Jalie 3132 Hoodie top

Add caption

I am so in love with Jalie patterns that I am repeating some of them simply because that are just that awesome!  Here is round two of Jalie 3132 known as the regular or nursing top, with or without hood. 

Fabric Used:
Really nice gray/cocoa stripe I purchased from Marcy Tilton.  Everything about the fabric is amazing from cutting out to top stitching.  Love this fabric!

Directions:
Absolutely awesome, all you need are the visuals.  I made a few minor adjustments and I'll highlight those below. 

How did the final garment turn out?
I think it looks a lot like the photo on the pattern cover.  Of course, I couldn't add well enough alone so I added a simple, understated silkscreen print along on one side that you can see below.  

Alterations/modifications:
My usual 1/2" swayback adjustment. 
I added 1'4" clear elastic to the shoulder seams to stabilize them.
I lengthened the sleeves by about 3 or so inches.  I decided to add a little detail by putting a 'cuff' on the sleeve and running the stripe the opposite direction from the sleeve
The kangaroo pocket stripe is also running a different direction
Eliminated the drawstring on the hood.  They tend to get knotted up in the washer and honestly other than using a shoelace or making a narrow tube, I didn't think it would add all that much?

Likes/Dislikes:
Love the hood, it is just the right size. 
Love the waist and how it follows the curve of your body rather than leaving you with a boxy garment
Did I mention it is comfortable?
No dislikes at all!

Recommendation?
Oh yes, I plan on making this again.  It is just an awesome, easy to wear, comfortable top.  I love both versions I have made. 

Conclusion:
A winner!  Try it!

Thanks for reading...
Sue

Jalie 2919 Cardigan

I love this cardigan, I always have and now I finally own one!  Here is my review of Jalie 2919. 

Description:
Women's long-sleeved drapey cardigan (A) or vest (B) with shawl collar and figure-flattering pleated detailing from the shoulder seam to the waist.  

Pattern Sizing:
Jalie is awesome with 27 sizes all in one envelope.  Toddler to plus sizes.  

Fabric used:
I LOVE this fabric I purchased from Marcy Tilton.  It is an orangy-red with gray stripes.  It is the perfect mid-weight knit with great stretch and recovery.  I highly recommend this fabric!  I really want to try it in a mesh type fabric just to see the difference in how it fits and lays.  

Directions:
As usual with Jalie, the visual directions are all you need in order to create a great cardigan.  No head scratching moments.  The only thing to remember is that with Jalie patterns you use 1/4" seams.
I love how the front drape is attached.  It looks professional and the width of it is perfect.  It snugs up to your neck in the back, perfect for fall!

Likes/Dislikes:
Likes:
I love the style, the length of it, the drape and the pleats on the front.  
This cardigan also has some waist-line shaping instead of being long and boxy.  Definitely a plus for me.  
Dislikes:
The sleeves are exceptionally long.  I shortened them by 2.5 inches and feel they are perfect.  The models' sleeves are also really long so I wasn't too surprised I needed to shorten them.   

Modifications:
My usual 1/2" sway back adjustment.  
None really, although in hindsight, I should have stabilized the shoulder seam with clear elastic.  I should go back and do that before I forget or wear it ten times! 
I double stitched the hemlines and top stitched the front seam where the drape attaches to the front and neck.   

Recommendations:
I so love this pattern!  Ever since I saw another PR reviewer make it in a stripe, I knew I needed to do the same thing!  I so love it!  It would be great with leggings and the length is really awesome.  I am 5'7" and found it perfect, so if you are shorter, you may want to measure or adjust the length of the sleeves and hem.  

Conclusion:
Another winner from Jalie.  I just can't seem to get enough of Jalie lately.  Such wonder patterns that are exceptionally well drafted and come together beautifully.  Had I not been watching Grey's Anatomy and Scandal, I could have completed this in two or so hours from cutting out to clipping the last thread!  I can't wait to try the vest, it is super cute as well!  

Thanks so much for reading!
Sue 

Sew Liberated Schoolhouse Tunic

Pattern Description:  Here is a description from the back of the envelope: Stylish, flattering, and quick to sew, the Schoolhouse Tunic is a versatile addition to your wardrobe.  This pattern lets you make a tunic to wear as a dress of over jeans--or make a shirt.  The Schoolhouse Tunic features front and back pleats, 3/4-length sleeves with optional elastic gathering at the cuff, and an open bodice perfect for layering over your favorite camisole or tank.

