Minerva Bloggers Network - 1970's Jumpsuit, McCall's 5366

Hello, there! Time for May's Minerva project. This time we're having a foray into 1976, and the world of jumpsuits! A while ago I noticed a giveaway on the lovely Stacey Stitch's blog, where she was giving away this pattern:

McCall's 5366 from 1976

It was love at first sight, so I was really happy when I won it. With a few meters of black polycotton gaberdine from Minerva, a black zip, and a tiny bit of interfacing, I created this jumpsuit:

I made a few adjustments, such as adding pockets. The original was all one piece with a seam at the center front and back, but I also added as seam at the waist and some slanted pockets:

 

The original didn't have the elastic at the waist, but I added it to this version as I was worried it would shift around while I wore it:

Casing with elastic inside the waist

The pattern's really simple, with almost no shaping except for some gathers at the shoulder:

And there's a center front zip so getting in and out is easy:

I didn't go for the tie belt - a bit too karate kid; I thought a glam gold belt (which I already had) would lend a touch of 70's disco vibe.

And finally - trouser width. These babies are HUUUGE. They measure 26" around; it's going to have to be wedges or high heels with these, or else my legs will look really short.

A while ago, Clare over at Sew Dixie Lou blogged about her Ailakki jumpsuit from Named patterns (which BTW made her look scalding hawt). She finished the post with a suggestion from her husband that women like jumpsuits, while men aren't so impressed. Well, I love this jumpsuit and have been practically living in it since I finished it, and several people, men included, have commented on it positively. The debate rages on! 

This is also my third entry to the Vintage Pattern Pledge, run by Marie at a Stitching Odyssey - go check it out

Don't forget, if you want a black jumpsuit of your own, head on over to Minerva where you can get everything you need.

See you soon!

Butterick 2907 meets Sid Vicious

How do you get from this nice, mid 60's raglan sleeve dress:

'Can I help you?'

To this punk inspired party number:

'Are you wasting my time'

This view looks like a superhero outfit

Close up of the zip sleeve detail

Words failed me when I tried to explain my inspiration, so see if you can figure it out from these photos -

Sid Vicious. I've been waiting for an opportunity to wear one of these belts since I was 13 years old.

Zandra Rhodes punk inspired collection from the 1970's.

Catherine Deneuve in 'The Hunger' - I've always loved the 40's as filtered through the 70's.

Jean Brooks in 'The 7th Victim' (1943) - creepy horror about Satanists in New York. They use a beauty parlour as a front for their evil activities!

Anya Phillips - manager of the Mudd Club. Classic sexy punk.

Debbie Harry in Stephen Sprouse

John Willie's 'Bizarre' Magazine - kinky stuff, but some brilliantly sexy images.

I made this dress specifically for the annual explosion of alcohol fuelled frustration known as my work Christmas Party. It started off civilised enough, but after a few hours of free prosecco, soaked up with a couple of canapes, scenes like this were commonplace:

Trying to pretend I'm a model in 'Bizarre' Magazine

'Not more dancing on tables, I already had my turn! Oh, alright - since you insist'

And yes, those are latex stockings in the 2 photos above - well, you only live once, and hey, it was Christmas! And now I'm probably going to end up with all sorts of weird search words on my blog stats ......