The lovely ladies at Deer and Doe reached out to me not long ago to do a review on their newest pattern, the Sirocco Jumpsuit. At the time, I was feeling incredible overwhelmed and on the brink of putting my machine away for a few months (more on that later), but something told me to go forth and sew! And girl, I’m so happy I did because now I have this sweet ensemble:


Not A Cliche

Let me start by saying I have nothing like this jumpsuit in my closet. It’s actually something I never considered to be my style – too proper, cliche looking, etc. I’ve seen so many versions on the internet (the whole, “wardrobe must have” thing) that I assumed every girl out there is wearing something like this. A trendy fad. A cliche staple.

Alas, I was wrong.

Turns out, I haven’t actually seen very many people in real life dressed like this at all. It was all in my head – or on Instagram & Pinterest, rather. I tend to get turned off from something when everyone’s got it, cuz you know, girl doesn’t want to be like everyone else. But imagine, I almost missed out on this amazing look because ultimately, I was concerned about everyone else.

How ridiculous.


The Look

In my quest to not be interested in anything that everyone else has, much to my surprise, I actually like the way this jumpsuit looks on me. I really thought it wouldn’t quite suit me. Yep, yet again, I was wrong. Side note, as I get older, it appears that I’m consistently wrong about everything I thought I knew. Anyone else?

Anyways.

To me, this jumpsuit is one of the most chic items I’ve made and now have in my closet. It looks just like something worth an obscene amount of dollars at the store, but I suppose I shouldn’t have expected anything less from a French pattern designer, you know?

I also love how flattering it is. See, I have a small backside (which hey, power to the little battie gyal dem), but this jumpsuit gives me some shape. It also accentuates the waist, which is a nice little bonus. Then add some high heels, and pow:


Pattern & Construction

At first glance, this seemed like it would take a long time to construct and have some level of difficulty. But quite frankly, this is one of the easiest patterns I’ve ever used. The instructions are clear, diagrams even clearer and it helps when your serger is on your side.

As it was my first time using a Deer and Doe pattern, I wondered how it would fit and my my my, the sizing was actually accurate! I can’t tell you how many patterns I’ve used where the actual finished garment is NOT the size it said it would be. In my own personal bias, I sort of assumed that because Deer and Doe is from France, the sizing would be precise, to which I was right 😎. For me, the length from base of the neck to waistband was perfect, which never happens.

As it pattern currently is, the legs are too wide even though they are tapered. It’s also much too long for long for my liking – even the designer photos show the legs rolled up, so it looks a bit frumpy. One suggestion would be to shorten the inseam length to just about the ankle and taper the legs in to give a more feminine shape, which is exactly what I did.

I also brought the shoulders in using a 5/8 seam allowance rather than the suggested 3/8. Beyond that, the waist and hip fit just right with just a little taking in at the underarms/bust!

One of my favourite things about the Sirocco Jumpsuit is that there is no zipper. Though I’m pretty good at inserting zips, any opportunity to not have to do it is fine by me! The jumpsuit just pulls over your hips and shoulders, so that means your stretch sewing skills needs to be on point, otherwise the threads will break every you pull this baby up.

Otherwise, my only real quam was with the waistband. The tension from the neckband and amount of layers hidden in the neckband, back darts and front pleats causes the waistband to tug differently across the band, causing it to look a wee bit amateur. I re-did it a few times and had the same result, so I’m of the belief that it’s because of how thick the material I used is.

This will definitely not deter me from making the Sirocco Jumpsuit again. I’ll just make a belt with a fabulous buckle to go with it, which I think will only amp up the look.


Material

This is a stretch knit I got from Michael Levine Fabrics in downtown LA for some ridiculously low price like $5/yd. Unfortunately, I’m the worst at keeping track of fabric details, so I don’t know exactly what type of stretch knit it is. Womp, promise I’ll do better in the future!

Anyways, the pattern calls for jersey knit, but this beautiful darker mint-ish/sage coloured fabric has some weight to it. Even though it’s a thicker stretch knit, it’s still fluid enough to have some flow and movement to it. All that combined with a little bit of textured sheen really gives this jumpsuit a look of value. I debated using this material for this project, but once I determined that I wanted to the avoid the classic black or grey, I knew this was the right way to go!


Sewing Doesn’t Suck Anymore

What I love more than anything about this jumpsuit is that it re-ignited my love for sewing. I was really forcing myself to sew over the last few months and to be honest, I wasn’t too happy with what I was creating. My favourite hobby was starting to become a chore that was taking up my time and making me feel stressed out. So I actually put my sewing machine away – tools, thread and all and had no intention of sewing for at least a few weeks.

And then Camille reached out to see if I would do a review.

At first, I hesitated because I needed time for myself and didn’t want to ruin sewing even more for me. But then I decided to think of it as ‘I GET to sew/review this awesome jumpsuit for a company on the other side of the world’ rather than ‘I HAVE to sew something’.

Talk about game changer. With that attitude, my focus and attention was on point and the jumpsuit came together with such ease. Now I’m looking forward to what I *get* to make next!


Final Thoughts

I’ll keep this short and sweet: Try this jumpsuit out. It’s an easy make and the work around for the waistband is as simple as making a belt or a waist tie to cover it up. I feel incredibly chic in it and I know others think the same thing. As soon as they see it, their immediate response is just awesome – they’re shocked that it’s not store bought, which is always my favourite reaction to anything I sew 😀

xo
Sharadha

Photos by D. Lau



32 Comments

  1. This is stunning. I haven’t really looked at Deer & Doe since a Melilot disaster but this look has really got me thinking. I’m glad you found your sewing joy again! x

    • Sharadha Reply

      Give it a shot! this pattern is a definite winner. the commentary on social media about this Jumpsuit is nothing but positive!

