The jumpsuit trend has been going strong in the sewing community for several years (if not more) at this point. I’ve been intrigued by them for a while, but when with me being short (5’2″) and curvy, sewing my own jumpsuit felt like a potential recipe for disaster. However, as I started seeing more and more fabulous looking photos of the Deer & Doe Sirocco jumpsuit appearing on Instagram, it seemed like the perfect time to take the plunge and tie it in with the #Sewcialists #SewBrave challenge.
I am so happy that I pushed my comfort zone with this–I couldn’t be happier with how my jumpsuit turned out. And given that I made it up in a super soft Art Gallery Knit, it truly is like wearing Secret Pajamas. (I’ve also gotten a ton of compliments on it when I’ve worn it out in public.)
Pattern Name
Size Range (with measurements):
Deer and Doe, unfortunately, does not have a terribly curve-inclusive size range, which I’ve long found frustrating, given that they’ve always had some very cute and unique designs that aren’t available elsewhere. A little while back, they did extend their range to include three additional sizes at the upper end of their range (French sizes 48-52) via PDF only. Deer & Doe drafts for a C-cup bust.
What size did you make?
I started with a size 50 at the shoulders/chest, blended to a size 52 at the bust and waist, and then graded back down to a size 50 at the hips/seat.
What are your measurements, height, and body type? (If reviewing a top or dress, bra size is very helpful for our readers.)
My current measurements are as follows:
- High bust: 42″ (106.7 cm)
- Full bust: 46″ (124.5 cm)
- Waist: 42.5″ (108 cm)
- Hip: 46″ (118 cm)
- Height: 5’2″ (157.5 cm)
- Bra Size: 38DD/40D
My body type is somewhere between a hourglass and rectangle from the front, and an apple from the side.
What adjustments did you make and how long did they take?
Other than the previously mentioned blending of sizes, I shortened the legs of the pants by 4″, mostly at the lengthen-shorten line. I also added a self-fabric facing to the waistband to add more support in that area. That’s it!
Note that I did some pin-fitting on this garment as I went along, but outside of removing length for my short legs, I didn’t make any additional adjustments.
What fabric did you use?
I used an 95% cotton/5% spandex Art Gallery knit jersey that I purchased in-person at Bolt Fabric Boutique on a trip to Portland, OR last year.
What was the construction process like? Did the instructions make sense to you?
This pattern goes together amazingly quickly. If you can sew a wrap dress, you can sew this jumpsuit. I did not run into any drafting errors or issues with the instructions.
In fact, the instructions introduced a new-to-me method of adding a pocket stay to slash pockets–using clear elastic to keep the pocket openings from stretching out. It seems amazingly common sense, but I’d never seen it before, and my pockets have been holding their shape pretty well.
How do you like the pattern’s fit? Do you think the design works well for your particular body shape?
I actually really love the fit. I was a little skeptical as to how this pattern/pattern company would work for me, given their limited size range, but I think it worked out just fine. Honestly, if you check the #DDSirocco tag on Instagram, this jumpsuit seems to look great on everyone, regardless of body type.
Will you make the pattern again? If so, what fit or design changes will you make?
I am definitely making this again. I’d like one in a solid color, and I also want to try the romper view. From seeing the back view, I think I need to shorten the back waist length a touch, but that’s probably it.
Do you have any advice on this pattern for other curvy sewers? Are there any resources (blog posts, fitting books, tutorials) that helped you sew this piece up?
If you’ve been tempted by this pattern but are afraid that you’re too short, too curvy, or too whatever, don’t hesitate to give it a try! The worst case scenario is that you’ll end up with a stylish set of pajamas!
Overall pattern rating
Size Range (1-5): 2.5 — Deer & Doe’s extended sizing falls right on the border between our “2” and “3” score. See our new standardized size range ranking for how this rating was chosen.
Instructions (1-5): 5 — The instructions were very thorough. I think that this pattern would be very doable for an Advanced Beginner or ambitious Beginner.
