These patterns are “basic” for sure, but in a good way. In a sewing world that’s maybe a bit hyper on sugar at the moment, it feels good to sew up something that fits into my wardrobe like that corner puzzle piece you’ve been spending way too long searching for.
Oh whoops, I’m mixing metaphors there.
The point is that the Anya and Tara Basics, two new pattern sets from Joann at Pipe Dream Patterns, have been heartily welcomed into my wardrobe. I’m a big fan of bodysuits, especially when the weather gets cool and Belgium gets windy. A skin-tight layer is a great way to stay warm, plus I find them easy to wear. With jeans, skirts, pinafores, or underneath and unseen under any other outfit I’m wearing, it all works well.
Both patterns offer you three different garments (a bodysuit, shirt, and dress) and two neckline variations, so you have six possible combinations with each pattern.
I tested these patterns for Joann a couple months ago, and both of these are still in constant rotation for me, especially the Tara. The long sleeves keep me warm, and the swooped cowl neck is a nice detail. When the weather warms up in Belgium (in several months) then I’ll break out my Anya from underneath all the layers I usually wear on top of it and show off that low scooped back!
My versions do indeed seem pretty (ahem, very) basic, but checking out some of the other test versions, it’s easy to see how simple it could be to create something stunning. Cortney’s velvet versions were so beautiful!
As far as construction went, there’s really not much to say about a knit bodysuit, especially because I used a serger for most of it. The legs are finished with picot elastic, which I’m getting quite handy with applying after my little marathon of lingerie sewing last month. I went a bit rogue with attaching the cowl neck, but the instructions for it have been clarified in the final version. (That’s the best part of being a pattern tester, I screw up so that you don’t have to!) Luckily, the error is mostly unnoticeable on my version, so I still feel comfortable wearing it all the time out in public.
When I make these again (not if, definitely when), I will size down. I made the (black) Anya first and chose a Large based on my waist measurement (which is around 77cm these days). It fits fine (although looking at the photos, it looks a bit loose and my bra strap is very stubbornly poking out), but I went down to a Medium for the (grey) Tara and liked it better. After I turned in my testing notes, Joann told me she assumed I would’ve made a Small or even XS! Duh, I wasn’t taking into the account the pattern ease when I chose sizes, so yes, I can probably go down another size for a tighter fit (which, for a bodysuit, is what I’m after).
What about you, are you a fan of bodysuits? I’ve also previously made a couple Nettie bodysuits (including ones with a turtleneck added!), but I know some people are a solid NO when it comes to bodysuits!