Pattern Sizing: sizes 2 to 20 are included in one envelope.  I started with the 14-16 and ended up taking it in about 4 inches.  Keep that in mind if you decide to make this up. 

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Why yes, I think it does!

Were the instructions easy to follow?
Directions are super easy.  I actually decided to read them since I am unfamiliar with this pattern company.  Any beginner could pick this up and if you follow the directions closely, you'll have a nice garment. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I really liked the styling.  It is super casual but yet fun.  DH said it was a little too hippy-dippy for him.  Honestly, I've never heard him say this before so I am a little stumped as to what he actually means and at the moment I can't press him too much as American Pickers is on. 
I disliked how big and floppy this top runs. 

Fabric Used:
I used this beautiful rayon blend I purchased a the American Quilt Society show in Des Moines last weekend.  The sales person was the guy that designed it.  I wish I would have kept the receipt as I really like it and it was a breeze to sew.  I have no idea how to contact him for future purchases.  :( 

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I took in the front and made vertical pleats six inches long that ran parallel to the stitching that holds down the bodice facing.  It helped but I do think I could have taken the skirt in as well.
I ended up making the back darts bigger by one inch each and then making vertical darts three inches long that intersect at the waist seam.
Just for fun, I used variegated thread when topstitching.
There wasn't any interfacing and I added it to the facing pieces to give the bodice a little more shape.
I stay stitched the neck edge prior to attaching the facings.    

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
For me, I won't sew it again, but if one of my daughters wanted one, I'd create it for them.  It is a fun style, but let's face it, one is enough.  I do recommend this to others if you need an instant gratification project.  If you are a beginner, it is great as there are no zippers or button holes. 

Conclusion:
This was a fun to construct and easy to whip up top.  I made a promise to myself to break out of my shell and sew patterns from Indy companies rather than my usual Vogue that I love so much.  The only problem is that many of the Indies are spendy.  I forked out 15 bucks for this pattern and usually I can find the big 4 patterns for less than four dollars each.  Now I know why I tend to stick with what I know.  :)  

Jalie Women's City Coat

Hello!  I have to say, I LOVE this jacket.  It isn't really a coat as there is no way it is warm enough for winter (unless you live in Florida or Texas).  It is a perfect layering piece for fall and that is what I intended it for. 


Here is a description from the back of the pattern:

Three-quarter length coat with choice of standing collar or hood.  Button-front, flattering front and back princess seams and on-seam front pockets.  

There are 27 sizes all in one pattern!

Fabric Used:
An absolute wonderful stretch denim I purchased in St Paul, Minnesota @ Treadle Yard Goods.  I had no idea what my plan was for using it but the colors, the drape, the stretch and recovery were so very awesome I had to have it!  I covered my own buttons with scraps of the lime green circles of the denim fabric. 





Directions:
The directions were excellent.  I didn't have to read anything, I just looked at the pictures.  They are that good!  The order of construction was also logical and well thought out.  

Likes/Dislikes:
Love the pattern drafting.  It is just amazing.  It fits so well, has just the right amount of ease and all the notches lined up perfectly.  What else would you expect from Jalie?
Love how the collar is put together.  I feel like it looks very professional.  
Love the on-seam front pockets.  No girth added to the hips!

Dislikes: 
The sleeves are exceptionally long.  I am 5'7" and the sleeves were too long for me.  I thought they looked long when I cut them out and yes, yes they were.  
As the directions are written, there needs to be a way to stitch down the back facing to the jacket itself.  I wore this jacket all weekend and the facing needed adjusted when I put it on and took it off.  I think stitching it down and following the curve of the facing will take care of that.  
Speaking of facings, the on-seam pockets aren't attached to anything.  I incorporated them into the front button holes on one side and they are tacked under the buttons on the other side.  
I need to come up with a solution to the front facings.  They also need firmly attached to the front so they don't flop.  

Modifications:
Shortened the sleeves by almost 2 inches.  When you look at the model's picture, her sleeves look exceptionally long as well.  I shouldn't have been surprised I need to shorten them.  
That's it!  

Recommendations:
I so LOVE this pattern.  It was so fun and easy to put together!  It stitched up beautifully and there wasn't any fiddling with the collar, sleeves, or finish.  
Maybe a beginner could tackle this with okay results, but I believe you need a little sewing experience to execute this well.   

Conclusion:
Everything you expect from Jalie is present in this pattern.  It is awesome!  I can totally see it made in fleece, quilted fabric, stretch wool, to name a few choices.  While the pattern calls for fabric with 201% crosswise stretch, you could most likely get by without it.  

Thanks for reading!
Sue