Sew A Little Seam - Gemma Jumpsuit & Dress

If you haven’t heard, Sew a Little Seam released their newest pattern! The Gemma Jumpsuit & Dress. This pattern is so stinking cute. It’s currently on sale for 20% off with the code Gemma20 through the 23rd. It comes in 3mo-16yrs and plus 4-16. You can also get them both in a bundle here! I had the privilege to help test the pattern and it is so good. If you aren’t familiar with SALS patterns…they have ALL the options! I mean for real:

3 shorts finishes
3 capri finishes
2 pants finishes
6 skirt options.
A plain, gathered, or pleated front option
back v-neck, scoop neck, cut out back, racerback with or without knot
Long, 3/4, short, cap, ruffle, tank or tank with ties
optional chest pocket, bottoms pocket, drawstring, and a crotch snap placket.

WHEW. All the things!

My daughter is pretty small. She’s almost 2 and FINALLY is now in size 9mo (except her hips that are still 6mo…even with a diaper). Naturally, I have to grade. When sewing clothes for you or your kids, it’s important that you use current measurements and pay no attention to how it compares to RTW sizing. One of the things I love about SALS is all the measurements that are included to help determine the size to sew. Take all the measurements that are included in the size chart! Trust me, it’s really helpful.

Again, my daughter is almost 2, measures 9mo in the chest but measures in size 18m for her vertical trunk. Sew a Little Seam always includes great instructions on how to lengthen/shorten their patterns for height. Instead of having to measure the length of the different sizes and add/subtract the difference, the instructions tell you exactly how much length you will need to add/subtract for each size difference. So helpful! I added length to the bodice, rise, legs, skirt and a little on the sleeves (I made 2 different versions). And guess what? Perfect fit!

The only real thing I changed was the leg elastic for the pant version. It was just a little snug for my little miss. I kept the elastic length the same but didn’t overlap it as much. Since the ankle and calves aren’t measurement to take on the chart, I’d suggest checking to make sure the length works with the 1″ overlap for your little before sewing it permanently. You may want to overlap a little less like me, and that is totally okay! (The type of elastic used with also play a part on this since some elastic has a stronger recovery than others, making it feel tighter at the same length.)

Here are the two versions I made for my daughter! I actually make a different one in pretesting, but I forgot to take pictures of it. Whoops! And she was kind of over taking pictures that day anyway… But look how cute her hair is in the jumper!

This is the jumpsuit version, racerback with knot, pants with elastic. Since her inseam was in between size 12m and 18m, I lengthened it half the amount. Next time I’ll just do the full length for 18m since she will grow into the length soon enough. Fabric is from Raspberry Creek Fabric (retired print from last Valentine’s Day line). I’ve been hoarding this fabric for too long. Well worth it though because it’s my FAVORITE!

This option is also so cute! This is the scoop back, short sleeves and fitted skirt. I kind of wish I would have make the top of it stripes and then had the stripes going vertical for the skirt, but I thought about that AFTER the skirt was already cut. Whoops! But it’s still darling. I’ll probably be making a handful more of these. All of her current dresses are turning into tunics. Time for a wardrobe update! This fabric is also a retired print from Raspberry Creek Fabric. I have a handful of prints I previously bought specifically for clothes for this little lady. It’s time to start sewing them all up!

The pattern does go up to a size 16 and believe it or not but I totally fit on the size chart! Since this pattern is designed for littles and teens, I didn’t take any actual photos in any of the ones I made to help with testing…BUT I WILL! So keep an eye out on my instagram!

Happy sewing!