Closet Core Patterns Blanca Flight Suit modelled photos

A woman in a black jumpsuit and yellow trainers leans against a bench

I posted about this jumpsuit last week but now I have photos of it on me, thanks to my husband, and it’s always easier to talk about fit when there are pictures to look at. This is Closet Core Patterns’ Blanca Flight Suit. I normally stick to Burda and Vogue patterns, with occasional diversions to Style Arc, but I had a clear idea of the sort of jumpsuit I wanted to make and even with ten years of Burda back issues I couldn’t find one with all the right details. Blanca had everything I was looking for, so I decided to risk an unfamiliar block and sizing system, and sprung for the paper pattern. Here’s the line art:

Technical drawing of a jumpsuit with various sleeve and arm options
Blanca flight suit line art, closetcorepatterns.com

It comes with several options to change the look up a bit, although nothing radical: short or long sleeves, two belt versions, two breast pocket versions, optional tabs for tapering the leg and optional press studs for tapering the arm. I added the optional tabs and press studs on mine and did the breast pockets with zips, the buckle belt, and the long sleeve. A jumpsuit is a big project so I wanted to be able to wear it a few different ways. Below is with wide sleeves and trouser legs.

A woman in a black jumpsuit and yellow trainers sits on a bench

I think one of the cleverest features about this is the back. There are top stitched pleats to give a little interest and extra reaching room. And it does need it: this is designed to be fairly snug, especially on the hips. (Excuse the keys in the pockets in the picture below).

Now obviously it would have been sensible to make a toile before diving into a big project with a pattern company I’d not tried before, especially as they have their own sizing system. But my sewing time is limited, so instead I carefully consulted the very detailed table of finished garment measurements provided to choose a size and decide on adjustments.

I ended up making the sizes my body measurements put me in (sizes plural because I am more pear shaped than the Closet Core block) but that was because my fabric is slightly stretchy; it’s Empress Mills’ 7.5oz premium denim. I added 5cm length to the bodice and sleeves, and 6cm to the leg. The body length has come out fine overall but the waistband is lower than I expected; definitely below my natural waist. And I wouldn’t want the legs any shorter.

I was slightly surprised by quite how close fitting it turned out. I knew there wasn’t any ease at the hip, but from reviews I’d read I’d expected the bodice to be more blousey. It’s not a bad thing, but I’m still debating if I can safely wear it to work. And if I made this again in a nonstretch fabric I’d size up one. As it is, it requires a slight wriggle to get on but once there it’s comfortable.

Here it is with tapered arms and legs. I wasn’t expecting to like this look as much as the wider option but in fact I think it works.

Despite the sizing surprise I’m very happy with the way it’s come out. I even found myself browsing the Empress Mills denim section to see if any of the other colours the fabric comes in caught my eye for a second version. But as I’m still slogging my way through my wardrobe sewing plan, that’s going to have to wait a while.

23 thoughts on “Closet Core Patterns Blanca Flight Suit modelled photos”

  2. Very sharp! I have three of their patterns, and have worked up two of them. They’re always so well thought out. And you’re right, the sizing definitely runs true to the measurements on the envelope.

  3. This is one of the best versions I’ve seen! Looks fantastic, even with the dropped waist. I love closet core directions. They also have an on line fitting guide for pants that I have found revelatory for my lower half (I have been working on fit forever there, and think I solved my issues!)

    1. Thanks! I also found the directions very clear and good, although I’m still not quite sure how they managed to fill a whole booklet as they didn’t seem overly wordy. Good diagrams as well. I’d definitely consider buying more of their patterns.

  5. That looks brilliant on you, and totally “you”! I can see wanting a bit more room to move, but this fitted version looks very cool too.

  6. that looks Fantastic on you!

    PS I would think you could totally wear it to work. It’s sexy and stylish, yet modest. A winning combo!

  8. This looks fabulous on you…perfect! Kudos for doing it all… those bells and whistles are the best. And thanks to your husband for helping us see all of your amazing makes!

  9. It is awesome. So much so, that I purchased the pattern. I have 4 yrs of denim that will get out to good use.

  10. VERY Bond. It’s sexy but not ostentatiously so, I think it’s appropriate to wear to work. Particularly if your job is international woman of mystery. The tabs are a great innovation – they harken back to the workwear origins in a really clever way! I’ve never actually soldered anything, for example, but I imagine sometimes you want close-fitting cuffs instead of wide ones when building with fire. Or climbing through vents, scanning documents, fighting terrorists, etc…

    1. Hah hah my job is not so much international woman of mystery as jack of all trades. I do occasionally have to climb ladders. I once had a summer job in a steel plant and the overalls they issued were a lot less flattering than these 🙂

  11. This is one of the best versions I’ve seen made of this pattern, but your sewing skills are always impeccable. I was surprised to hear you mention work. There’s a husband, a baby, sewing regularly AND a job? In awe.

  12. Stellar work as usual. The black denim looks great! I’m sure these would be suitable for work.

  13. Pingback: Wardrobe sewing plans update – Catherine Daze's Blog

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