About a year ago I saw a little video on Instagram from fashion brand, Zimmerman. It was a clip from one of their fashion shows and a model is walking down the runway in a lilac linen boilersuit with a standup collar, big bishop sleeves and an elastic waistband. Well, I just nearly fell in love right then and there.
It took me the next year to find the perfect lilac linen. After searching online and in stores with no luck I decided that instead of looking for the fabric, I would let her come to me.
Lo and behold, one day I happened upon a linen stand at the fabric market that comes to town once a year. and what do you know? I found her: the perfect lightweight linen in the color lilac.
I used Mimi G Style for Simplicity #8060 . I’ve made this boilersuit several times before with great success, so I figured it would be a good base to start from.
My initial plan was:
Alter the sleeves to balloon sleeves with rushed elastic cuffs. I figured an elastic cuff would be more practical to get in and out of rather than a bishop sleeve (having to unbutton this whole thing is enough hassle to deal with in you’re in the bathroom and have to go really badly).
Widen the waistband to 1.5” wide and add elastic instead of a drawstring.
Add ruched elastic ankle cuffs.
So, I made the sleeves. They were big and voluminous and the cuffs were ruched, but it made the whole outfit look like it was for 90’s ski instructor. I trimmed the sleeves down and added a placket and shirt cuff instead.
I did widen the waistband and add elastic, securing it down at the front with a row of stitches that align with the topstitching of the button band. I also added a hook and bar closure to the inside of the waistband to keep it from gaping open.
I did not add the elastic cuffs to the legs for the same fear that they would make it look like a ski suit. I think I made the right decision…
In the end, this jumpsuit really only shares the main shape and color of the suit I fell in love with on Instagram all those many month before. I still love it, though, and it will get a lot more wear. I guess the moral of this story is: one should always have an inspiration, but if it’s going to be too hard to use the restroom, or if you’re going to look like a ski instructor from the 90’s in the middle of summer then you should make adjustments.
Happy Making!
Bella
