Wednesday, April 7, 2010

My First Jalie

Can someone tell me why I've never tried any Jalie patterns before? It's not like I don't know people who've used them, and I've read review after review (and I'm not even talking about the jeans pattern). But until now, I've never given them a try.

Now that I know what I've been missing, I need to accumulate a few more of these babies.

Because I'm up to my earlobes in more theater sewing, I'm going to be lazy and copy my Patternreview here.

Pattern Description: Women's knit tops with scarf collar attached with a buckle (A), through opening at center front (B) or tied in a bow (C). Sleeveless or with short or three-quarter sleeves. I made view A, with short sleeves. Here's a closeup of the neckline, with the buckle.

Pattern Sizing: Jalie sizes R through FF, or 33" to 50" bust. I made a size V (equivalent to 37" bust) but I think I could have gotten away with size U.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes. Here's a photo on me and one on Evelyn. The sign of a good pattern - that it looks as good on me as it does on my much smoother dress form.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Extremely easy - especially after years of sewing with Burda. Illustrations are nice, and words and sentence structure that make them unnecessary are even better. There's a way that they attach the collar by rolling the entire top INSIDE the collar and pulling it out through one open end that actually made sense WITHOUT the illustration. Very cool.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? No dislikes at all. I may have finally been converted to Jalie, which I've resisted up to this point, mainly because I have a wall of pattern magazines and it seemed like a shame to fall for yet another line of independent patterns. Mea culpa!

Fabric Used: Poly/lycra blend from my local store's dollar table. I bought it thinking I would make something for a friend, but that never happened and I decided to use it to give this pattern a trial run. This is beyond a wearable muslin. Here's a back view.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None at all. Straight out of the envelope. There's only one change I would make next time - I mentioned above about the burrito-wrap you have to do to get the clean collar, and while it works really well as is, pulling the top out of one tie end and then sewing the tie closed by hand was my least favorite part. Next time, I think I'll leave the opening a little further up and sew the bottom of the tie closed - I think it will be less noticeable hidden further up the seam. I understand it was probably done this way because most people won't want to sew MOST of the seam, stop, and then pick up again 2 inches later to get a better finish, but I think it would be well worth the effort, especially depending on your fabric. My contrast black doesn't show much in the way of stitching, but a lighter color definitely would.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Absolutely, and absolutely. Although this is a recently issued pattern and there are already 23 reviews, so I'm not sure how strongly I need to recommend it.

Conclusion: A great addition to the work wardrobe, and a use - finally! - for all those little buckles that seem to have multiplied in the notions drawer.

13 comments:

Lori said...

Very pretty top, it is a wonderful pattern.

Myra said...

Very nice, and Jalie is great. I love the criss cross top for my daughter and have some others to try soon.

Little Hunting Creek said...

I love Jalie - this is a GREAT pattern.This top is beautiful. You're right - they have wonderful instructions, too

Vicki said...

Very pretty top. I think I will try this with my KS pattern.

Karin van Dam said...

I never tried jalie yet, but this top is lovely indeed, so maybe, now I hear your enthusiastic review I should try it out. You look great in it!

senaSews said...

Beautiful top! I think i should give it a try, too.

Connie B said...

VERY flattering! I don't have that particular pattern, but I love Jalie! I coulldd bring the jean pattern along in May if you want. Let me know.

gwensews said...

Terrific top! It's wonderful to find a pattern company that works perfectly for you.

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

Very cute! I have not tried Jalie either, though people have me believing I could just sit down and make a pair of jeans from their pattern.

Dawn said...

Now you know why I love them so much!

Kitty Couture said...

Karen, I love your top! The knit is fabulous. I have a Jalie pattern and haven't used it (yet) either.

Have a good weekend!

Anonymous said...

Very pretty top. I love that print!

Linda L said...

Great fitting top. Love the use of the contrast for the neck tie.