      • It is so beautiful!! You look gorgeous in it, the fit is perfect. The fabric you chose really elevates it, it looks so expensive.
        I am about to buy this pattern and go fabric hunting soon! Excited haha
        Do you mind if i ask your measurements and what size you decided to go with?
        I always find that part so hard.. because I’m quite petite, 5’0 but with more athletic build.
        Thanks for doing this review !!

        • Sharadha Reply

          Hi Christina!

          I agree – choosing the right size is difficult because often times, the final size doesn’t match to what it’s supposed to be!
          I cut the size 36. I’m 5’4 – measurements are 33 bust, 26 waist 33 hip.

          hope that helps!

  2. Your version is stunning! The colour is perfect.

    I also made my Sirocco is a heavier knit with a subtle sheen and it works really well. I have a slightly wobbly waistband as well, but I blamed myself for less than perfect sewing… But you have me thinking that maybe I’m not entirely at fault.

    I found it so fun to make though, and I’m glad you decided to give it a go and brought this gorgeous garment into the world.

    • Sharadha Reply

      you know, the more i see other Sirocco versions, the more slightly warped waistbands I see, so it’s definitely not you!

  3. Love this! I had just cut out the same jumpsuit when this post popped up on my insta. So excited to see it on you, the mint is amazing. I’m making a boring Navy one right now, but if it’s on point, thinking of making a white one next! Partly for some wedding activities, but why not keep wearing a white jumpsuit after? 🙂 Glad it got your sewjo back, I’ve been surprised how quickly and nicely it’s coming together. 🙂

    cheers!

    • Sharadha Reply

      oooh white would be great! I’d do the same as you – try it first on a different fabric and seeing if you even like it on yourself, then going for the white. Good luck! 😀

  4. Pingback: #Sirocco# Les versions des revieweuses – Deer&Doe • le blog

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  6. Gorgeous! Wish u knew the fabric. I’m always on the hunt for a quality:expensive looking knit.

    • Sharadha Reply

      Thank you!!

      I knowww….I have to get better at identifying and remembering fabrics! Womp.

  7. Pingback: Deer and Doe Sirocco Jumpsuit – Merritts Makes

  8. This is truly lovely! Such a perfect combo of fabric and pattern. Question for you: how tall are you? I’m on the verge of making my own Sirocco, and as a tall lady I’d usually just automatically add length, but I’ve seen several people saying they usually do the same but didn’t need to. I’m trying to gather as much info as I can before cutting into good fabric!

    • Sharadha Reply

      Hi! I’m 5’4 and usually need about 14.5″ from nap of neck to waistline.

  9. I’m so glad you talked about the waistband. I just finished my wearable muslin using scuba and noticed the waistband was all wavy. I assumed it was a combo of me being a beginner and the thick fabric, but it may just be the pattern. I’m not as concerned to move forward with the ponte now. I’ve seen a few on insta do a matching tie belt so I may do the same to hide the waistband.

    • Sharadha Reply

      a ponte might be too thick for the waistband, so good call.
      and yes to a belt!! it’ll look so cute!

  10. Thank you for your review of this pattern! I’m so glad to see your mention of tapering the legs as I felt they were also too wide. I have a slightly disproportionately large bust and so I’m having a hard time getting where I feel like the top fits just right. When you say you shoulders in to 5/8″, are you talking about the actual shoulder seam between front bodice and back? I feel like the back bodice seems kind of full and bulky on me. How do you feel about those back pleats? Sorry, that’s a lot, I guess I had a lot of pent of feelings about this! 🙂

    • Sharadha Reply

      Hi Kristen!

      I took in the width of the shoulders by 5/8″, so between my neck and shoulder edge.
      At first, I wasn’t too sure about the back pleats because it’s true, it seemed bulky especially at the waistband. Same for the front. A solid press helps. I also think a lot of it was in my head and I just had to get over it lol

  11. Your jumpsuit is gorgeous!!! I’ve read lots about this tricky/wobbly/bulky waistband in this pattern. I’m trying to come up with a solution before committing to the pattern…Do you think it would work to skip the waistband altogether and just sew the bodice to the pants?

    • Sharadha Reply

      Thanks Emma! No, I don’t think that would do the trick; the bulkiness would transfer to the pants instead of the waist. An option might be to make a belt to cover the waistband though. good luck!

  12. A bit tardy to the party here, but I recently revisited this post and wanted to weigh in! First and foremost, your pattern review is actually what convinced me to make this pattern in the first place, and I loved it! I actually made two jumpsuits (the second to replace my initial make that I lost after the first wash. Friendly reminder to preshrink your knits :,) and the second time around, inspired by the wobbly waistband from my first make, I reinforced the waistband by cutting 2x the pieces called for and sewing them in! It added a bit of bulk in the waist department, but I found it was much needed for structure, given all of the bulk and strain the waist is subjected to in a garment such as this one. There may be other (and perhaps better) ways to reinforce the waistband, but that seemed to work for me! If I make it again I will definitely steal your tip on tapering and shortening the legs 😉 You did a beautiful job—thank you for sharing!!

  13. Deborah Robinson Reply

    I am about to start making this. Yours is absolutely gorgeous and looks so classy on you. Thankyou for the tip about tapering the leg.

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