There are patterns you sew once, and then there are patterns you sew over and over because they never look like the same garment twice. PALOMA, our women’s bodysuit pattern, clearly belongs to the second category. With 3 necklines, 2 sleeve lengths and an optional slit, one pattern lets you create an entire wardrobe of bodysuits, from the simplest to the most sophisticated. We’ll show you how.
PALOMA, a pattern designed to multiply
The idea behind PALOMA is simple: rather than selling three different patterns for three different bodysuits, why not bring all the variations together in a single pattern? In practical terms, PALOMA offers:
- 3 neckline options: a classic, comfortable round neckline, a low-cut back neckline that beautifully reveals the shoulders, and a more polished stand collar, almost like a “second skin.”
- 2 sleeve lengths: short sleeves for warmer days and long sleeves to extend the season or wear the bodysuit on its own, under a blazer for example.
- an optional slit: a small teardrop- or diamond-shaped opening, placed at the front or back depending on the chosen neckline, which completely changes the look of the garment without making it more difficult to sew.
The result: by combining these three options, PALOMA can create around ten distinctly different versions, from a basic bodysuit for everyday wear to a more sophisticated style for an evening outfit. That’s what makes it such a rewarding sewing investment—a single pattern, a thousand ways to sew it.
Available in sizes 32 to 52, PALOMA is rated as an intermediate-level sewing project: perfect if you’ve already sewn a few knit garments (T-shirts, jersey) and want to improve your neckline application and close-fitting finishes.
👉 Discover the PALOMA women’s bodysuit pattern (also available in a printable or projector-friendly PDF version)
Three necklines, three personalities
PALOMA’s greatest strength is that it adapts to how you want to wear it.
The round neckline, the most versatile option, slips neatly under high-waisted trousers or dungarees without ever gaping. It’s the “wardrobe essential” version, the one you’ll sew in several colors to wear all week long.
The low-cut back neckline takes a feminine approach: worn on its own with wide-leg jeans or a pencil skirt, it draws attention to a delicate chain or a sun-kissed bare back in summer. This is the version to choose when the bodysuit becomes the main feature of the outfit rather than an invisible base layer.
The stand collar, finally, adds a more polished and structured touch. Sewn in a plain knit and worn with high-waisted wide-leg trousers, this version instantly creates a refined, almost ready-to-wear silhouette.
And to add a little more variety, the optional slit can be added to almost all of these variations: a graphic, teardrop-shaped opening that reveals a hint of skin without ever going too far. It’s a simple technical detail to make—a few well-placed stitches—but it radically changes the finished garment’s look.
Which fabric should you choose for your PALOMA?
PALOMA is sewn in stretch knit fabric: jersey, ribbed jersey or lightweight knit with a good percentage of elastane for comfortable support all day long. For your first version, choose a stable cotton jersey that’s neither too thin nor too heavy: it’s easy to handle and forgiving of small cutting imperfections.
Once you’re comfortable with the pattern, have fun experimenting with fabrics: ribbed jersey for a more textured, close-fitting version, a floral print for a style worn on its own in summer, or a plain black knit for an evening stand-collar version. You can also try swimwear lining if you’d like to turn PALOMA into a one-piece swimsuit using technical lycra—the pattern is very well suited to it.
As for supplies, you’ll need a jersey needle, a stretch stitch (narrow zigzag or overlocker) and a few snap fasteners for the crotch, ensuring easy dressing without pulling on the knit fabric.
Our tips for sewing a successful bodysuit
A few details make all the difference between a “homemade” bodysuit and one that looks like it came from a boutique:
- Choose your size based on your actual measurements, without adding ease: a bodysuit is meant to fit closely, which is what gives it its clean silhouette.
- Test your fabric before cutting: stretch a square of your knit fabric in both directions to check that it has enough stretch for a close-fitting garment.
- Test the neckline as your final adjustment: it’s the most technical step in PALOMA, so it’s best to get there with a well-adjusted machine and woolly nylon thread for invisible finishes.
- Take your time with the slit: press the markings before stitching; precision at this stage prevents any risk of fraying.
- Try it on before attaching the snaps: adjust the crotch length to suit your body shape before completing the final finish.
And if a particular step gives you trouble, head to the PALOMA video tutorial, which explains step by step how to sew each neckline and the snap-fastened crotch—a real sewing workshop at home, to follow at your own pace.
👉 Watch the PALOMA bodysuit video tutorial
One pattern, an entire wardrobe
That’s PALOMA’s true strength: sew two or three versions with different options and you’ll have a small collection of bodysuits that look completely different, all from a single pattern investment. A round-neck basic for every day, a low-cut back for going out, a stand collar for more polished outfits—and the optional slit to give any of these versions a twist.
So, which combination will you sew first?
And as always, share your versions with the Ikatee community: seeing all the possible combinations come to life in your hands is our greatest source of sewing inspiration!
