Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Body of Work

How often do I promote a pattern 12 hours after seeing it online? (OK, other than with Brooklyn Tweed offerings...)

I have a very good feeling about this:


Closet Case Files - Nettie Skirt and Body Suit

Fun fact: Heather Lou, the designer of this fab pattern, lives in Montreal (on the Plateau, if her outside pics are anything to go by). Nothing screams Mtl more than a body suit. Peeps, it's the ultimate layer. And it's non-negotiably chic, as the Mtl ladies must be.

Look, I'm the original body-suit (aka body, for those of you living in the UK!) wearer. I freakin' love the long, sleek line.

Why does the body suit flatter?
  • It maximizes length of waist and minimizes waist bulk.
  • It creates the sense of waist curve, even on straight frames.
  • It's sleek.
  • It's an excellent layering piece.
  • It's so disco - in the best way!
Unless you carry rolls around the waist - and as long as you wear an EXCELLENTLY fitted bra - the body suit flatters practically everyone. Really, don't fuck around with the bra. If it fits badly, you'll look hideous in this style of top. Natch, if you're towards the flat end of the spectrum, make the backless version and go braless. I'm not trying to interfere with your small-chested fun.

Because I have a summer's worth of projects lined up (post coming soon), I don't think I can queue this quickly, but I'm watching for all of your versions and feedback and posts. And I do imagine it's going to be a late summer weekend project for me. I can see this becoming a staple.

So, whatcha think?
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31 comments:

  1. Sew little timeApril 30, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    i;m not a bodysuit fan as i'm more of a slim top untucked than a tucker-inner. also i have horrible memories of trying to do up the poppers in tiny toilet cubicles the last time around (OK i was about 17 or 18 so i guess there's a good possibility i may have had a drink or two!).

    but i love heather lou and she has really spotted a gap in the market here - i imagine i'll have a blogroll full of netties shortly! i will be making a bombshell swimsuit this summer tho, so maybe i'm just a bit late on the bandwagon!

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    1. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:35 PM

      You're not the only one with the snap issues! And it really is a gap in the market that's been targeted. I tried to make one once (a hack from a dance pattern) and it did not succeed! I was much less experienced at sewing so I don't think I was up to the challenge :-)

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  2. AnneApril 30, 2014 at 9:55 AM

    I love it! Thanks for posting. I need something like this for wearing under full skirts or layering under a sweater in the winter.

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    1. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:36 PM

      Isn't it great? It'll make your waist look so long!

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  3. AndreaApril 30, 2014 at 10:12 AM

    Yeah, not for me, for the same reason Joanne pointed out above: those pesky snaps were awful to do up. I really don't want to fight with my clothes (or with anything/anyone else for that matter).

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  4. materfamiliasApril 30, 2014 at 10:15 AM

    So listen: I once had a canary-yellow ribbed-knit poly-something-or-other body suit -- head to toe, yes, long sleeved, sleekly fitted, and with a zipper down the front -- I know! you want to say "Get Out!" don't you? But it's true, I had such a garment, and I wore hot pants over it. Some of which I'd knit myself. I've revealed more than enough (ha, pun not intended), so I'll bow out now. And excuse myself that this happened in the very early 70s. . . . Oh happy days. . .

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    1. GenevieveApril 30, 2014 at 3:37 PM

      This really made my day. I don't know you but thank you for this image of awesomeness.

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    2. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:37 PM

      I'm with Genevieve - this image is awesome Frances! This must have been before your mom lifestyle kicked in cuz there is not time to take that kind of outfit on and off to pee when you've got young ones at the door :-)

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    3. materfamiliasApril 30, 2014 at 5:44 PM

      Thank you, both. Funny that I'd repressed this awesomeness until reading your post, K. And then it just sprung out into the world! (Fortunately, or not, no photographic proof exists of this image, but a friend or two might still testify, if I don't get to her first. . . .) ;-)

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    4. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:50 PM

      Fine - but if you ever find a stray photo (or a similar outfit) you must let us know immediately. It's the zipper I can't get over. When I was in Uni, I went to Mtl for the weekend (my close friends were there) and we went out on a crazy weekend. I bought a jersey cat suit (princess seamed) in white - short shorts version?!?! with a front zipper. I swear, I must have looked like I was working the strip. But I felt fine! And I really did have the body for it. It's my 25th high school reunion this weekend. I'll have to see if my friends remember...

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    5. materfamiliasApril 30, 2014 at 8:09 PM

      Oh, they'll remember. . . .

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  5. PaskiaqApril 30, 2014 at 10:15 AM

    I'm so excited to try it...it looks amazing on her! I love the bombshell pattern so I'm sure this one will be a winner too!

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    1. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:38 PM

      I haven't tried the bathing suit - I sense I need more support than it would provide - but I love the look!

