Romper

Aren't rompers super-cute? I think so. They're also in-style. I know because I went to a school-sponsored event the other day and a bunch of the girls were wearing them...which probably means they're already on the back-end of trendy... (I'm really out of touch with clothing trends...is that ironic?) 

My brother, who is not as fashion-oriented as I am, insists on misinterpreting the name of my newest garment. Whenever I'm wearing it, he makes sure to tell me to "break a leg" or "break out a dance move!" or "I know you have senioritis, but don't break out of graduation practice." In Spanish, you see, romper means to break. 

And actually, that's a pretty good metaphor for this article of clothing. Por ejemplo: 

One usage of "romper" is to describe waves breaking. Which is appropriate because SUMMER IS HERE and I am officially BEACH-BOUND!!!  

Celebration shot!

Romper can also be used to mean "take a break"...which I seriously need. High school is over...I know where I'm going to college (more on that in another post)...time to de-stress and kick back. 

Not intended to refer to acne, tears, or prison. Read below.

Because the future is bright, my friends! I'm on the verge of adulthood, and I'm ready to break out into the world! 

Thanks, WordReference!

And finally, if we want to talk about the most literal definition of breaking (and actual sewing, because that's what this blog is supposed to be about), this project was definitely a stash-buster. 

Everything I used to make this romper--fabric, pattern, interfacing, lining, elastic, even the buttons--came from the stash. 

Can you make out the $1.50 in the top right corner? Read 'em and weep.

This design, 6904 by Simplicity, is a jumpsuit pattern...from 1975. I bought it off eBay a while ago because it's absolutely adorable. 

I'm going to come right out and say that I LOVE this pattern. It's easy, it's cute, it's got vintage quality and it FITS ME. (I did add 3 inches along the "lengthen/shorten here" line on the waist, but that was a preemptive guess, not an after-the-fact alteration.) I pretty much cut it out and sew it on up. 

Here's what I mean by "vintage quality"...look at those nice, clear markings, thick black lines, and marked seam allowances! The triangles even extend outside the cutting line so you remember to cut them. Someone thinks about these things.

In fact, I love this pattern so much that it is the ONLY pattern that I have ever made twice. (A couple summers ago I made the long, full-on-70s flare-leg version in a pale blue denim with a silver sheen...it is very amazing. But I will post that another time because I was too lazy to take pics the other day.) 

I decided to make this pattern again because I wanted a quick, cute summer outfit. 

Note: I did make one simple, purely design alteration. The pattern only has a belt panel on the front of the garment, and a simple waist seam on the back (what?). Since I was drawing attention to the belt by using a different fabric, I drafted a matching back belt piece and reduced the back bodice and pants accordingly. 

These two white-and-black inverse fabrics with contrast embroidery have been in my mom's stash forever. I think they're a medium-weight cotton. They look adorable together. I liked the contrast so much that I made self-faced buttons. I also top-stitched on each fabric in the same color as the corresponding embroidery. 

The inside (the bodice is lined) is a very thin, white cotton with a subtle paisley print from Fabric Mart. As you can see, I went ahead and sewed a bust pad into the lining because the garment is low-cut and white and I didn't want to worry about scavenging for an appropriate bra every time I want to wear it (you know what I'm talking about). Excellent decision. 

As you can see at the top edge of the black bodice, I added a really thin strip of elastic to keep the back and the underarm area from gaping. 

Anyway, I'm really happy with how it came out. 

I included this one just so you could see my dog photobombing me. 

Happy start of summer!