Bodysuits & Marilyn Moments

Nettie bodysuit | Cloth Habit

I’m really enjoying the start of summer, which normally brings on a small amount of worry. How will I make it through the furnace without losing my mind? Instead, I’m thinking about all the things I crave in summer that I don’t other times of the year. Like cucumber sandwiches. Smoothies. Inventive cocktails with big ice cubes. According to my crafty drink-making friends big square ice cubes are the rage right now. They take forever to melt and a pleasurable texture on a hot day.

Nettie bodysuit | Cloth Habit

So I have a confession to make–this is the second day in a row that I’ve worn this outfit. And it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done something like this in hopes of getting a good blog picture. My blogging vanity has gotten the better of me! I’m not the best photoshoot planner in the world, and don’t often plan my posts ahead of time so if I miss an opportunity, I’ll wear it again, darnit! On the first day, by the time the sun started to go down I set everything up and my timer went missing. It’s too hard to take selfies without a timer.

On the second day, I had a friend to help but the wind was outrageous. This turned out to be rather fun because it makes the skirt a whole personality of its own. You may recognize this as the Megan Nielson Cascade skirt, which I made last summer and wish I had about 10 more because it’s just so light and easy. Second confession: I had more than one Marilyn Monroe moment while wearing this in the wind. Like, full on Marilyn with the skirt flipping up to my waist, one time in the grocery parking lot. Thank goodness there was a bodysuit underneath!

Nettie bodysuit | Cloth Habit

Nettie bodysuit | Cloth Habit

This is the fun Nettie bodysuit, a pattern by my gal Heather Lou of Closet Case Files. When she asked me to test the pattern I happily obliged even though I have mile long list of sewing-relating things going on lately! It’s my pleasure to support her patterns–and I don’t need much encouraging to when it comes to anything remotely lingerie-inspired. I’m totally sold on the merits of a bodysuit. I like sleek and all purpose basics that cross the lines of lingerie. I love them because they’re comfortable and easy and secretly letting me be a bit sloppy wtihout looking like it.

Heather was onto my game, and I love that she made options for super skin-showing deep backs. It has only been the last couple of years that I’ve started to wear more back-showing garments. I used to feel very nervy about revealing it due to scars and moles and whatnot but I’ve finally decided that I like the character. (I promise I did not photoshop my back–in good light you’d see it all.)

Nettie bodysuit | Cloth Habit

Anyhoos, there’s not much to tell in the way of details. This is a super easy project, an hour or so if you’re fast with the serger! I used a bamboo-cotton-spandex blend jersey that I’ve had in my stash for a few years. For some reason I bought 5 yards of the stuff but I’m glad I did because I’ve gotten good mileage out of it for several projects. It’s a bit weightier than your typical jersey so makes a great fabric that stretches well over the body without show through.

I substituted lingerie elastic as the leg finish, just because I have loads of this stuff. But next time I’m going to try the same banding finish that is used for the neckline. I have a swimsuit with this kind of banding at the legs (instead of encased rubber elastic) and it’s super comfortable.

Ok, one last outtake, just for fun. This is called my “Neiman Marcus model pose”. I have so much more fun when I’m not doing this by myself!

Nettie bodysuit | Cloth Habit
Have you tried the Nettie yet? I’m excited to make a couple more, maybe with shorter sleeves for the impending heat!

Details:
Bodysuit: Nettie by Closet Case Files (I made size 8)
Fabric: Bamboo/cotton/spandex jersey (I forgot the source!)
Elastic: Sew Sassy
Skirt: Cascade by Megan Nielson, blogged here

Photos: Stephanie Press

16 comments

  1. oonaballoona says:

    you fabulous sexybcked woman. please give me everything in this post.

    i’ve been so bored with my alleyway pics lately i’m almost ready to hit strangers up on the street!

  2. Jenny says:

    Heck! I’d be wearing this outfit on consecutive days too if I had these lovelies in my wardrobe, blog photos pending or not!!
    I’m also a bit self-conscious about too much back (ugly brown spots & sunburn risks) but all the versions I’ve seen are so cute that I might just have to give it a go m’self 🙂

    • Amy says:

      Thanks Jenny. It is a weird journey to being proud of or happy with body quirks. But yeah, I have to be careful with the sun so if I’m not covering it I wear major sun protection on my neck/shoulders/back as just a regular thing for safety!

  3. Nikki says:

    I’ve been combing the internet for months looking for body suits. So much better to actually make some! I think I’ve just figured out my next 5 or so projects 😉 They are just so easy to wear. LOVE the fabric in the skirt as well. Beautiful!

  4. Sallie says:

    Gorgeous!! I’m pretty sure I wore almost this exact same outfit this week! I just can’t get enough of the bodysuit + full skirt action! And if I haven’t said it before – you’re posts are always such a pleasure to read. I get so excited when I see one pop up in my reader!
    Also, shout out to scars and moles and all those other fun body characters! I have a few gnarly ones I used to be self-conscious about, but no more! Perfectly imperfect,and all of that.

  5. Geo says:

    I woould wead this outfit for days in a row too :), looks comfy but stylish. I bought the pattern and can’t wait to make me some bodysuits. I’m also nervy about showing my back, but what the hell! Everyone looks great in back-showing Netties, maybe I will too 🙂

  6. maddie says:

    Another Nettie! Everyone has looked amazing in their creations and your no exception. I made one as well, and will be revealing it soon!

  7. Jill says:

    You are so cool & beautiful & fun! 🙂

    Great skirt & bodysuit. once again inspired…

  8. Kyla says:

    I usually don’t write comments, but I’ve to tell you. I just looked at the pictures in the beginning and thought; what a great back to show off in a low cut back! I think it looks really sexy with the moles. So stop the self-consciousness! cheers

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