Readers, I’ve gone down the bodysuit rabbit hole. In my defense, it’s not entirely my fault. When a favorite blogger/seamstress (Heather) makes a hot new pattern inspired by another favorite blogger/seamstress (Wanett), I’m basically hooked. Add to that the fact that everyone who’s made one looks super-duper mega-sexy, and, well, I couldn’t help myself.
Just in case you haven’t seen the pattern yet, this here is the Nettie bodysuit. For my first version, I chose the scoop neck/medium scoop back/short sleeves combo, and used a soft, stretchy cotton-lycra blend from Mood Fabrics NYC. This fabric was crazy easy to sew, and feels amazing on. I didn’t make any alterations to the pattern, but sewed up a straight size 8 and it totally works.
Action shot!
I sewed this entirely on my sewing machine, using a narrow zigzag stitch (1.5mm wide x 2.5 mm long) for seams and a slightly wider zigzag (2.5mm wide x 2.5mm long) for topstitching. Yes, I have a serger, but sometimes serged seams feel kind of scratchy to me, and I definitely didn’t want something this close-fitted to be itchy. So if you want to try this but don’t have a serger, don’t be afraid! Dive right in!
I tried to use a scrap of silk as the crotch lining, but I just couldn’t get it ironed into a nice, clean rectangle, so I scrapped that and used some grosgrain ribbon that I had lying around that happened to be the right width. This is probably a little stiffer than desired, but it works and the snaps are concealed nicely.
I never, never, NEVER wear anything this fitted (honestly, I just don’t wear fitted knits… negative ease WHAT?!), but I feel really comfortable in this. When I slipped this on and added the skirt (it’s from American Apparel and I’d had it in my wardrobe for YEARS, but haven’t worn it much because I just don’t have anything that looks right with it) I suddenly felt so, so chic. I immediately thought of Sophia Loren and started swanning around like a crazy person, much to Man Friend’s chagrin. I don’t know why, but the scoop neck and back just make me feel so feminine and pretty, in a weird dress-up way (WHICH I’M TOTALLY FINE WITH).
So, I fell in love and immediately wanted another Nettie in my life. This is where things went off the rails a bit. I made a trek to Spandex House, lose my mind completely, and bought an armload of very questionable prints. I mean, I think I did pretty good considering that I didn’t come back with any jewel/bullet/glacier/pot leaf/French fries/guns AND roses/skeletons on surfboards prints when I had the option for all of those. I stand by my choices and love them all, but I’ve officially entered Man Repellant territory.
I chose my favorite print of the bunch (you can find it here if you’re desperate for the same print) to dive into and sewed up another version, this time swapping out the long sleeves for three-quarter length. This is a four-way stretch nylon-spandex blend, so it definitely feels less like normal clothes and more like weird sportswear (I keep rubbing my belly when I wear this because I feel like I’m petting a marine mammal or something). It definitely feels tighter and less breathable.
I sewed up this puppy on the regular sewing machine, making sure to use a stretch needle (rather than a ballpoint). I used a scrap of cotton in a coordinating color for the lining, which worked really well. It was a super quick sew and again I didn’t need to make any adjustments.
Something to think about when you’re sewing up something like a bodysuit is the stretch of the fabric. This is probably pretty obvious for most people, but if you’re new to sewing with knits, you may not realize how much fabric choice affects the fit. I sewed both of these in the same size and modeled them on the same day, but the printed one feels much tighter than the other because of the varying amounts of stretch in the fabric. If you’re on the fence about if your fabric is stretchy enough, definitely refer to Heather’s post about fabric here. You don’t want to waste time sewing something you feel sausaged into!
One thing I’m not happy about with this bodysuit is the styling. I planned to wear this with my grey Moss mini skirt, but I forgot how low the skirt sits on my hips. It looked completely silly with it! I’m really not loving this with my tight jeans, but I’m not sure how else to wear it! Should I make a skirt similar to my AA skirt (worn with the blue bodysuit)? Or wear it with wide-leg jeans, definitely running the risk of looking SUPER 90’s? Sallie’s bodysuit/jeans pairing looks super sexy, but it’s just not working on me.
