Saturday, January 10, 2009

It's All About the Body!

The Hot Patterns Body Suit reminds me of a body suit I wore in 7th grade. The virtue of this 'suit' is that I can wear it under low cut waistbands, and the skin will not show! (The HotPatterns people say it helps avoid the dreaded "muffin top" but I disagree...it does not "avoid" the muffin - just covers it!)

Below are two of my versions.

Note! I'm EDITING this on January 11, to answer some your questions about the crotch snaps and overall comfort level when wearing this.

I find these very comfortable to wear, and I have to say that when I made the first one, I was doing it on a lark...I really didn't expect it to be that comfortable. BUT, they ARE comfortable, and I think the following is why:

I installed the snaps so that the 'nipple' of the snaps are pointing away from my body. Also, the pattern is designed so that the snap closure is toward the back...and there is no way to put this delicately...the snaps are right under where the cleft of the butt cheeks begin. Since there is a natural hollow in the body there, I find that this placement is super comfortable. At no time do I feel the snaps when wearing.

I sewed the snaps in. I did not use snap tape because the only tape I could find was cotton twill, and thick. I even checked out the garment district in NYC looking for softer snap tape. I did find some, but the snaps were very large. And the other tape I found, at a 'dance wear' notions place, was hook and eye. That would have worked, but I wanted to use snaps. The first version had five snaps, and it was a PITA to sew all the snaps on. So the next version used only three (larger) snaps, and that worked well.

To help me hold the snaps in place while sewing, I used "505" temporary adhesive spray. I just put it on the back of the snaps, then placed them where I wanted. It worked very well.

The "boy" short bottom does not ride up, even in my tight fitting low cut jeans. Part of the reason for this is the way I installed the leg elastic. At a 1:1 ratio at the front of the leg, then stretching slightly in the crotch area, then stretching a LOT under the butt cheek, where it meets the leg. This creates a 'cup' and is comfortable, and the leg does not ride up.

I hope this additional info helps!

11 comments:

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Nice! Do you wear them under suits? And do they have the snap at the crotch like regular bodysuits? Oh and one more, what do you use for the snaps? Snap tape or individual snaps?

cidell said...

Oooooh. I remember bodysuits from high school. They were great for jeans. Always nice and tucked in. These, are awesome! Thanks for the peak!

Stitcherella said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shannon said...

Looks great! I love the idea of bodysuits, but in reality, I can't stand the feel of the snaps at the crotch. But, maybe I was just wearing the wrong bodysuits - how is the comfort level with yours?

Alexandra said...

They look very nice and the convenience factor is huge. But how comfortable are they?

Kitty Couture said...

These look great! I have this pattern, and *have* to make it this year. I loved bodysuits "back in the days". (geez, sometimes I feel old!)
Thank you for this very useful review!

Lisette M said...

I don't have fond memories of my bodysuits back in the day but yours look wonderful and comfortable.

Liana said...

Wow, these look great! I remember these in junior high. The first and only time I wore low-rise jeans. :)

Jean said...

I hopped over from Carolyn's blog, you might want to check out the snap tape that is made for making baby clothes! It's pretty pliable although the snaps are pretty small too. Just a thought!

Gorgeous Things said...

I love that diagonal print one especially! I made this top when it first came out. When I have some free time (as if!) I want to make it again.

Nancy Winningham said...

I have this and haven't made it yet. Thanks for the tips on the elastic. I will have to try it. Yours look great by the way.

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