Ummm, I have an exciting little bonus blog post to share with you this week.

And…

IT’S YET ANOTHER JUMPSUIT!!

The Camille Jumpsuit, to be precise!

A little while ago, I was very honoured to be invited to test out a pattern for  Sew Over It’s My Capsule Wardrobe: Work to Weekend eBook.

Which has now just been released –  so I can share this Camille Jumpsuit with you!

What’s an eBook?

The concept underlying this book is pretty self-explanatory. Here is how Sew Over It puts it: “Our My Capsule Wardrobe: Work to Weekend eBook collection contains five perfect patterns to take you seamlessly through the week. With chic office options alongside laidback weekend looks, each pattern can be made smart or casual simply by changing up the fabric and the accessories you wear with it.”  It includes 5 patterns, each with their own variations, and which are all very much interchangeable.

I have seen quite a lot of love out there for some of the patterns in Sew Over It’s first ‘My Capsule Wardrobe’ eBook, the City Break one, including the Erin Skirt, which I adore! So I was more than happy to test out a pattern from the latest instalment in the My Capsule Wardrobe eBook series.

But, here’s a little confession. Since I had only ever bought sewing books in hard copy format, I wasn’t really sure what to expect with an eBook.

What do you actually get when you buy an eBook?

(Although, by way of full disclosure, as a pattern tester I received my copy of the eBook for free)

Well, in my opinion, the eBook itself has a little bit of a magazine-like feel to it. It introduces the theme of the book, as well as introducing each of the patterns. Each pattern includes a description, some fabric ideas and loads of inspiring photos. Then, here’s the best part, you get the complete downloads of all the five patterns. You receive the downloads in both assemble-at-home and copy shop versions, together with the downloadable instructions.

Basically, you get exactly the same files as if you had brought a regular PDF pattern for all five patterns which are featured in the eBook. Then you get the book itself which, in my opinion, is a bit like an elaborate inspiration brochure for the patterns!

Camille Jumpsuit

I pattern tested the Camille Jumpsuit, sewing version 1, described as the ‘office power dressing’ variation. My version is a size 12 at the bust and hips, graded out to a size 14 at the waist.

I made mine up in this gorgeous Italian worsted suiting wool from Fabworks Mill. As you can see, I was definitely channelling some Autumn vibes with this one. I guess after developing a newly-found jumpsuit addiction this summer, I wanted to make sure I’d have an Autumn/Winter jumpsuit available too!

Now, I figure there’s not a whole lot of point in going in to all the construction details as I usually do, since there may have been some tweaks made to the pattern since the version that I tested.

My overall experience was that the pattern came with high quality and accurate instructions which made it an enjoyable experience to sew. It has a number of features I really liked. The pleated bodice and its wrap neckline are just lovely and very satisfying to sew!

In the end, I  found version 1 perhaps a little too ‘office power dressing’ for my personal style preferences at the moment. But it’s also perhaps my fabric choice which led to this result. In a floatier fabric  (as recommended by Sew Over It), I can see that the vibe would be  different!

I did make a few adjustments to my own version of the Camille Jumpsuit, adding in some extra room in the crotch rise. This is often necessary for me with jumpsuits. I also had to size up my sleeves to get them to fit (again a pretty standard adjustment for me, all my chocolate bars go directly to my upper arms!).

In making the Camille Jumpsuit again, I would size up the entire leg, as my version didn’t come out quite as wide-legged as I had expected. My finished garment measurements came out, in the end, quite a bit smaller than they were supposed to be according to the finished measurement chart, so it would seem human error is to blame!

Oh, and my final fun adjustment was the addition of slash pockets. Because I can’t resist the allure of pockets!

More Work to Weekend

Now that the book has been released and I have access to all the patterns in it, there are definitely a few I’m eager to try. The Kate Dress seems lovely. It reminds me of a more detailed cousin of the much-loved Penny Dress. But with the added bonus that its possible to sew as either a dress or as a skirt + shirt combo for added versatility. The Anna Coat, a classic-style Mac, is also lovely!

I also really appreciate the overall theme of this book. In my day job, I’m a lawyer and I sometimes find it difficult to source office-appropriate patterns to sew. After all, there’s only so many dresses one can wear (really? I’m even doubting myself now that I’ve written that sentence…).

The versality of this book and the acknowledgement that we can make handmade clothes to wear to the office and not just for ‘fun’ strikes me as a reflection of the maturity and growth that the online sewing community has experienced.

Now, I’m just waiting to see which indie pattern designer will be the first to release a classic yet modern full-blown suit, to help me on those days when I have no choice but to actually ‘dress like a lawyer!’

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.