A word of warning: as I alluded to before, this sort of garment elicits STRONG feelings from the menfolk in my life. I got the worst review ever from Man Friend:
“It’s a monstrous garment. It’s not your fault. No one should want to wear it… unless you’re about to ride the pommel horse in the 1996 Atlanta games”.
Monstrous? You meant fabulous, right?
Which, PSHAW, everyone knows that only dudes use the pommel horse, so, I mean, who’s obviously wrong here? Of course, it’s no secret that Man Friend Criticism (MFC) just empowers me to go as far as I can in the direction of the loud, tacky, and generally ridiculous, so bring it on, mister! #CLOTHESBEFOREBROS
In other news, today is my third blogiversary! I never thought three years ago when I wrote my first post that anyone would be interested in reading my blog, and I definitely didn’t know how passionate I would become about sewing! Thank you so much to everyone who reads my blog, to everyone who blogs, and to all of y’all who just generally make the internet a happier, sweeter, and more well-dressed place! You guys are the best!
Also, as I was typing this up today, I noticed that this will be my 200th post! Dang, I talk a lot! So, I think a giveaway’s in order, huh? Leave a comment below if you’d like to win your own copy of the Nettie bodysuit! Because I’m nosy, tell me what fabric you would use for your Nettie! I’ll choose a winner at random on Friday, so I’ll close the comments at 12PM EST on Friday 5/16. Yay!
So tell me- bodysuits, yay or nay? And wild prints- yes? No? Maybe? How would you style a bodysuit?
Ginger Makes... 
Congratulations on your blogiversary! 🙂 I’d be boring and safe and use black jersey. :}
LikeLike
I love both versions, they look fantastic! Happy blogiversary 🙂 I just start recently blogging and it is a lot fun to think of ideas to post. I have an idea in my head to make a Netty bodysuit in classic black cotton/spandex to wear with a floaty shear (with shorter lining) light pink skirt a la ballerina inspired.
LikeLike
Man friend is a crack up!!!!
I would make a Nettie in black. You can’t go wrong with black!
LikeLike
I am dying over his comment, omg!!! Thank god my internet got fixed so I could read that!! The suits look great, and I have that second fabric in my bathing suit pile, should I ever get so brave. I don’t think there’s any way I can make a bodysuit work on me though 😦
LikeLike
He’s out of control! I think that would make a super cute swimsuit! Do it!!!
LikeLike
Congrats! I love the low back on the Nettie pattern. I’d make a basic white one with a v-neck to start out. Your spandex version is awesome. Do not listen to man friend, American Gladiator inspired garments are the best!
LikeLike
AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Man Friend loves American Gladiator… maybe I just need to remind him of that!
LikeLike
Clothes before bros… Bahahahaha! Awesome. Just awesome.
LikeLike
I think you look pretty in both outfits, the 90′s are coming back 😉
I didn’t know either that I need a bodysuit in my life but I think you have converted me. I’d sew one in a fabric I have in my stash. It’s designed for dancers and has silver worked in it for some reasons I can’t remember.
LikeLike
I’d make this in a solid knit, because I rarely wear prints.
LikeLike
Classic black knit for me — it goes with everything. Although navy blue and white might be next. Thanks for the giveaway!
LikeLike
I’d been thinking about making some half-tees to layer under my dresses in the winter, but now that Nettie’s come out and I’ve seen such wonderful versions across the blogosphere, I’m definitely leaning towards making a few of them instead. Love the wild print, and I would definitely wear something similar under solid color dresses (very rarely wear skirts or trousers, just dresses). I found some great cotton/rayon/spandex jersey that is fabulous, and I would probably make it in all the colors of the rainbow if Nettie fit as well and as comfortably as everyone says!
