The workout bodysuits of the ’80s are being reborn with a 2020 spin. The new trend we’re seeing features state of the art performance fabrics mixed with elegant lines and silhouettes fit for the modern athlete. Made here in a simple rib knit, the Almond Bodysuit is fit for anything from yoga to lifting and can be made in a variety of knit fabrics. Try a wicking option for Arm Day or a UV Protective tricot for your next run. However you choose to style it, you’re sure to achieve your New Year’s Resolution in style.
Purchase Materials Used Below:
- 2 yards Navy Tubular Cotton Rib Knit
- Dritz Black Twill Tape with Silver Snaps – 17.5″ (44.5cm)
- Black Sew On VELCRO® Brand Fastener – 30″ x .625″
- MDF181 – The Almond Jumpsuit Sewing Pattern (free download below!)
Alternative Recommended Fabrics:
All seam allowances are 1/2″ unless otherwise stated. See chart below for sizing specifications. Note, this specific pattern is available up to a size 30.
Step 1
When sewing, the first thing you want to do is cut a 4″ slit at the center back of your bodysuit, from the neckline down. Roll the raw edges toward the wrong wide 1/4″ and edge-stitch. This will become a slight key-hole opening later on.
Step 2
Next, hem the lower edges of your front overlay pieces. For mine, I simply folded them under once and used my machine’s stretch stitch.
Step 4
Take the overlay that you’ll be placing on top, and hem the top edge that goes along the neckline as well. Pin the top overlay to the bottom overlay, leaving 1/2″ of the lower overlay free near the neckline so you can later attach your collar.
Step 5
Aligning the shoulders and armscyes, stay-stitch your overlay pieces atop your front bodysuit panel. Attach the front and back at the side seams.
Step 6
Create each of your sleeves by sewing up the inseam and the set each sleeve into its respective armhole, matching up the notches accurately.
Step 7
Your bodysuit should now be mostly formed, like you see below. Next, take your collar piece and fold it in half along the length. Stitch along the short sides, like below, and then pin the raw edge long the neckline of your bodysuit. There should be a bit of overhang on one side.
Step 8
Slip-stitch the bottom of the overhang closed and then add 1.5″ of Velcro on either end of your collar.
Step 9
Lastly, hem the lower edges of your bodysuit and add a small length of snap tape to secure your bodysuit when wearing.
Hello!! How do you hem the neckline?
I am not sure how I would hem a v neck without making a neck band..
If I just roll it over , how will that work at the V neck point? You habe to cut release notches?
Thank you !
Hi Christina – All I did with this one was fold it over once and secure with a stretch stitch. You’ll just need to notch within the seam allowance at the v-point to release any tension!
Awesome, thank u so much for replying 😀
Hi! I have a question. What size cup is this pattern drafted for? I’m trying to see if I need to make an adjustment in the chest.
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
Sorry..One more question..
What does the “face to face” mean? Cut pieces right sides together ?
Yes, that’s correct! 🙂
I’m new to sewing so excuse me, but since the lines aren’t clearly marked in sizes if I needed to make a size 12 what line would I refer to cutting out the pattern?
Hi Callan, each pattern piece has a guide for which line refers to which size. 🙂
Cool
Hi~ so,, the patterns already include 1/2” seam allowance?? Confused;;;
Yes, a 1/2″ seam allowance is already included! 🙂
Hey, I want to sew this, but I want to make it for a 2 piece dress of a sort. Is it possible to make the bodysuit in satin? (And have the nether region in another fabric ofc). Thank you! This is beautiful!
Hi Emma, I think that’d be really cool! You may need to size up the top portion thought to account for using a non-stretch fabric.
Hi, will a scuba fabric work with this?
As long as it’s 3mm or thinner, yes! 🙂
Okay, thanks !
Hi! If I wanted just a basic bodysuit would it be possible to just attach the sleeves to the base instead of adding the extra layer? I plan on using this for a CW Supergirl cosplay. Thanks!
Hi Kayla! Would the bodysuit from our Iris Ensemble be more what you’re looking for?
Oh wow yes thank you so much yes that would be more what I’m looking for. I didn’t see that one.
You’re very welcome! 🙂
Hi!
Where can I find how to take my measurements? I have not a comun body, so I need to be between sizes or even jump from chest to waist.
I don’t know how to measure front body and back body parts, neither shoulder or bust spread.
Where can I find it?
Thank you, the design is awesome
Hello! We’ve got a great tutorial on how to take your measurements, which can be found here.:)
Hey, this pattern looks great! Ive cut my pieces but I’m a bit confused how to match up the shoulders of the overlay? Does the thinner end over the overlay just go to the middle of the shoulder of the opposite overlay? Hope that makes sense! x
Hi, Angela! The two pieces should line up at the neckline. 🙂
Hi, I want to use this bodysuit to make a dance costume are the sizes true to size? If I want the bodysuit to be tight on the body not loose like in the pictures would I have to go down a size or more than that?
Hi Lina! Before you cut the paper pattern, I recommend using your measurements to find the size that will fit you with zero ease for a bodysuit that will be true to size. 🙂
There’s nothing mentioning how to attach the cuffs to the ends of the sleeves, I’m only assuming it’s to fold the pieces in half, sew up the short sides, then match to the open edges of the sleeves?
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
Hi, firstly I’d like to say that I love this pattern and I’m so grateful that it’s free but it appears that quite a lot of the instructions are missing. There is no mention of how to attach the shoulders, or cuffs for example. Has some been missed out?
Hello there!
Thanks for visiting the Mood Sewciety Blog! We’re proud to have released over 350 free sewing patterns, and we hope you’re enjoying them.
Behind the scenes we’re a dedicated team of three, and we want to be able to offer top notch support. We have exciting plans for our patterns on the horizon, and as we continue to grow, we’ve decided to focus our sewist support on patterns from the last 2 years. If this pattern hasn’t been recently reduxed or updated, we won’t be able to respond to technical questions on these older posts.
If you come across any pattern errors, rest assured our team is on it – just let us know!
Don’t miss out on our Mood Sewciety Facebook Group – a fantastic space for fellow sewists to connect, share wins, and tackle challenges together.
Thank you for your understanding and happy sewing!
Best regards,
The Mood Sewciety Blog Team
Nouvelle sur votre site je vous remercie je suis très heureuse de vous suivre BRAVO ET ENCORE MERCI Les rondes trouvent enfin de beaux modèles
Could I make only the top overlay by itself without having to make the entire body suit?
Hi Kelci, since the overlay is attached in the back of the bodysuit, we don’t recommend only making the top overlay. With some modifications, you could make the Gordonia hoodie!
must try
Me encantó, gracias.