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Making it ease-y
Alison Smith MBE shares her expert guide to adding ease to a jumpsuit
One of the cover patterns this month is the fabulous Butterick B6779 dress and jumpsuit. Have you made a jumpsuit yet? It is a very versatile garment. Many jumpsuit patterns are designed for stretch fabrics, but this pattern is designed for wovens. With woven fabric, the fit through the back length and crotch seam is crucial; otherwise the jumpsuit will be very uncomfortable to sit down and move around in. So let me show you how to adjust your pattern to achieve a comfortable fit.
When we sit, trousers naturally pull down a bit at the centre back, but depending on the cut of the trouser, you may not even notice it. The slimmer and tighter the leg, the more the trouser centre back will pull down because, when we sit, our bottom and thighs spread and take up more fabric. With a jumpsuit, the centre back trouser waist is attached to the back bodice. If there is not enough ease in the back seam from the nape of the neck to the inside leg seam, the jumpsuit will be uncomfortable. So how much ease is required?