Well hello comrades!
How are you all? I’ve been down and out in my flat with tonsillitis which sucks but I kept sewing throughout apart from one day where it got so bad I was in a state of hallucinating fever and couldn’t breathe let alone sew… hi di ho! I am getting through my sewing to do list which got crazy long over the last few weeks so without further ado, I introduce to you something to wear onstage… a crazy contrast leotard!
I’m so excited to share this make because it is, quite frankly, one beast of a garment! It also marries together two things that I’ve fallen in love with – spandex fabrics and a brilliant indie pattern!
The Fabric…
Is from the amazing funkifabrics who got in touch to do a collaboration. I was over the moon as I have have seen their incredible spandex pop up in some brilliant sewing blogs and they kindly let me have some lycra of my choice in return of a blog post – that’s a win win for me – I get to try a completely new fabric and do something completely different and awesome to wear on stage -yay! Thankyou funkifabrics!! The moment I started looking through their site and extensive range of prints I knew I wanted to make a double sided leotard to wear with poofy skirts and as circus is my thang – the cards and harlequin print jumped out at me. Within a day they were in my lap and I squealed with delight – I FREAKING LOVE them! Their fabrics are very high quality – they are soft, have a great stretch rebound, cut, sew and press well.
Luckily I also have 1m of this fabric to make something with too…
But what should I make?! Another Nettie for stage or something completely different?! YOU DECIDE! (I literally can’t – awful at decsions, me!)
The Pattern…
This Nettie bodysuit pattern by the brilliant indie designer, Closet Case Patterns has also been on my sewing blog radar for a while and I have been meaning to make one in a soft black or stripey jersey to wear with trousers and skirts as an everyday outfit but OH NO Nettie was BORN to be onstage- on my back…
But seriously I do love Nettie – when I was looking for a pattern to match the incredible fabrics I was finding it quite a challenge to be A)For an adult B)To not be from the 80s with added turtleneck or peplum skirt… basically they were all a bit yucky but then – like a lighbulb turning on in my head- I had a eureka moment and realised it was time for a Nettie party and she didn’t disappoint!
It’s not my best sew, if we have to get all technical – I have already have to sew up a hole that appeared the moment I squeezed it on (might go for a size up next time – it’s not too small but it’s tricky to pull on). My twin needle top stitching is good in some places, some… not so much! I used an overlocker for the seams but basted on the sewing machine as well and did a lot of unpicking after – unfortunately some of these stitches got stuck and can be seen from the outside – if you don’t look up close though it’s great… especially don’t look for the sleeve where I got a bit carried away and serged a hole into the shoulder – oops! 😉
I also will never show you the bit that connects the crotch with poppers because it is an utter mess – I literally can’t hand sew – it is so hard. I actually gave up on hand sewing the poppers and spent ages getting the zig zag stitch to do it for me instead! 😉
I will show just one picture of the whole thing – the main reason I will do this is I couldn’t find a single picture online on the bottom part of Nettie and wanted to know what it would turn out like before I bought it so I will risk my modesty to let others know what it looks like – luckily the bottom part is very flattering and comfortable! I have tights on so don’t feel too exposed but don’t expect pics of my thighs to ever pop up again! *terrified*
So that’s it for me and my thighs! Do tell me what you think I should make with my last bit of Funkifabric – I’m itching to get started! And let me know what you are up to – sewing anything nice?! Are you getting involved with House Of Pinheiro’s #SewPhotoHop on instagram? I’m loving it and meeting lots of lovely new sewing folk – all so inspiring! Find me here on instagram – I’m a bit addicted!
Okey dokey it’s getting pretty late here and Hobbes is kicking me to go to bed – I must do what the dog says -it’s the law.
Love and LYRCAAAAAAA!!!
Absolutely stunning……just like you!
I love it! It IS the perfect pattern for these fabrics, and the prints work so well together.
That back neckline runs perfectly.
Handstitching & spandex sounds like a nightmare combination anyways. It is not the kind of fabric that’s going to work with you, rather against you.
Get well soon with the tonsilitis. Best wishes!
=^x^=
Hi Gabs! This is one awesome leotard its so funky perfect for your gigs love the playing cards it remind me of alice in wonderland xx
I really like this bodysuit – Especially the prints fitting so good together! :)Such a pity I can’t see you wearing your outfit onstage. Love the combination with the skirt, the belt and the hat.
Get well soon! 🙂