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  6. ClioApril 30, 2014 at 10:27 AM

    I'm totally feeling the Nettie-love, although I think I'll be sewing a bombshell first.

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    1. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:39 PM

      I can't believe you haven't sewn it yet. Isn't that, like, designed with you in mind?

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  7. SeraphinalinaApril 30, 2014 at 10:37 AM

    I haven't thought about body suits since oh, late high school/early university when it was the 'thing to wear' to the bar. Sadly I am of the soft belly frame that I really don't like shirts to be quite that snug at the middle. Still, it's definitely a gap. I can't think of ever seeing someone making a body suit on blogs. Unless maybe it's a skating/gymnastic pattern but then it is probably designed with non-fashion fabrics in mind.

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    1. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:40 PM

      Usually, when I wore a style (into the ground) the first time, I stay the hell away when it makes a resurgence! But this I cannot resist. I don't know why this style went away in the first place. I continue to wear the Woolford ones, when I can find them on sale, which is like never! I've tried a KwikSew pattern hack (see above) but it didn't work out...

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    2. SeraphinalinaMay 6, 2014 at 2:25 PM

      I followed the link to see the full pattern and I got so focused on the bodysuit I didn't think about the dress. That looks pretty cute but would depend on fabric choices - a little more heft and a little less cling I suspect, just so it all smooths out nicely.

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    3. K.LineMay 11, 2014 at 9:49 AM

      I know - the dress is adorable (if not really "for me"). It's perfect for the elegant 20-somethings. But were the perfect fabric to make itself known, I might consider it.

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  8. lisa g.April 30, 2014 at 12:14 PM

    i'm not quite on this one yet, though i see it being all sorts of practical for pairing with skirts! nothing worse than negotiating the bulk from a tee in the tummy area under anything less than a full skirt. i can see myself giving this a go if we were headed into winter (though some days, it feels like we are... c'mon spring!). BUT the smartest thing she did here was provide not only neckline variations, but a dress option. there's something in this pattern for everyone!

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    1. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:41 PM

      So great with a denim skirt! Or with a flowy jersey skirt! Or with a slim pencil skirt! Or with an electric blue leather skirt :-) And you called it on the versatility of the design. So smartly done.

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  9. birdmommyApril 30, 2014 at 4:02 PM

    Nope nope nopity nope. I am most definitely not the target audience for this one. But I'm looking forward to seeing them on other people.

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    1. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:42 PM

      Ha! Each to her own. You're not going to see me many woven tea dresses and they're all the rage. :-)

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    2. birdmommyApril 30, 2014 at 9:23 PM

      My son wandered into the room while I was looking at Carolyn's (as in Handmade by...) versions. His first question was "You couldn't wear that could you? I thought you had to wear pants at work". His second thought was that they were actually meant for boys, since "a girl would have to take all their clothes off just to go pee". I think he raises valid points on both accounts. :)
      As for woven tea dresses, I finally came to terms with the fact that no matter how much I weigh or what undergarments I wear, I'm never going to be able to have the body that i think looks good in those sorts of 1950's confections. I love lagenlook (I drool over the Kaliyana ads in the Globe and Mail), but my husband absolutely loathes it. and I've never had an 'unsolicitation' when I wear it. So I'm still trying to figure out my personal style...

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  10. Kelli WardApril 30, 2014 at 5:13 PM

    i was a pattern tester for this pattern and it really is a winner. looks so good with full summer skirts.

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    1. K.LineApril 30, 2014 at 5:43 PM

      Oh, thanks so much for the feedback! Great to know that you have tried and approved. I'm sure this is fantastic on you...

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  11. AnonymousMay 1, 2014 at 2:04 AM

    I couldn't get my paypal password entered fast enough when I saw this pattern yesterday. Though I am of the "squishy in the midsection" body-type, I'm hopeful this won't be a really bad look for me, especially for layering. I like the cropped sweater look, but need something to avoid actually showing off anything between sweater and waistband. This might be my answer when wearing skirts instead of dresses.

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    1. K.LineMay 1, 2014 at 9:30 PM

      I know! That's how I was (and my PayPal sorely needs a rest...) I'm sure it will be a lovely look. Use a beefy knit with lycra (that isn't shiny). This is just the thing to deflect any squish :-)

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  12. AmyMay 1, 2014 at 7:36 PM

    She also asked me to test and it's such an easy make and a fun thing to have in the closet. I have been digging bodysuits a lot this year. Makes a great layer. (And I also attest for the smaller chested, I can def. can go braless with the right fabric, hehe.)

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    1. K.LineMay 1, 2014 at 9:31 PM

      Glad to hear that this body suit is easy, fun and that your braless self has been enjoying it :-)

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