EXPANDING MY FASHION BUSINESS WITH READY-TO-WEAR ANKARA CHIC JUMPSUIT STYLES

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It's your favorite girl @debbie-ese 😍
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In this post I will be sharing with you how I made a smocked jumpsuit using ankara fabrics. The jumpsuit is part of my new collection of ready-to-wear that I want to put out for sale. I shared with you all some weeks back that I'm trying to expand beyond doing business with only walk-in customers that want to sew custom made outfits but also dedicate more effort into producing ready-to-wear that can be sold online and even in the shop for passerbys.

In my last production, I made sets of 2 piece, crop tops and pants but now I'm making sets of jumpsuits in different colors of ankara fabrics. It's not easy combining ready-to-wear business with custom made orders but it is one of the prices to pay for expansion and growth in business.

Materials needed

• 4 yards of ankara fabric
• Elastic thread for smocking
• Matching threads
• Tailoring chalk
• Pressing iron

Step by step

• These are the following measurements we will be using bust – 38", underbust – 32", waist – 30", hips – 42", bust point – 8", full length – 60", knee - 18", thigh – 25".
  

• First, I started working on the smocked bodice. I drafted the bust measurement which is 38" on the ankara fabric and added extra 10" which will serve as the shrinking inch for smocking.

• Then I moved on to cut out a rectangular piece which is 48" wide and 13" long. The 13" is the bust point (8") plus 5" that will serve the purpose of seam allowance and finishing.
  

• Next, with the right sides facing up, smock the ankara fabrics horizontally across the width. You can smock the fabric until you reach your desired depth or based on the customer's specification.

• The effects of the smocking is to shrink the fabric. I have posted a two-piece that I smocked the top and trouser. You may check it - HERE

• Now that you are done smocking, you will then fold the fabric with the right sides facing each other and join the side seams together.
  

• The above step will give you a stretchy tube-shaped bodice.

• Now, we will draft the next part of the jumpsuit which is the pants by using our waist - 30", hips - 42", thigh - 25", knee - 18", full length - 60" measurements.

• You will start by folding your fabric so as to cut the two pant legs on fold. You may have to reduce the width slightly at the waist of the pant piece so that it can easily fit perfectly to the base of the smocked bodice. Remember we are aiming at a perfectly finished work.
  

• Next, join the seams of the pants together and attach the smocked bodice to it.

• We will add straps to the bodice to give it support by cutting about 15" long and 2" wide ankara fabrics, then fold and sew it into tubes. Then give it a good press and attach to the front and back of the smocked bodice.

• Next, try on the jumpsuit on yourself or your mannequin to check if there are any minor adjustments.

• Then do the finishing touches by weaving the base of the pants using your weaving/overlocking machine and give the dress a good press all round.
  

• Your ankara smocked jumpsuit is ready.

Thanks for reading and see you in my next one.

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