Elysian Bodysuit Fit
The Elysian is a form fitting bodysuit. The pattern was drafted using sample measurements for a height of 5’6” [168 cm] and a B/C-cup bra size. We always recommend sewing a toile to get the fit perfect before cutting into your precious fabric.
Below are some common fit adjustments and how to do them!
Full Bust Adjustment
The Elysian Bodysuit is drafted using sample measurements for a B/C cup bra but it is suitable for many cup sizes. If you have more than a 4-5” difference between upper and full bust you may want to do a full bust adjustment. Below is an easy method for performing a full bust adjustment:
- On Upper Front (A), draw a horizontal line halfway between the lowest part of your neckline and highest part of your waistline.
- Cut along the line you drew.
- Spread the upper and lower part of your pattern piece apart to add the desired amount of ease.
- Tape a scrap of paper in place behind your new opening.
- Smooth out sideseam edges and retrace your pattern piece.
- SEWING: When you get to step 7 where you are sewing the front to the back of your bodysuit, you will match up sideseam notches like usual but your Upper Front will be longer than your back piece. As you sew, stretch your back piece to match the length of your new Upper Front piece. This will give you added fullness in the front without adding length to the back.
Raise the Neckline
Please keep in mind that you enter the Elysian from the neckline so if you adjust or raise the neckline, make sure you can still fit through it. Below is some guidance for raising the neckline:
- Tape your Upper Front (A) piece on top of a piece of paper.
- Decide how much you want to raise the neckline and mark that on the paper above the lowest part of your neckline.
- Redraw in the curved neckline. You can use a french curve or eyeball this.
Lengthen or Shorten the Bodysuit
To lengthen or shorten your bodysuit you will be adjusting Lower Front (B) and Back (C) pieces. These pieces do not have lengthen/shorten lines because where you will add/subtract length depends on how you want to change the proportions of the bodysuit. You can adjust the length of your suit by cutting a line perpendicular to the center back anywhere along the body of the piece.
- If you want to add or remove length from the waist, cut an inch or so below the waistline/notch on back
- If you want to add or remove length from the hips, cut an inch or so above the hipline
Make sure that you are adding or subtracting length from the same spot on both Lower Front (B) and Back (C) pieces. You can do this by matching up the notches and marking the spot on both pieces.
To lengthen:
- Draw a horizontal line in the place you want to lengthen on Lower Front (B) and Back (C) pieces.
- Cut along the line you drew.
- Spread the upper and lower part of your pattern pieces to add the desired amount of length.
- Tape a scrap of paper in place behind your new opening.
- Smooth out sideseam edges and retrace your pattern piece.
To Shorten:
- Draw a horizontal line in the place you want to shorten on Lower Front (B) and Back (C) pieces.
- Cut along the line you drew.
- Overlap the upper and lower part of your pattern pieces to remove the desired amount of length.
- Tape the upper and lower part of your pattern pieces together.
- Smooth out sideseam edges and retrace your pattern piece.
Add Snaps to the Crotch
We have an in depth blog post that will take you step by step through adding snaps to the crotch.