Construction Process (1-5): 5 —The construction process for my jumpsuit went very smoothly.
Final Fit (1-5): 5 — I am very happy with the final fit of my garment.
Overall Rating (1-5) + Explanation: 4.4 — Average score of all scores. This is a great pattern that could be even better if it had more inclusive sizing.
You look amazing! I love the fabric and the fit!
LOVE your hair and the jumpsuit is just too lovely . You look sooooo happy.
Well Michelle! You’ve done it again. Many times a pattern that looks great on you for some reason also looks great on me. For no known reason as we have different body shapes , different height and certainly a different age demographic. What can I say. I’m going for it. Just bought it. I have the perfect print pattern. I just checked out a number of other reviews. I am going to add some to the torso length. Here we go!
Aw, thank you! And I really do think that it’s an ageless pattern. I didn’t add length to the torso, but I’m also only 5’2″.
Well Michelle! I made 2 of them in the last 2 days. One with a large print and one out of a heavier plain knit. I added 1” torso length to the first one. I also did my forward shoulder adjustment. That’s it. It is a rather magical pattern in my view. It would be a great breast feeding outfit. Not that I need that at 66 years old. It looks great on and the proportions are excellent. I look tall and skinny. Indeed magical. Lol.
Wow! Fantastic fabric choice. You look amazing.
Thanks!
Interesting post. Thank-you for giving us the information. Not everyone needs to say “It looks wonderful”. Maybe a smaller print would look better.
Personally, I think the size of the print absolutely makes the jumpsuit look amazing on Michelle.
Me too, Aless! A smaller print may have looked busier, or she might have rocked that one as well! I love the colour, the fit and the print! Thank you for this!
Thank you for your feedback, Donna. I hope you are having a wonderful long weekend!
You look absolutely AMAZING,Michelle!! I think this is one of THE best jumpsuit photos I’ve seen on ANYONE. Well done,you!!
Thanks! I’ll admit that I skipped the muslin and did a lot of pin-fitting with this one, but at each stage that I tried it on, I was like, “Wow, is this going to look as good finished as I think it will?” So yeah, I have a few more versions planned for this pattern!
Wow!! What a fantastic make!! The fabric is glorious and you look fantastic!!! I’m a little confused about the sizing on the pattern, why are the finished waist measurements 3 inches smaller than the pattern size? That’s a lot of negative ease!!
It is and it isn’t a lot of negative ease… It’s a knit, and the pattern specifies at least 60% stretch, so I think that’s part of it. If you’ll look at the various versions on IG, everyone’s waist is cinched in and looking pretty hourglass-ish–I suspect that the negative ease/small belt has a lot to do with that.
Looks really great on you… fit, fabric and pattern!
Thanks!!!
You look amazing! That color is great on you! It looks so comfortable and honestly very high-end and chic. I haven’t really been tempted by the jumpsuit trend (just doesn’t seem practical), but some of the finished products and patterns I’ve seen of late are to my style than most of the ones I saw when the trend first started taking off some odd years ago (also didn’t really like the RTW ones at that time either). You are really inspiring me to reconsider the jumpsuit and to go back and check out Deer and Doe’s stuff. I haven’t swung by their patterns in a while. Thanks for the post. Everything about your pictures here is gorgeous and gives me the happies! Thanks!
love your fabric choice – you look fabulous
Holy cow! You look amazing in this! We’re the same measurements, so I always get inspired by your sewing. Now I want to try this.
I think it would look fantastic on you. It’s not necessarily the vintage look that you usually sew, but I think the pattern’s silhouette would suit you nicely. 🙂
This looks fantastic on you! The combination of style and fabric is
I love jumpsuits, but for the last few years I have had a medical condition that makes it imperative that I can get out of pants quickly in the bathroom. That usually rules out jumpsuits for me. But this one looks like it doesn’t have fastenings. Do you just step into it and pull it up (which would mean that you just slip your arms out and pull it down)? My height and measurements are almost exactly the same as yours, so I could hope it would look good on me too.
