Anza Dress & Jumpsuit

With well drafted sewing patterns for wovens becoming harder to find as the preferred jersey knit patterns seem to be increasing in popularity, I was happy to see Itch to Stitch's new pattern was another designed for wovens! I have to admit, I was just a little outside my comfort zone on this one as I've never worn a jumpsuit before, so I signed up for testing out the dress version only but a combination of curiosity and trust in the designer led me to trying the jumpsuit too! AND I'm glad I went with it as it's opened up a whole new avenue to explore and create with this Summer! 

​Pattern Details

The Anza is a printable PDF pattern from Itch to Stitch in US sizes 00-20 (25-40.5" waist) suitable for intermediate sewers. It has a dress option with a shirt-tail hem or a trouser option with elasticated ankle cuffs and is just for woven fabrics. Both the dress and jumpsuit options include pockets but with a little layering pattern pieces you can make them without pockets if you prefer. The bodice for both options is the same so you only need to print those pages once even if you make both pattern variations! The pattern also includes different pattern pieces for sewing cup sizes A-DD so no time consuming bust adjustments for you either, just be sure to only print the pages for your cup size as shown in the print chart on page 6 or you'll print lots of unnecessary pages too! 

There are up to 45 pages for the jumpsuit, 34 pages for the dress or 61 pages for both options, to print, trim and tape together depending or you could get the included A0 copy printed for you by a copy shop or similar if you prefer. As always with Itch to Stitch patterns, the Anza pattern has very detailed size & measurement charts, print & cutting layout guides and are fully illustrated throughout with very professional drafting and finishing options, including full details on blending between sizes and lengthening/shortening to get your best fit.

The pattern pieces themselves have layers and all sizes have a different line colour and style so however you're printing, it will be super easy to assemble and cut.  It requires between 2.5-3.4 metres (2.75-3.75 yards) for the jumpsuit and 1.9-2.4 metres (2.2-2.6 yards) for the dress of 54" wide light to medium weight woven fabric with no stretch. You'll also need a small amount of suitable weight fusible woven interfacing, some 6mm elastic for the waists and 25mm wide elastic if choosing gathered hems on the jumpsuit, and a length of cording or self fabric rouleau for the waist drawstring. 

My Versions

For both the Jumpsuit and Dress I made size 0C as per my measurements on the sizing chart.  I made both as per the pattern with no adjustments which would affect fit.  Both took roughly the same amount of time to make at around 5 hours from print to finished. 

Dress - for this I used the same medium weight outdoorsy water repellant poly/poly blend as I used for my Tierras muslin.  It has little drape and a bit of body as can be seen in the creases and folds in the photos.  It was also a nightmare to iron with the fabric melting before the creases came out!  I used eyelets instead of buttonholes for the drawstring openings at the waist and invisibly hand stitched the neck facing to the dress rather than machine sewing it down.

Jumpsuit - this is made in a lightweight drapey 100% cotton lawn. I did the buttonholes at the waist for the drawstring for this one as I was concerned my preferred eyelets would be too heavy for the light fabric.  I also made the drawcord using the rouleau method rather than the double fold described in the pattern as I really wanted to keep the lightweight drapey qualities from the lawn fabric. Despite the fabric for this being thinner and more natural than the dress, I was actually warmer in the jumpsuit for the photos which I was really surprised at. 

How do they fit?

Considering they are both straight as per the pattern, they fit great as always with Itch to Stitch patterns. They fit great on my shoulders, the waist hits exactly at my natural waist, the jumpsuit is easy to get on and the dress can be put on without actually undoing the front buttons so I may have a go at a flat front version in the future.  There are a couple of small adjustments I could make to the next ones such as shortening the inseam of the jumpsuit (a standard adjustment I should have done if I'd double checked the finished inseam measurement before making) and I think taking a slightly smaller seam allowance on the skirt of the dress when using heavier fabrics would be slightly more accommodating when sitting. It's not tight, just snugger than my personal preference. The lawn doesn't have the same restricting feel even though the finished measurement of the jumpsuit hips is smaller than the skirt hips so it's definitely a fabric property thing!

​Tester Inspiration

For more inspiration in various sizes and fabrics, check out some of the other testers versions in the release post HERE

​Project Cost

Full price pattern - (£9.36) $12  - I received the pattern for free in return for testing
Fabric Cost for both - £11 ($14.10)
Notions & Thread for both- £2.50 ($3.20) 

Total Cost for both - £22.86 ($29.30 USD)

Cost to make each additional with similar non designer fabric around £8-£10 ($10.26-$12.82)
​
The Anza Jumpsuit and Dress pattern is on release sale for just $10 (£7.80) until midnight 30th April (Central time) only!

AND don't forget there is now a permanent 'Buy More Save More' automatically applied discount for up to an additional 20% off your basket so perfect excuse to buy a couple more awesome patterns whilst you're there!!

​The Verdict!

I'm so glad I went out of my comfort zone with this jumpsuit, it's so easy and comfortable to wear whilst having the added bonus of keeping the sunburn and/or biting bugs away from my legs! I will be making more of both the dress and the jumpsuit in the future for sure, they are nothing like what I already have in my summer wardrobe or pattern collection and certainly fill a gap and I am even more convinced I could sew an entirely Itch to Stitch wardrobe now!

Related Blogposts

Vienna Tank by Itch to Stitch

Marbella Dress by Itch to Stitch

To buy the Anza pattern, click HERE!

Affiliate links are included throughout this post marked with GREEN TEXT it costs you nothing extra but means I get a few cents if you buy the pattern after clicking through.  I would love it if you could use them if this post has inspired you but feel free to navigate there yourself if you prefer! All opinions expressed on my blog are entirely my own. Thanks, Sarah