I promised it wouldn’t be long before I sewed vintage again. On a different tack completely to my ’60s dress, here’s a 1980s romper.
The pattern is McCall’s 9077 from 1984, a year older than me. My Roberts dungarees are amongst my most loved and worn garments and I was definitely seeking to replicate their comfort and wearbility here. I love all 3 views of this pattern and reckon I’ll be sewing up the shorts and dress version before too long as well.
I made these up as wearable toile, doing a bit of fit adjustment along the way. The pattern came in a single size, small, but it’s quite oversized and I had to take it in along the torso sides. The bit of stretch in this lightweight denim (a Woolcrest Textiles bargain – my current #1 fabric shop) makes them super comfortable. To finish the edges, the back and straps are self-lined and the front has a facing.
One of my favourite features are the huge patch pockets, which wrap around the side seam. Such a neat detail which look cool but are very easy to sew.
Something did go a bit wrong while sewing the placket. Those things are just a mystery to me, I swear I just seemed to end up with flaps and angles all up in the wrong places and just couldn’t make it do what the instructions said. I fudged it and wound up with an okay result, but the buttons do not sit correctly at the exact centre front. I can live with it.
I’ll definitely use this pattern again, if only just to have another crack at sewing the placket correctly! I’ve been collecting jumpsuit inspiration and have dreams of a really minimal version in a drapey viscose, like this, or one in linen with a tie belt like this.
My mum made me this in cream in 1984. Wore it with a fluoro orange short sleeve top and a fluoro mesh sash belt thing and necklace made fro very large orange plastic beads. I was so on trend.
Sounds fantastic!
So, I never in a million years would have picked up that pattern, but somehow you make it look SO AWESOME.
I love a non-appealing pattern cover that ends up being awesome!
swoon swoon swoon! This is lovely, I can imagine it being something I would wear all the time at home.
A jersey one would be so lovely for lounging…
I love these!! Those pockets are so cool and the buttons are great too! Can’t wait to see the other versions!
I’ve gotta trace the pattern to make a few amends, but I hope more will be coming soon…
wow you really saw the potential in that pattern. Looks fab.
Thanks! I like seeing potential in patterns with less appealing styling…
They look so cool on you! Well done spotting the potential in that pattern!
Thanks! I love turning unlovable-looking patterns into something wearable :)
I had a very similar jumpsuit in 1984, which I wore with pride to a Tears for Fears concert!! You’ve made it look totally contemporary Katie. x
Love it! Luckily I didn’t partake in this trend first time round, but I see 90s fashion coming back too which is a bit close to the bone…
Nice !
You look so adorable in those! It makes me want to make my own, even though I know it doesn’t fit my shape. :D
Ah, I’ve never really believed in ‘dressing for my shape’!
The 80s called and said, “You can keep that pattern because you look rad!”
Phew!
I love everything you sew, but these are particularly fantastic!!
Thanks!
What a great pattern! I love the racerback.
Cheers! It’s cool huh. Lots of scope for variations.
Please help
Where do I find the pattern?
I need to have these in my life :)
I think this might be the pattern I used back in the 80s to make dungarees. Do you know where I can get the pattern from to make myself another pair?
I’d have bought it from either eBay or Etsy!