This pattern has been on my radar for a long time - I had some really specific desires in a pair of overalls. I hate loose ties, so the Burnside bibs are not quite right. I wanted something with an oversized feel, to wear over my tight cropped sweaters which are otherwise getting neglected in my wardrobe. The zero waste feature wasn't my priority, if anything it made these feel more daunting.
I did at some point realise they had reached the top of my list this winter. I've tried to really focus on a few super important seasonal projects and this was one. I had also been inspecting the linen options for awhile. I wanted a heavyweight linen that matched the sweaters. A dark grey was tempting but I couldn't find one that was the right weight. Eventually I splurged on this navy from Guthrie and Ghani when I was already buying some knits from them. It was actually slightly cheaper than buying linen in New Zealand even when I calculate the shipping charges.
I used the smallest of the provided sizes. You have options to use provided sizes, or to measure yourself and create a tailor made pattern. I hadn't realised this - thought the tailor made option was the only one - and it did make me relax a bit. I still am uncomfortable just measuring and cutting fabric without pattern pieces, but at least I was already provided with the measurements.
I started right at the edge of my fabric, assuming that's what I was meant to do, and so I caught the selvedge in one side, visible in the pocket. My fabric was slightly wider than the zero waste measurements and I could comfortably have cut off the selvedge before proceeding.
I also didn't really know how much fabric I needed - since I thought I had to measure myself, I hadn't read the instructions closely, and so I had too much. I can't really tell how close to zero waste it was. I believe I needed 2m and had bought 2.5.
Once I did the measurements and cut my fabric out things definitely stopped feeling stressful. I used chalk on the linen and it all was pretty straightforward to measure and cut.
Sewing was fun and simple. However more instruction on the ties would have been nice. How are they supposed to be tied? Are they better as two ties or as one long one? I don't really understand! I threaded one tie through the back, and one through the front. I have tied them on each side. This gives me the ability to tighten the front and back to different amounts, and the ties don't make too obvious bows which would drive me crazy. However, I always wear bags and purses on the right side and that tie is painful when it hits my bag, so if I made this again I might prefer a single long tie that only came out on the left side. I have managed to tie the top so I can get in and out of it without untying.
The front pockets are too shallow. I am going to sew the pocket opening higher a bit, as it's too big anyway, but I agree with the recommendation I have read to make the pockets about 2" longer.
A bib pocket would have been useful. I would actually put things in it. Now I know.
Learning moments aside, these have been great. The crotch is too droopy for long walks but aside from that I really like these overalls. I've experimented with various fitted tshirts as well as my sweaters to wear under them. In the winter I can wear tights under and in summer the linen is like a nice cooling tent (I went to the States for two weeks, hence getting to experience both summer and winter within a month.) The droopiness is a problem though as my legs rub together and so that limits their usefulness, and my crossbody bag rubbing over the right side tie has been pretty uncomfortable too. Still they were a fun experiment and something I will definitely wear for lounging and short social outings.
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