I haven’t worn a bodysuit since the early 90s. Back then, I had one or two that I wore all the time. I love them. Then I started getting a stomach and was told to conceal it with baggy tops that weren’t tucked in. At 12, I was being given the worst fashion advice ever: you can’t show confidence if you are fat.
Fast forward to now and I am all about tucking in my tops and don’t care if they are curve-hugging. At 37, I show my confidence like crazy.
I wanted to try a bodysuit again. I’m all about revisiting and unlearning bad fashion advice that didn’t include wear whatever you want. I wear shorts now because of that.
I also really wanted to try the shoulderless or off the shoulder trend that I am late to the game for… So I knew I needed to make view E or F. I chose this lovely liverpool knit that LA Finch Fabrics sent me (edit: along with a bunch of other knit fabrics in a bundle) when I won the #letssewthistogether challenge for May, Summer Whites. I am not a huge fan of liverpool knit, but this is definitely one of the best quality liverpool knits I’ve come across. It feels a lot nicer than any of the others I have used and it sewed up better than the others. My main issue with liverpool knit is that the prints are printed on white backing which sometimes shows through when you are sewing or if the garment stretches too much in a particular area. This knit does do that but at a higher stretch than most other liverpools I have used. Liverpool knit is also mostly polyester and can be really hot to wear…hence being perfect for a shoulderless top so I can breathe!
LA Finch sent me just over a yard of the liverpool knit so it was pattern tetris to get this to fit with some smart changes to make use of the fabric. I just squeezed this into one yard by cutting only half of the sleeve in the liverpool knit and then lining it with some white poly knit I have as well as using the white knit for the leg bands.
The back is cut in two pieces and the the back centre seam provides some lovely shaping. I really like it. It might still need a bit of a swayback adjustment, but it’s pretty close and seems to have a bit of a swayback built into the pattern.
The pattern went together really well. The instructions were pretty clear. I did make a few changes. I added straps to conceal my bra straps so I can wear a regular bra with it. That’s always been my issue with the off the shoulder trends. I am not making a whole new bra pattern just for it! I also didn’t use snap tape but instead sewed on a strip of bias tape and then sewed snaps to that. The snaps I have are big heavy duty ones so they work well and don’t unsnap from stretching. The whole bodysuit can actually slip on from the bottom since the neckline is so wide. That helps bunches with my bad shoulders. I call this a win for my accessibility.
Fit is good. I made 28W with my 50 inch bust and graded to a 30W at the hips for my 54 inch hips. The liverpool knit doesn’t have a lot of lengthwise stretch so the bodysuit feels a bit snug lengthwise. Not really an issue with my short torso but something to keep in mind for others to have a knit with good 4-way stretch. I mean…the pattern says that, but when you get it in your head to use a specific fabric…well….. haha.
TL:DR Review
- Pattern: Simplicity 8344 Bodysuit
- Pros: I love the final result! I think the size range is great. I am glad to not be choosing the biggest size for my bodysuit!
- Cons: I don’t think I have any cons. It’s a nicely constructed pattern!
- Make again?: YES! I love it. I’m still sort of deciding whether I want to change it to a top, though, since it’s not the easiest garment for bathroom emergencies even with the snaps. lol.
- Rating:
5/5 stars
Andie Wells Studio 
This looks AWESOME!
OMG between the colors, style & fit you have a fabulous look going on.
Love the shorter skirt too it’s about time you show off your beautiful legs.
Thank so much, Becca! 🙂 🙂 I’m pretty happy with it! ❤
Put snaps in the crotch for bathroom! Kinda like a kids onesie!
I did put snaps on for the bathroom, but you still have to reach for it and unsnap. A little more work than just untucking a top. 😉 LOL I should probably stop sewing long enough so I don’t have “bathroom emergencies.” hahaha. I just get so focused on it. 😉
I love bodysuits and have 3 RTW versions! They’re all pretty different in style though 🙂 I do want a simple tank-style so I may have to do that (the Nettie did not work for me).
I love, love, love this print!! It looks really fantastic.
Oh and re: the length…you can find a scrap of your fabric and make a little extension. You’ll have to do another set of snaps but then you’ll have a little extra room AND you can bring the spot where you undo it a bit more forward with the extension!
Thanks so much! I think I just need to wear it a few times to get used to the unsnapping for the bathroom. LOL. I used to love wearing them so I can definitely see this becoming a TNT pattern. 🙂
Oooh, I think I will move the snaps forward a bit. That’s actually a good idea. I do find they are a bit too far back for me. I might have the tiniest scrap of fabric for that. Thanks! 😀
Andie, just add snaps to the crotch and it would be easier to wear! This outfit is cute though!
Thanks, Abbey! Yep there are snaps on the crotch. But it’s still as easy for the bathroom as say just untucking a shirt. 🙂
WOW! You sure showed “them”!! (the fashion police from the 80s & 90s) I was wearing my tops tucked in back then!! I’d given up on the Maternity look. Big Beautiful Woman Magazine was out new then. I even wore suspenders and paperbag waist pants with my tops tucked in! (Of course I was the Mom then :o)
But eventually they beat us down again, styles morphed back.
I see you and your style and I think…..We are back! We rise again! We are not going to dress 2nd class anymore! And Andie you have a gift for fashion. Not just plus size fashion- real women’s all inclusive fashion! WOW! you look amazing!!
Thanks, Eliz! You are the sweetest! ❤ ❤ I'm actually tacking paperbag waist pants soon! I have the best fabric for it so I hope it works out. I think it will. 😉
Brilliant use of that fabric–it’s perfect as this bodysuit! I love the colors. (Although I have to get a little sh*tty and say 1-and-a-bit yards for a prize?! I hope there were other fabrics or goodies in there too, because otherwise that’s pretty stingy IMO…)
You are totally owning this garment, fashion and body police be damned! (As they should be.) The bodysuit trend is one I keep meaning to tackle; maybe this Fall/Winter will be my season at last. 😉
Thanks so much, Mads! Oh the prize was a bundle of knit fabrics. I got like 7 or 8 different ones. Some had 2 yards in them! It was a ridiculously good prize. 🙂
This turned out amazingly gorgeous. I love how it fits. But man fooling with snaps in my crotch areal. LOL that would be a mess. The skirt and the fit is so awesome. Good job.
Thanks so much, Tammy! Yeah, the snaps are annoying. Based on someone’s suggestion, though, I think I am going to move the snaps forward on future versions since it will be easier to get in and out that way. 🙂