To sew Sirocco, you’ll need a knit fabric (jersey or interlock) with at least 60% stretch* and containing elastane. Elastane, which you can also find under the names lycra or spandex, is necessary for the fabric to spring back to its original shape after it has been stretched. It’s particularly important for Sirocco, as you put in on through the neckline: without elastane, the waistband would stretch as you wear it, the neckband would start gaping, and the knees and back of the jumpsuit would drop more and more as the day goes by. Be careful: stretch percentage is different from elastane percentage, and is measured directly from a swatch of fabric! Note that it is not necessary for Sirocco to have a 4-way stretch knit, only horizontal stretch, but if your fabric has 4-way stretch your jumpsuit will be even more comfortable 😉
Coton-elastane jersey knit is the go-to choice for Sirocco, but for more structure you can also use interlock. Unlike jersey, which is knitted in a single layer and features a “v” pattern on the right side of the fabric and little waves on the wrong side, interlock is knitted in two layers and features the “v” pattern on both sides. Interlock knits, Ponte and Milano (which are two types of interlock originating from Italy) are thus heavier and thicker than jersey knits.
For a drapier result, consider blends containing rayon or wool, which add fluidity to the fabric. Avoid linen jersey however, as it would’nt have enough body. In any case, aim for medium-weight fabrics rather than lightweight (at least 6oz. or 200g/m²), so you feel covered enough. And if you feel like experimenting, why not give stretch velvet a try for a wintery jumpsuit?
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Nothing classier than a jumpsuit in a solid color, for a monochrome look from head to toes. For the black version worn by Camille, we used the organic jersey knit from Lebenskleidung, which is an amazing quality but a little on the lightweight side. For a similar fabric with a little more body, we particularly like the jersey knit from the French website Rascol, Oeko-Tex certified and offered in 44 different colors!
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Many of you loved the flamingo jersey knit from Ma Petite Mercerie that we used for the Sirocco romper worn by Diane. But prints are not only for the romper version! Just check out the lovely jumpsuits sewn by Eléonore and Elodie. To follow their example, favor small to medium-sized prints, and be mindful of the print direction when cutting 😉
* There was a typo in early versions of the pattern which indicated 30 to 40% stretch, which is enough for the jumpsuit to be wearable and comfortable, but not always enough to pull it over the hips when putting it on! If your fabric has less than 60% stretch but you want to use it to sew Sirocco, we suggest basting the left side of the jumpsuit on step 2-9 to try it on: if you have trouble pulling the waistband past your hips, you can then simply insert an invisible zipper on that side to make it easier to put on.
Camille, April 24 2019
Hi Jennifer. Your bamboo/lycra jersey should be great for a summer Sirocco! Your jumpsuit will look different from our samples, it will be drapier and will cling to the body a little more, but it should be just as cute. You can find several examples of Sirocco jumpsuits made out of bamboo/lycra jersey under the #ddsirocco hashtag on Instagram 🙂
Jennifer Sandoval, April 20 2019
Yikes! I see you spoke about body and I just spent a small fortune on 240gsm bamboo/Lycra jersey. It’s so drapey, beautiful, high quality, and very breathable in this Las Vegas heat!
Is it too drapey? I wanted something cooling, drapey, with saturated colors and this was it. I bought some Art Gallery fabrics in case and have a ton of Znok, Lillestoff, plus other euro knits in my stash.
Any advice? I’m not in love with ponte in this summer heat. It can easily get to 120 degrees Fahrenheit out here, and I’m all about my tencels for wovens and bamboo for knits.