Chlo-thing

Chlo-thing

Alice & Co Intrepid Boiler Suit (Pattern Test)

Posted on Author chlothingPosted in Made!, Pattern Testing

As you know by now, I love pattern testing. I like it because I feel like I am being helpful, but mostly I like it because it forces me to have deadlines. I don’t finish stuff without deadlines, but am super good at sewing for a particular occasion or to a specified date.

I signed up for this pattern test with a small amount of trepidation. I wasn’t sure whether a boiler suit would work for me (in terms of style and frankly, in terms of figure). I did some “plus sized boiler suit” googling and was encouraged by some of the awesomely cool results – so dived in!

This pattern test was an update of a size range for an existing pattern. I especially love supporting companies to be more inclusive in their size ranges – here is my tester version of the Alice and Co Intrepid Boiler Suit (size 18 – 22 expansion), which has just been released this week:

The author is standing outside in her yard, wearing a grey boiler suit with an exposed red zipper. She is wearing her hair up and looking away from the camera.

I used a grey Cupro/linen/Tencel blend from Tessuti. It’s called Harley Fern (which suggests green) but is also described as khaki grey…It’s got a lovely drape and is a super comfortable weight.

These fabrics often have a slubby texture which is more pronounced on the right side, but less so on the reverse which has more of a sheen. I used the sheen side.

The author is standing outside in her yard, wearing a grey boiler suit with an exposed red zipper. She is wearing her hair up and looking at the camera.

The instructions let you choose various different zip methods (exposed, normal, invisible). I went with exposed (as you can see!) and chose a contrasting zip to add a bit of interest.

The author is standing side on outside in her yard, wearing a grey boiler suit. She is wearing her hair up and looking away from the camera.

I do think this boiler suit is pretty flattering, though I hate that word. I like how it looks and it’s absurdly comfortable.

I also like this fabric a lot, though it definitely still creases…

The author is sitting outside in her yard, wearing a grey boiler suit with an exposed red zipper. She is wearing her hair up and looking away from the camera.

Trepidation vanquished! I would definitely make this again.

All the deets:

Pattern: Alice & Co Intrepid Boiler Suit

Size: Cut a 20, reduced to 18 around hips

Adjustments: 

  • A dartless FBA (using the Paprika Patterns method)
  • Graded down in the hips (about 1″)
  • Added length to bodice (2″)
  • Added length to legs (2″ but removed some of that in hemming)
  • Removed some length from sleeves in hemming)

Fabric used: Harley Fern from Tessuti Fabrics. It’s 47% Cupro 31% Linen 22% Tencel.

Like it?  Wearing it?  Yes and Yes!

Notes for next time: 

  • Interesting to make
  • Would definitely make again – maybe in a lighter weight denim for winter?
The author is standing outside in her yard, wearing a grey boiler suit with an exposed red zipper. She is wearing her hair up and looking away from the camera and squinting at the sun.