The Helen’s Closet Yanta overalls have been popping up all over the sewing interwebs since the pattern was released, and some of your CSC editors finally got around to sewing them just before the end of summer. Inspired by super cute tester versions from contributors Leanne and Meg, we knew we couldn’t let summer pass us by without some new overalls! We all have a slightly different take on the pattern, but we can all agree that we love this pattern and overalls in general. In fact, this isn’t the first time that Megan and Andie have shared a SPDB for overalls, so you know we are truly committed to the overall trend!
The Yantas come in size 0 to 30, up to a 56″ (142 cm) bust and a 58″ (147.5 cm) hip:
Andie
Measurements: Bust 52 inches | Waist 50 inches | Hips 56 inches
Body Shape: My own
Pattern Size Used: Size 28
Alterations: All I did was add length to the straps so I could use overall closures instead of buttons.
Fabric Used: Non-stretch denim with lurex
Fit: It’s a fairly non-fitted pattern and meant to get on and off without a zipper or buttons so the fit on the hips is fairly loose. I think the fit is pretty good especially given there are no fit modifications.
Changes for Future Versions: For future versions, I’m going to take some length out of the back since the crotch is a bit low, but the front seems to be fine. I was also considering taking it in a bit at the waist, but I enjoy the loose fit so I probably won’t. I will however be narrowing the bib a bit since I find it a bit wide due to my narrow shoulders.
Final Thoughts: This pattern is so comfortable. I love overalls for their comfort! I think the pattern is really great. These are definitely not my last pair. The question is how many pairs of overalls should a person have? Is 500 too much? LOL
Michelle
I last wore overalls in the mid-to-late 90s (think Lilith Fair and Rachel haircut) and was a bit hesitant to jump on the trend this time around. However, after seeing cute version after cute version of the Yantas showing up on Instagram, I decided to take the plunge, and I’m so, so happy that I did because I think they’re totally cute!
Measurements: High Bust – 42″, Bust – 46.5″, Bra Size – 40D/DD, Waist – 42″, Hips – 46″, Height – 5’2″.
Body Shape: My body type is somewhere between a hourglass and rectangle from the front, and an apple from the side.
Pattern Size Used: Size 20 bust/waist blended to a size 18 hip/legs.
Alterations: None. I sewed these straight off the pattern pieces.
Fabric Used: So, um, about that…
I completely fell in love with this particular sample in a striped linen, and I ended up ordering some of the exact same fabric from Blackbird Fabrics so that I could make my own version. It’s sold out now, but for reference, it’s actually a cotton-linen blend. Given that I was so blatantly ripping off the sample from Helen’s Closet, I decided to cheekily sew a “one of a kind” label into my version (label by Kyle and the Machine).
Fit: I’m pretty happy with the fit on these. I knew that there was a lot of ease in the waist (per the finished garment measurements), so I held off from grading up more at the waist. I feel like the 18/20 is the right size combination for me.
Changes for Future Versions: I feel like I should probably scoop out both the front and back crotch just a tad in future versions, as it feels like I could use just a touch more room there. With fall weather finally arriving, I’m chopping at the bit to make a full-length version of these from one of the lightweight corduroys that I have in my stash.
Final Thoughts: This was a super fun pattern to put together–I was amazed at how quickly it came together, and for a pattern that I was worried could be a fitting nightmare, it really didn’t have many “fiddly bits”. If you’re intrigued by the overall craze but a little hesitant or intimidated, this is a very user-friendly, size-inclusive pattern to try out the trend!
Megan
Measurements: High Bust – 42″, Bust – 45″, Waist – 42″, Hips – 53″, Height – 5’6″.
Body Shape: Representing team pear!
Pattern Size Used: Size 22 bust, 24 waist, 26 hips. I did a cheater large booty adjustment by grading out to a 30 at both the front and back crotch curve and inner thigh, back to the 26 at the knee. I also lengthened them one inch.
Alterations: I ended up moving the side seam over 1.5″ at the waist, grading to 1″ through the hip and the rest of the lower leg. That means I removed 3 inches at the waist on each side for a total of 6 inches removed from the waist (and 4 from the hips!). Honestly I was shocked by how much I had to remove, but after that fairly painless adjustment, nothing else was needed. I have seen a couple other people need to take in the Yanta’s, but not that many. I suspect it may be down to fabric choice or perhaps that my “pear” shape is distributed more front to back than it is side to side. Also, I suspect that if I made the shorts version, I would have been happy with the fit as it was, but the full length made the wider leg look quite strange on me.
Fabric Used: Navy Brussels Washer Linen from Hipstitch Albuquerque, buttons from my local quilting and yarn store
Fit: After taking them in a bit, I am SO happy with the fit on these. I normally have horrible drag lines on the back of my pants, and they are often worse with looser fitting pants, so I don’t know what pattern drafting magic was worked here but I couldn’t be happier!
Changes for Future Versions: I would like to try these in a sturdier fabric, and maybe a stretch woven. I think they are so cute, but like Andie I do wonder how many pairs of overalls is too many? Maybe another pair will be in order for next summer.
Final Thoughts: Like Andie and Michelle, I really love these overalls! They are significantly easier to construct than the Ophelia Overalls that Andie and I reviewed back in the spring. I would say that these are a great entry level overall! If you would like to see more photos of my version or more details on my fit alterations, they are over on my blog.
You ladies all did a wonderful job. This pattern has been sitting on my do list for sometime. Time to move it up the sewing priority list. I enjoy the SPDB articles…..sew much inspiration.
I really like what the sewists have done with their versions. I am old enough to have worn overalls in the 1960’s AND the 1990’s! 😂
One suggestion for the community ….. My dressmaker mentor once suggested that placement of back pockets is best done while trying on the constructed overalls (or jeans/pants of any kind)… set too low they can make one look “saggy”. The pockets can always be made smaller or eliminated, also.
Since I have an already saggy butt, I tend to follow her advice=! 😁😁😁
Very cute pattern. I think Megan did the best job with fabric choice, fit, and length. They look very comfy!
Thanks, Mary! I know we are all really happy with our overalls!
Ok, I seriously loved all 3 of these overalls and thanks so much for putting them all into the one post! I’m super inspired now, I’m going to brainstorm to figure out what fabric/colour would suit me now.
Thank you, Marie! I think you will really like them. Its such a fun pattern.