I have spent the last few years longing for a new jumpsuit, but I have yet to find a RTW one that fits me. My torso is a tad longer than ‘normal’ so jumpsuits from stores end up giving me quite a wedgie. Instead, I turned my attention to finding the best jumpsuit patterns!
Back in 2016 I drafted a jumpsuit specifically for myself, but have not yet gotten round to digitising and grading it, so can’t yet share it with you. At the very least I’ll have to find it out and take a photo or two to show you!
The great thing about making your own using a jumpsuit sewing pattern is that you can lengthen and shorten the pattern as needed for your personal measurements. You can always draft your own jumpsuit pattern of course, but not everyone feels comfortable doing so.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at nine of the best free and paid jumpsuit sewing patterns!
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that I may receive a fee at no extra cost to you if you purchase a recommended product.
3 Best Free Jumpsuit Patterns
Let’s start with the best free jumpsuit patterns that I found first of all!
1. Pepermint Mag
You’ve surely heard of Peppermint Magazine? Issue 35 provided a free jumpsuit pattern to readers, and it has gone down well with many who made it.
It was created by In The Folds and features a front and back v-neck, a centre back zippered opening and a waist belt to cinch things in.
I’ve downloaded it for myself to test out – I’ll keep you updated in the progress!
2. Sewing Bee Jumpsuit – CraftWorld
This free sewing bee jumpsuit pattern from Great British Sewing Bee is a great jumpsuit pattern using woven fabrics.
A wide v-neck, long sleeves and an exposed CF zipper make this suitable for older and younger sewers!
3. Mood
The Forrest Jumpsuit from Mood Sewciety is a gorgeous free jumpsuit pattern. It looks super functional, but is also very stylish! Puff sleeves, small ‘storm flap’ detail – which makes it look like a cross between a trench coat and a jumpsuit – it also features patch pockets and lots of top stitched detailing.
Definitely a winner – did I mention it’s also free?
6 Best Paid Jumpsuit Patterns
Let’s move onto the paid jumpsuit patterns available to us. The recent interest in jumpsuits has seen both big brands and indie designers creating jumpsuit sewing patterns, but who should you hand over your money to?
1. Greer Jumpsuit Pattern – Hey June Handmade
By now you’re probably aware that I quite like Hey June Handmade sewing patterns. They fit me well with a few adjustments for length, and have great instructions too.
The Greer Jumpsuit is another pattern from Adrianna that gets my vote. It’s available in sizes 0-24, is designed for woven fabrics, has a dropped crotch for some super relaxed vibes and two neckline options:
- V-neck with darts for a more fitted upper body look
- Squared neck with lengthy scooped armholes for a more casual look
My preferred option is no.2 and that is the one that I made up first – initially as a toile, but it’s so cute, I’ve made it a wearable toile!
Here’s the video showing a little of the process I used to make it!
2. Sallie Jumpsuit Pattern – Closet Core Patterns
A great jumpsuit for knit fabrics is the Sallie Jumpsuit sewing pattern from Closet Core Patterns – yes, another favourite indie pattern designer of mine.
The pattern is for a jumpsuit *and* a maxi-dress, which is a win – two different ‘looks’ in one pattern! I love the tie strap detail of views B & C but the self-lined V-neck option is also a winner.
Closet Core make their patterns size inclusive – this jumpsuit pattern is currently available up to a size 20.
3. Sirocco Jumpsuit – Deer And Doe
The Sirocco jumpsuit pattern is another knit pattern, but oh my! It is beautiful, with a mock wrap front, pleats and tapered legs that make it perfect for dressed up evening drinks.
The recommended fabric to use is a knit with at least 60% stretch, so it’s quite a close fit jumpsuit.
I think it’ll look stunning with the sleeves removed, though perhaps a little too chilly in the winter for that.
This Deer And Doe pattern goes up to a size 52, and I’ve just downloaded it. Now all I need to do is find the perfect stretch fabric for it.
4. Mildred Jumpsuit – StyleArc
From StyleArc, we have the Mildred jumpsuit pattern, a pattern designed to be created with mid-weight woven fabrics like denim and drill.
It’s a pull-on style jumpsuit so no clothes fastening used on the straps or as an opening, which makes it a good one for anyone new to sewing clothing to try out, though StyleArc is renowned for their very limited instructions – be aware!
5. Burnside Bibs – Sew House Seven
The final jumpsuit sewing pattern from an indie designer that I have to tell you about is the Burnside Bibs! I’ve had the Burnside Bibs pattern from Sew House Seven for a couple of years now and somehow I never seem to have the right amount of fabric in my stash to make them.
I love that they have a zipper opening, so that the straps can be left in place – the gathers at the back waist are what first attracted me to this jumpsuit pattern!