Yup, it’s a surplice/faux-wrap bodice. No closures. It’s been quite easy to pull down/pull up when I’ve needed to use the bathroom while wearing it.
This is really cute on you! A winner!!!
Thank you!!!
Michelle, you look amazing in this print!
Aw, thanks! I love the print, too! I’d been hoarding this fabric for a year until the “right” pattern came along.
This looks SO GOOD on you!!! I have been avoiding jumpsuits mostly because I hate having to get completely undressed to go pee. But when I have tried to make one in the past, it just looked TERRIBLE on me because of my shape. You are making me actually consider trying this pattern…
Aw, thank you! I think that the key with jumpsuits is having the proportions right and/or having the waist hit you in a good spot. I’ve tried on a few RTW ones from Old Navy that have looked awful on me… But I’ve also tried on (and ended up purchasing) a couple from Loft’s new-ish Plus line that were really cute when I tried them on.
You did a fabulous job with that jumpsuit. Love the fabric and it looks great on you.
A winner!
Thank you so much!
What a fantastic make! It looks great on you, you look great in it, and it is beautiful to boot. Congratulations!
Thank you!!!
You look AMAZING in this!
Question – did you have to do any waist adjustments? I see that you’re technically past their waist measurement (as am I) but you didn’t mention any changes beyond grading out to the largest size at the waist. Is there a lot of ease in the waist?
The only waist adjustment thath I made was to grade to the size 52 for the bust/waist. With the jumpsuit being made out of a knit, I knew that I had some wiggle room with negative ease, as far as the waist measurement went.
You look gorgeous!!! I am thinking about this pattern for weeks but was really afraid to give it a try because I was 50 in measurements, probably 52 at the waist. But I now will give it a try.
Thank you so much for your encouragement!!
Aw, thank *you*! I really do think that this pattern suits a lot of shapes and sizes!
This is lovely and looks beautiful on – great job! It has given me the incentive to try to sew a jumpsuit – something that I thought I would never ever try!
Thanks–I love hearing that! You can always make a muslin in a cheapo knit first, as a baby step. 🙂
That is one stunning jumpsuit! And you look stunning too!
Thank you so much!
I love the way it fits you and the encouragement you give to others to try it!
I always love seeing what you make. I am built slot like you and have similar measurements. My full bust is slightly larger however. This is one the most attractive garments you have made in my opinion!! I want to make but my measurements fall outside the upper mist size.
5’2”
Full bust 50
Underbust (high waist) 44”
Upper bust 42”)
Waist 41”
Hips 46”
Any suggestions on sizing would be appreciated
Thanks
Brigitte
You look great in this
Thanks!
You look incredible in this jumpsuit! Maybe it’s the full-length print, but I think it makes you look taller.
I, too, finally gave in to the jumpsuit/ romper trend, and am in the middle of a M4M Sierra romper. I can only hope to be as happy with the finished garment as you should be with yours. Beautiful!
One of the things that drew me to this pattern was the fact that it made everyone who posted theirs on IG look like they had legs that were a mile long. I think it’s the waist placement that does that. But yeah, I feel like it does make me look taller, and that’s one of the things that I love about it.
WOW!!!! It looks fantastic on you. I totally fell in love with this pattern when it was released, then got too annoyed at the sizing to buy it… but damn you are making me want it! <3
I’ve been annoyed at Deer & Doe’s size range for ages and frankly, I refused to buy any of their patterns until recently because of it, but I finally took the plunge with the Sirocco PDF…and I’ll admit that I ordered two more of their PDF patterns as soon as I was done with the Sirocco.
On a similar note, my success with this has finally given me the confidence to try the Closet Case Sallie that I’ve owned for ages–I’ve decided that I want to live in knit jumpsuits as much as possible!