Since making my Seamwork Sky Jumpsuit, I have been thinking about making another in a knit fabric. In all honesty, I wanted the Paper Theory Zadie jumpsuit since seeing so many incredible versions on Instagram, but it was out of my price range so it will have to wait until I have more money coming in since I am unemployed. I got the Ellie & Mac South Shore Romper on sale instead. I love the faux wrap bodice and figured the knit fabric would make it comfortable.
I made size 3XL with no alterations in shorts length with short sleeves. It’s not a perfect fit. Both back and front crotch need some work, but it is comfortable. It kind of reminds me of the onesies I’ve made in terms of comfort.
I think the bodice fit is pretty good. The sleeves could use a slight full bicep adjustment as I find them difficult to get off for the bathroom.
My main issue with the romper are the pockets. 1) They are drafted far too small! Readers, you know how this irks me. So you also know how I sized them up before sewing. Of course! 2) They don’t really sit nicely. So if I make this again, I will change the pockets so that the tops of the pocket bags are sewn into the waist seam to give them a bit more stability in a knit fabric. I have some other minor issues with the drafting. Sleeves are cut on the fold. I know personally this type of sleeve doesn’t tend to fit me well and always causes a bit of excess fabric in the front since I have a big bust. It can work for some people to have sleeves cut on the fold, but not me. Not being a pattern drafter, I think I will just somehow graft the sleeve of another knit shirt that fits the way I want on to this one and change the shape of the armsyce to fit better.
All in all, though, I really like the romper. It was exactly what I wanted for this pineapple cotton lycra and for a warm weather comfort wear. 🙂
TL:DR Review
- Pattern: Ellie & Mac South Shore Romper
- Pros: Great size range. Many options for sleeves and lengths with an optional tie.
- Cons: Pockets too small and don’t sit right so they would benefit from a redraft so that the top of the pockets are caught in the waist seam. Sleeve cut on fold doesn’t work for me.
- Make again?: Yes. I’ve been wearing it non-stop since making it.
- Rating:
3.5/5 stars
Andie Wells Studio 
You might want to check out some of Peggy Sagers of Silhouette Patterns YouTube videos for sleeve and armholes- she has several that show how to do that… pick your favorite knit sleeve and the corresponding armhole from whatever pattern works, and copy them onto the pattern you are working with. You match the corner of the shoulder and the side seam then use the curve . I have used it a few times and found it works pretty well. I have copied those onto cardboard so there are easy to use. Good luck and thanks for sharing. Very very cute and comfy looking.
Ooh thanks for that tip! That’s exactly what I am looking to do!
Good idea with putting the pockets in the waist seam. I don’t like how some pockets flap around and you can’t even get you hand in because they flop in the wrong direction. You look great though, the pockets don’t matter that much!
I completely agree, Linda. And thank you so much ❤