The wide leg and big pockets are also winning reasons to grab this pattern and try it out!
6. Casual Jumpsuit V1524 – Vogue Patterns
Never have I been one to recommend one of the big four, preferring to support the smaller independent sewing pattern designers instead, but the casual jumpsuit from Vogue Patterns is gorgeous!
I do not like the bra type strap at the back – I’d be removing that in an instant! – but the halter neck bodice and the wide legged pants make this a perfect jumpsuit pattern for anyone that wants to make a very dressy version!
Jumpsuits Vs Boiler Suits
Now let’s cover the differences between jumpsuits and boiler suits!
What Is A Boiler Suit?
A boiler suit is an all in one garment with a long bodice, long trouser legs and long sleeves too. Historically, boilersuits were worn by manual laborers, but were also worn by women working in the munitions factories during WWII.
They opened at the centre front with a long zipper or a row of buttons.
What Is A Jumpsuit?
A jumpsuit is another all in one type of clothing – some would even say it’s the same as a boiler suit! – but a jumpsuit can feature a variety of details that aren’t seen on a traditional boiler suit. Such as:
- Front bib
- Back bib
- Short sleeves
- No sleeves
- Scoop neck
- V Neck
- Square neck
- Crossover straps
- Straight staps
- Wide straps
- Narrow straps
- Slash hip pockets
- Patch pockets
- Back gathers
- Front pleats
Basically, anything that you can think of that will jazz a garment is what created a difference between a boiler suit vs a jumpsuit!
What Is The Best Fabric To Use For A Jumpsuit?
The fabric you choose to make your jumpsuit pattern depends on two factors:
- The recommendations of the sewing pattern designer (included in the instructions)
- The style you’re aiming for (casual vs evening, tailored vs sexy)
A draped jumpsuit will need a loose, drapey fabric while a fitted jumpsuit could be constructed from a medium weight woven fabric using darts or a high-stretch knit fabric that clings to the body.
You’ll also want to consider whether the type of fabric you want to use is suitable for the season – while a wool jumpsuit with tailored aspects sounds (and would look) wonderful, it isn’t necessarily the fabric of choice for spring or summer weather.
Finally, think about the amount of ‘wear’ your jumpsuit will have. Will you be doing anything manually laborious like gardening and decorating? Are you making a jumpsuit for evenings out with your partner or friends? Is it something you plan to wear lazing on a sunny beach?
Each of the above scenarios will mean a different fabric type should be considered.
How Do You Draft A Jumpsuit Pattern?
If you’d like to go the self drafting route and draft your own jumpsuit pattern then stay tuned, as I’ll soon be posting a tutorial that will walk you through the step-by-step process of drafting your own jumpsuit pattern, using existing separates patterns!
Have you made any of the above jumpsuits? Is there one on your list that you’re eager to make first? Let me know in the comments below!
Don’t forget to check out the 12 best plus sewing patterns here, and the best Scandinavian sewing patterns too!
Kim
Thursday 6th of January 2022
Hi Eve,
I hope you were able to enjoy at least a little bit of your holidays even though the loss of your mom is still in the front of your mind. That first Christmas without a parent is tough, but it does get better. I know.
You often ask for suggestions from your subscribers, and I just thought of one that might be helpful to many: How do you draft and sew pocket stays and tummy-smoothing skirt and pant fronts? I've read a few tutorials, but found them confusing. What fabric should I use? Does fabric choice depend on the fabric of the garment itself or just on the purpose of the stay? How far up and down should it go? I am tall and relatively slender, but my tummy starts between my bust and natural waist in the front and is firm all the way down, rather than soft. I have a low, flat bum in back. It's not a side view I like, and front waist bands cut in when I sit. Shaping undergarments make me hot and sweaty, and I'm hoping pocket stays might provide an alternative. I hope you'll consider this idea for a future tutorial. Thank you for all you do, especially your clear explanations and emphasis on environmentally friendly clothing options.
PS. Have you ever thought of doing something like Minna, The Shapes of Fabric, does? I love her book on sleeve designs and ideas.
Hugs, Kim
Eve Tokens
Monday 21st of February 2022
Hi Kim. I thought I had replied to your comment when I first approved it, but it seems my reply did not post. I'm so sorry for this. Thank you so much for your kind words. It's good to know that things will get better, I'm still struggling with grief, but thank goodness for the distraction of work!
I think that is a wonderful tutorial idea - thank you for the suggestion! I'll add it to my upcoming list.
And yes, I have been toying with the idea of digital books on different topics, but I always wonder whether people will actually buy them! Having built up an incredible website of free content, I often find people expect everything to be for free and so when I create paid products, the take up is very low, and often not worth the time invested in creating them. But, perhaps I will give it a go this half of 2022! Thank you! Xxx