TL; DR – Thank goodness for 5/8″ seem allowances, I finally understand how to use the stitch-in-the-ditch foot, long live heavy dark lines and large fonts!

I cut the fabric for this jumpsuit out a year ago, before I realized my body had changed. As soon as I saw the style of the Ludlow Jumpsuit from Sewing and the City, I knew I wanted to make it in this off-white linen-blend that I had. But then I didn’t want to make it because the largest size (which I had cut out) was no longer big enough. So there it sat on my cutting table. FOR A YEAR.

Finally, summer is coming up again, and so I decided, what the hell, I’ll sew it and if it doesn’t fit I’ll give it away. The fabric was being wasted anyway, just sitting there, already cut out and ready. I also read the instructions and found that it had a 5/8″ seem allowance, which I could easily reduce to 3/8″, and between that and the final garment measurements I figured I could make it work for me.

I forgot how nice the pattern itself was to cut out. The lines were DARK and WIDE, making it easy to see and follow (yeah, I’m getting old). The markings were also really clear and easy to understand. I am here for heavy, dark lines and large fonts! The construction, too, was straightforward enough, although I struggled with the collar a little, because the picture made it look like I should sew the pieces folded in half, instead of to each other. It also wasn’t clear to me when I was to finish the placket, so I accidentally did it BEFORE sewing the snaps (so the stitches for the snaps would be invisible), and had to undo my lovely stitches in the ditch and then do them again.

Which brings me to my biggest win for this project: finally figuring out how to use the stitch-in-the-ditch foot for my machine. There’s a little bendy piece that is made to pull the side of the “ditch” back, and I finally got it to work! It’s the nicest stitch-job I’ve ever done. I mean, it helps that it’s all white and the thread literally blends into the fabric, but I know it’s there!

All in all, I’m pretty pleased with the fit and how it turned out. Next time, I’d make the ties longer, and I guess I still could. I love how secure the GIANT SNAPS are to holding it together (especially around my chest!), and it has pockets. When I first sat down to sew this, I didn’t think I’d ever make it again, but now, I’m not so sure! I kinda dig it!