Geometric Romper

The weather has been highs in the 100s here in Austin for the last couple of weeks so I've been trying to get in some pool time and also lounging in A/C.  I've also been cutting fabric and sewing away lately, which has been nice. Today I have my review of Simplicity 8333, and what a perfect piece to wear in this crazy heat!  It's easy to wear and made in a comfy cotton jersey knit.  The fabric was purchased from Girl Charlee sometime this past spring.

This garment is View B and I cut size 12 on the top and graded to size 16 for the bottom.  I also added a half inch to the length of the shorts.  I'm still learning about sewing with knits and one thing that I learned from this pattern was sewing bias tape to the neck line.  I did a little research online and found this article, which was helpful.  However this is what I ended up doing:

1. First I prepped the bias tape as I usually do, by pressing open one side of the tape.  I pinned the bias tape to the neck edge and I serged the tape to the neckline.  As I serged I trimmed off 1/4 inch off the edge.

2.  I folded the bias tape into the neck edge and pressed it.  Then I used my double needle to stitch the neck binding down.

It looks nice and neat plus was pretty quick to put in the binding this way.   I did not like what the pattern directions suggests as its too convoluted and looks messy.  I tried Simplicity's method with this top.

The other thing I changed was how to make the waist elastic casing.  I pressed the waist seam allowance up towards the bodice, then sewed the seam allowance using a 1/4 inch  from raw edge creating a casing.  The last thing I added was a snap to the bodice where the fabric crosses over the bust.

I'm happy with how this romper turned out.  I've been debating to make View D which is a halter dress but I've got some other garments in line that I can't wait to get my hands on.  Plus I think I need a small break from knits.  ;)