A pair of Zadie Jumpsuits

OK, so this is a sewing pattern needing no introduction – the sewist’s darling, the Zadie Jumpsuit by Paper Theory.

It’s been more than a year since I made my first Zadie Jumpsuit and swore there would be more.

Zadie Jumpsuit by Paper Theory Patterns in Chambray Linen from The Fabric Store

I still love my first Zadie Jumpsuit and it is still going strong. It is definitely that garment that each time I put it on, I think “damn I love this jumpsuit”.

It makes me feel so good and put together, but still so darn comfy.

It’s a little bit my idea of sewing perfection.

So, what’s a woman to do, but make a couple more!

Alterations second time around

Usually sewing a pattern for the second time presents a good opportunity to tweak a few things to make the fit even better (assuming, of course, that, like me, you didn’t make a muslin!). I am pleased to report that I really didn’t feel that there was much to change on the Zadie jumpsuit.

My first version has streteched out a bit at the neckline over time, meaning that, now, to ensure decency, I need to wear a tank underneath it. To try to combat this in my latest versions, I pinched out a little bit of the neckline in the bust area.

I could perhaps have gone even further with my pinching. Only time will tell…

My original Zadie Jumpsuit is a size 12. As it still fits fine, I used those size 12 pattern pieces I already had as my base, but I did add in an extra centimetre or so from the hips down, as I have gone up at least one size since I made the first version and that is the area where I need the most extra room.

Just a cautionary note, when I first made the Zadie Jumpsuit, I already sized down from what was recommended for my body measurements and those body measurements have only increased since then.

Which means that the versions you see here are more slim-fitting, containing less ease than what you will end up with if you follow the body measurement charts included with the pattern.

Nani Iro Statement Zadie Jumpsuit

OK, so let’s get into these new versions, right?

I’ve been toying with the idea of a “statement” Zadie Jumpsuit for while and I’ve also been eager to try out the sleeves that come with the pattern for the first time.

When I saw this Nani Iro Waltz Double Gauze, I knew it was the one. I got mine from Meter Meter. It’s definitely a bolder shade of blue than my usual navy or pastel, but isn’t that kind of the point of a statement piece?

I really have a weak spot for Nani Iro prints.

As I’ve continued on my sewing journey, I find myself leaving prints more and more behind and focusing on solids (stripes count as solids, right?).

But Nani Iro prints are the exception to this rule. I just can’t resist them. I often adore the colour schemes and the way that they play with colour and texture.

I’m also very drawn to their capacity to often appear both geometric and inspired by nature, as well as the often large-scale employed. There is also often a border print element which is one of my favourite things!

In other words, it’s often everything I love in a printed textile and I’ve developed a bit of a habit of making Nani Iro feature items!

Below you can see a testament to my Nani Iro adoration: Carolyn Pyjamas by Closet Core Patterns, Saraste Shirt Dress by Named, Kalle Shirt by Closet Core Patterns, Lois Dress by Tessuti, Kabuki tee by Paper Theory and the Bondi Dress by Tessuti.

I’m pretty sure there are more Nani Iro makes that I’m currently forgetting too!

And, now, it’s time to add this Nani Iro Zadie Jumpsuit to the collection!

One thing I often find when sewing with Nani Iro fabric is that it is both very expensive and very narrow, so I tend to buy as little as I think is possible to make the final garment. Which means that I often find myself without the freedom I would have preferred for pattern placement.

With the Zadie Jumpsuit, I really had just barely enough and wasn’t able to exercise much choice in terms of placement at all. My pockets are made out of a different fabric, with a little bit of Nani Iro topstitched onto the visible part, so I really was scraping the bottom of the fabric barrel with this one.

Oh and the bias binding is made up of about 7 small strips pieces together from the scraps!

The sewing up of this Zadie Jumpsuit was all straight forward. This was my first time with the sleeves and, I must say, that I find them a tad too short and will probably lengthen them an inch or so next time around. I still have a bit of an idea of a long-sleeved wintery wool Zadie Jumpsuit floating around in my head, so we’ll have to see if that can ever come to fruition.

Apart from that, well, I think I’ve pretty much achieved what I set out to do: it’s certainly a statement!

Striped Zadie Jumpsuit

This second new Zadie Jumpsuit wasn’t actually planned at all.

But I saw this fabric from Meter Meter and couldn’t resist.

You may have already seen the same striped linen as my Vogue 9253 from earlier this summer.

I’d been undecided as to whether to make the blue toned version of the fabric, which I bought first, into a dress or a jumpsuit. I solved that dilemma by buying it in a second colourway.

Something about this fabric was just screaming Zadie Jumpsuit to me and, well, I was happy to oblige.

Apart from the modifications described above, I also added a small cuff cut on the bias to this Zadie Jumpsuit, the same as I did in my first ever version.

I feel that it really finishes off the short sleeved version and I especially love how the diagonal stripe play on both the neck binding and cuff look on this version.

Apart from this, this one is pretty much all the same as above, so I don’t have much else to say except to offer a bit of a photo dump to embrace the #imnot2d vibe!

Long live Queen Zadie!

I think that pretty much sums it up.

Oh and, finally, a little P.S! If you like to get your blog hits through Bloglovin’, feel free to follow me over there: you can find me here. And you can find me on Instagram here.

9 thoughts on “A pair of Zadie Jumpsuits

  1. They look awesome! I adore pretty much everything they release at Nani Iro, but it’s way out of my budget. I feel like their prints are shown-off best in big garments, and that would eat up my paycheck pretty fast… 🙁

  2. I was looking for a great project from my childhood to pick back up on. Thank you. I have an empty nest now, so no excuses. I really love your clothes, relaxed,versatile for real living. I would love to purchase

    1. Sewing is the best project of all in my humble opinion! And the fact that you can make it suit your lifestyle is even better! Good luck on your journey!

    1. Sorry, no idea! Made these quite a while ago. In my experience though paper theory’s fabric recommendations are usually accurate – they don’t overestimate as they try to eliminate wastage

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