noelle o designs

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altering a jumpsuit
sewing, tutorials

Altering a jumpsuit

Recently I was asked about altering a jumpsuit for some women with a pie baking company.  They always wear jumpsuits to protect their clothing from the messy job of baking. They found Berne jumpsuits to be the closest fitting for women. But they still needed alterations to look more girly and less boxy. Here’s the original jumpsuit, designed for a man:

mens-jumpsuit-front-altering-a-jumpsuit

mens-jump-suit-back-altering-a-jumpsuit

We took width out in the chest area, tapered and shortened the leg length. Here are the step by step instructions on how to alter a jumpsuit.

Steps to altering a jumpsuit:

altering a jumpsuit

Start with the chest area. The armpit seam is the easiest place to begin when altering a jumpsuit or a shirt. While the jumpsuit is on the wearer, mark with safety pins which areas needed taking in and how much. Make sure to have the wearer move around to make sure they can still move comfortably after the changes have been made. Safety pins work better than straight pins because they won’t fall out when the garment is being taken off. Ans safety pins won’t stick into the wearer either.

altering a jumpsuit

Once the markings have been made, use a ruler and chalk to mark the exact amount to be taken in. I measured in at least 3 places. In this case- by the sleeve, the armpit and just above the waist.

altering a jumpsuit

Take note of the measurements- you will need them to mark the other side of the jumpsuit. Also when you turn the jumpsuit inside out and re-mark where the actual sewing and trimming will take place.

altering a jumpsuit

altering a jumpsuit

Once you have taken note of the measurements, remove all of the safety pins.

altering a jumpsuit

Turn the jumpsuit inside out and re-mark with the chalk the previous measurements and where the side seam will be taken in. Do this on both sides of the jumpsuit.

altering-a-jumpsuit-3

Once the markings have been made, flatten out the front and back sides of the jumpsuit. This will insure the existing seams are flat and to avoid any puckering as sewn. Then pin along the chalk line to be stitched.

altering a jumpsuit

Follow the chalk line removing the pins before you sew over them (sewing over pins in very bad for sewing machines!)

Tip:

It’s more important to sew in a nice straight line than it is to follow the chalk lines exactly.

altering a jumpsuit

When you are satisfied that the new side seam is exactly where you want it, trim away the excess fabric, cut so that you leave about 1/4 of an inch of fabric from the new seam.

altering a jumpsuit

If you have a serger, it’s a good idea to serge the new seam to reinforce it and avoid fraying when the jumpsuit is washed.

altering a jumpsuit

If you don’t have a serger, use a zig zag stitch on a regular sewing machine to finish off the new seam.

Tapering the legs at the side seam

altering a jumpsuit

Mark (also with safety pins) where you want the leg width to be at the ankle and also the final hem length.

altering a jumpsuit

Mark with a safety pin, close to the ankle, where you want the pants leg to be tapered. Using the measurement taken on the outside, turn the jumpsuit inside out. Mark that measurement on the inside of the leg in roughly the same spot.

altering a jumpsuit

Using chalk and a ruler, place the top of the ruler at the bottom of the pocket at the existing seam. Place the bottom of the ruler to the marking you made closer to the bottom of the leg. Draw a straight line down.

altering a jumpsuit

Mark on both sides and pin to hold in the layers in place while sewing.

altering a jumpsuit

Sew along the chalk lines, removing the pins right before you get to them.

altering a jumpsuit

Trim off the excess fabric, and serge or zig zag the new edges.

Shortening the leg length

altering a jumpsuit

Move the safety pin marking to the inside of the leg, and mark with a chalk line. In this case, the chalk line represents what we want the the final, finished length to be. Cut the excess length off, leaving 2 inches of fabric below the finish line.

altering a jumpsuit

Remove the safety pin and fold the raw edge over 1/4 of an inch, press flat with an iron.

altering a jumpsuit

Fold the fabric over again until the edge lines up with your final length chalk line. Press flat with an iron and pin into place.

altering a jumpsuit

Sew around the bottom of the pant legs. The raw edge is hidden leaving a nicely finished edge.  Turn the garment right side out and it’s all finished!

Thanks for following along, if you have any questions or comments please pass them on, I would love feedback on this tutorial. Cheers!

 

Looking for another fun project? How about learning how to make a 3 tier skirt. Fun!

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