Faux jumpsuit or PJ's?

Would you wear this outside?

I have this dreamy washed linen in a deep blue teal called “Ocean” and I finally decided to make a pair of summer shorts and breezy cami with it. But I’d never used the patterns (Orchard top and Arden pants from Helen’s Closet) and the fabric seemed too precious to just cut into, so I felt the need to make a set with some leftover fabric to check fit and make sure I actually like the look.

Okay, I had used the pants pattern for a pair of shorts that I was mostly happy with, but I wanted to shorten the inseam and the directions for how to do that were just obtuse enough that with my brain, I wanted to try my adjustment out before committing.

So I found some teal viscose crepe leftovers from Blackbird and set to work cutting it out. I had just enough for the set, so I rejoiced and started sewing. I carefully crafted the front pockets and front seams, the back pockets and back seams! Then I got to the crotch seam. And indeed, the thing I was worried about happening had happened — I had adjusted my shorts inseams from my previous attempt, but the front and the back inseams were not the same length. When I pulled out the modified pattern pieces, I saw what I had done and had that moment where you realize your project is actually ruined. It wasn’t a matter of just cutting one side shorter because of how the hems are shaped, so I thought it couldn’t be salvaged. So sad! Such a waste of time! And oh, even though it was leftovers, I really liked that teal crepe. But at least I hadn’t done it in my special linen. I balled up the unfinished project and put it in a corner.

Then I went to sleep.

And when I woke up, I thought about doing tiny hems. It worked! And I fixed my pattern piece so next time I won’t have that same problem.

I sewed up the top to match and now I’m back to the original question — is this a faux summer jumpsuit or PJ’s only? The set is so soft and flowy I kind of want to wear it all the time. Maybe adding a chambray button-up makes it more like actual clothes?

Andrea is wearing a matching set of shorts and flowing cami in deep teal viscose crepe fabric.

Andrea smiling with hands in her shorts pocket. Her outfit looks like a teal shorts jumpsuit with a grey chambray button-up over top.

Andrea from the back with one hand in the pocket of some teal shorts. Her matching camisole is very draping and her racerback bra straps are visible.

Andrea from the side in teal shorts and a grey chambray button-up

Back view of Andrea wearing an oversized grey chambray button-up with short teal shorts.

me-Made Outfit Details

My measurements are
- Bust: 31”
- Waist: 26”
- Hips: 37.5”
Top: I combined sizes 2 & 4 for the Orchard tank and took out a lot of the volume at the hem so it wouldn’t be quite so wide at the bottom. It fits me pretty much like my Ogdens.
I decided to try adjustable straps since I almost always have to change strap length on these kinds of tops and I thought that would be an easier way to figure it out than sewing straps and trying to adjust after. Maybe I was right, but I found the ring situation to be so finicky! I’ve made lots of bras and haven’t had so much trouble before, but the straps were pretty thick, especially because they were interfaced, so it was hard to get them through the rings. Plus, fabric straps are not as easy to work with as bra strapping because even with the thick interfacing, they fold in on themselves if you’re not careful. But now I know how long to make my straps in the future so I don’t have to deal with that again!
I like having Orchard as an alternative to Ogden because the bound edges mean it’s just one layer rather than the 2-layer Ogden facing. Both look good, in my opinion, so it’ll probably be just my mood which one I make in the future.
Shorts: I made a straight size 10 again in the Arden shorts, but shortened my inseam to 3.5”, then shortened them some more so I could do 1/4” hems. I didn’t measure how long they ended up.
Button-up: Cornell by Elbe Textiles, size AA in a grey cotton/hemp chambray. I think I got the fabric from Blackbird, but I frankly don’t remember. The buttons are Merchant & Mills paper buttons that I bought from Simplifi Fabric.

And as for the ocean-y linen

I think I’m actually going to make a pair of Lander pants out of it cause do I really need two teal shorts/cami sets? (I mean, maybe I actually do.) But of course, I’ll have to try Lander out in another fabric first to make sure, right? Does anyone else do this?

Have you been following Me-Made May?

It’s so much more about sewing than knitting and I’m very sporadic in sharing my outfits, but I think it’s so fun seeing what folks have made for themselves! Every year it reminds me to take some pictures of those clothes I worked so hard on!