LikeLike
“Clothesbeforebros”..LMAO!!!!!!!!!! Love it. Everyone knows the pommel horse is the b e s t event. 😉 I was thinking Audrey Hepburn for the navy one, very sweet. . . If I were to sew a Nettie I suppose I’d get a leopard print and wear it with black flowy trousers, big Jacki O sunglasses, and platform flip flops. But I do have to ask-it is annoying when you have to pee? Ok I’m out. 😀
LikeLike
Ummmm YES, you definitely should do leopard! Perfect! It’s not so bad WC-wise… the snap crotch makes things pretty straightforward… you just have to make sure everything stays out of the way, LOL!
LikeLike
I’m not entering the giveaway (already got me some Nettie love!), but I just wanted to say: 1.#clothesbeforebros is my new favorite hashtag ever; 2. MFC slays me; 3. omg do you think they sell bald eagle/American Flag spandex?? Because, I need.
LikeLike
I also see Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina. I think some tight ankle length pants and sandals & maybe a shawl for volume. Also skirts look good, tight or like yours. Prints and solids are both so usable here. It’s sewers choice. Love the comment by your BF. You should practice landing and holdng arms up in public when your out with him. You do look great BTW
LikeLike
I think I would make it up in a stripe to layer under my solid button up shirts for summer. I like the idea of the tight ankle length pants with the Nettie.
LikeLike
I like them both! I would love to make a Nettie, but I would start with one in black or grey. Thanks!
LikeLike
Clearly bodysuits are a yay, I’ve always thought they’d solve the problem of shirts shimmying up under full skirts to the waistband (I know I can’t be the only one with the problem – then you have a weird lump of shirt to contend with.)
And I’d be lying if I didn’t say I went to the Spandex House website to look up that fabric, everyone needs some Atlanta ’96 swag in their wardrobe.
LikeLike
Both your Nettie versions are wonderful!! I particularly like the low back, I think it makes them so elegant. I would definitely make one in black (it is a wardrobe staple!) to wear with a long black skirt. I really liked Chris´ idea of navy and white sailor stripes, I might give it a go too! 😀
LikeLike
Love both your versions!! I need a Nettie in my life right now! I can’t deal with all the amazing versions popping around the sewing blogosphere anymore! I’m thinking a navy striped low back version with 3/4 sleeves!
LikeLike
Whoa, you look soo chic in the bodysuit+skirt combo! I really love the low back with the extra feminine skirt — you’re like a graceful ballerina or Sofia Coppola! I’m impressed you managed to avoid the gold+guns+girls style spandex! I like the jeans bodysuit look, though maybe it needs a solid color (navy?) maxi skirt to really shine! (Sallie does rock the jeans+bodysuit like nobody’s business, but I never know how to wear bodysuits with anything other than skirts!)
LikeLike
Love it!! And go the wild prints too! Up until now I’ve avoided sewing with knits, no serger, how do I choose/cut/sew fabric etc etc but for the Nettie I’m game! Plus Heather’s sewalong will hopefully make it beginner idiot-proof for me 🙂
LikeLike
These body suits look fab on you! I am glad you decided to wear them despite man friends feedback. I love the print too! Makes me want to try this pattern!
LikeLike
I’m way behind on my blog reading but just wanted to say you should make up a whole bunch of skirts in that style because that’s such a great little outfit on you and you look so happy in it! A yummy grey marl would look lovely with the patterned Nettie
LikeLike
Pingback: Ginger Made: Simplicity 1690 Crop Top + Gathered Skirt! | Ginger Makes...
SO MUCH YAY to bodysuits AND wild prints!! I think you look smashing, dear!! Seriously – I went out and bought the pattern after seeing this. I must have some crazy bodysuits of my own to run around in 🙂 Well done!!!
LikeLike
Pingback: Top 5 of 2014: Hits + Misses! « Ginger Makes…