling your jumpsuit is beautiful!!! I have a cute pink polkadot romper/jumpsuit thing for sleeping in, but I rarely end up wearing it to bed because I dread the morning pee haha! It's so awkward. Anyways, I'm so jealous of your NYC meetup!! I long for those kinds of face to face conversations about blogging and sewing. I totally get it! I need a meet up in my life soon! p.s. I loooooove that fancy custom dyed jacket of yours! You're so talented. ...and also pretty in the face area (tell your husband to try that compliment out sometime haha!).

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  39. Nothing like getting practically nekkid in that gorgeous bathroom to make you feel like a TRUE NY socialite!! Haha!! Seriously one of the best nights EVER. We MUST do it again!! And I highly recommend wearing jumpsuits in crazy beautiful bathrooms!!

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  40. I was honestly a bit hesitant to blog about it... like... what do you say?? It was just TOO FUCKING INCREDIBLE!! Plus I was worried if I said too much more it would just end up being a love letter to you!


    And low cut Vogue jumpsuit MUST be made... Next time we meet let's pretend we're going to studio 54. You can be Bianca Jagger and I'll be Jerri Hall... Or vice versa... Whatever - either way we've both slept with Mick Jagger....

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  41. Hey Viv!! Thanks for leaving a comment! I'm so glad you started to sew!! It's just such a wonderful creative outlet, and I'm so glad that I can offer you some inspiration! I've never seriously considered selling any of my patterns, mostly because they truly are pretty gnarly hack jobs! Haha! But I take that as A HUGE compliment! So thank you! I have to say... you never know where life will lead you - so perhaps one day I'll sharpen up my skills and release something to the public. I'm totally flattered that you would be interested!

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  42. Ditto!! I truly hope it happens again soon - it was just SO much fun!
    You should definitely wear your jumpsuit! Yours was my inspiration!!

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  43. I can't believe it - you've made me swoon over a jumpsuit. I'm pretty sure that I've never seen one more perfect and more worthy of the extra song and dance in the loo.

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  44. So jumpsuits and toilets are not friends. Got it! I just love the neckline back and front, so flattering and feminine. I just love this!!

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  45. I don't know what a disco butt is, but it has to be a good thing because your butt looks amazing in that jumpsuit LOL - as does the rest of you (and sorry for being crude, but it had to be said LOL).


    Love the photos of your meetup - it looks like a super awesome time - lucky you!! :)

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  46. I love a good jumpsuit ! I've had one on my list for a while, although I would probably go for a long -sleeved one. Alsi I,m totally jealous of your blogger meet-up...I want to do a meet-up but i feel so far from everywhere people meet. Maybe I ought to organize one in Vancouver.

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  47. How amazingly awesome is it meeting other sewing enthusiasts in real life? Don't answer that... we already all know ;) I'm sure some epic shopping was had. And WOW - love the jumpsuit. Finishings on knits flummox me too... facings and interfacings with slightly less stretch than the fabric are clearly winning solutions. You look great! :)

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  48. Jealous of your pantsuit. If you made this into a pattern I would be the first one to buy it! Jealous of your meet up with all those awesome ladies! xo

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  49. Disco butt MUST be a high compliment in hubby's mind. Because this jumpsuit is THEE SHIT!! The only, the ONLY thing stopping me from copying it, your reminder about the bathroom. I spend way too much time going back and forth to it in order for this to work for me ;o)



    Also, I keep taking out the memory of that day of fun to coo over it when I'm feeling down. It works like a charm! Sewists have yet to let me down and you guys totally raised the awesomeness bar!!

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  50. This is my most favorite thing ever.

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  51. I know what you mean about the b-room jumpsuit problem, I wear overalls a lot. I have been meaning to make a jumpsuit. It looks fab on you, great self drafted pattern! What a rad meet up. Wonderful ladies!

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  52. You look so effortlessly elegant!! I love the cut of the top, both in the front and back.The meetup sounds amazing too. Such a great group!

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  53. This jumpsuit is TOO KILLER-- I love it! It's even cooler in person! I'm so, so glad I got to meet you-- I've loved your blog for ages, and you're even cooler, sweeter, and more fun than you seem on the blog!

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  54. I'm so with you on the jumpsuits-are-awesome-for-everything. I can't name it better than you have. Instant chic! Totally worth the unrobing. I love your photos of the meetup. In fact, I just came over here from Heather's blog because I was dying to know if you made & dyed that shibori jacket. (I have another post to read.) Great outfit. I'm doing some tying and dyeing right now on linen... getting some practice. I think I'm totally addicted to dyeing everything and need far more space... this hobby just keeps growing!

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