Jalie Julia--great way to practice FOE skills!

Want to practice FOE?  This is a great pattern for it!

From the website: 

A: Swing camisole with rounded v-neck and racer back. B: Racerback, pull-on lined bralette with wide under-bust band. Lined with self-fabric or power net, depending on your desired level of support. The cami and bralette are both finished with fold over elastic. C/D: Panties with crossover illusion, fold over elastic finish and choice of high (C) or low waist (D).

This is a super easy Cami pattern.  It's literally two side seams, a hem, and FOE at the edges.

I live the shape of this with the A-line or swing style.

So here's my version. This textured from my stash was a great drapey choice for this.  It isn't much of a stretch of the imagination from the cover photo.

The FOE was from a kit I purchased on ETSY.  It was a grab bag of Lingerie Elastics and I had the perfect length of it to make this top.

For Jalie, you use your Full-Bust measurement and it works.  

I really love the back. I am wearing a strapless bra that isn't the most flattering on me but it's comfortable and it fits. It kept me nice and cool on this hot and humid day.

I see more of these in my future!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Another summer dress--Jalie Nikita

Hi all,

Summer has arrived in full fury and I decided to sew some clothing for the HOT weather.  The pattern I used is the Nikita Workout Tank and Dress.  I made the dress.  Here's an image of the pattern.  

I love the swing style, the racerback and the side seams that end at the front of the dress.  

Here's my make: 

This is made entirely of remnants from other projects.  I consider that to be a free project.  Right?  

This dress is so perfect in hot weather.  It was a high of 96 today with a 'feels like' temp of 112 at its highest.  

I used three fabrics from Stof.  These knits are so amazing.  They sew like a dream.  

I do like the back.  It covers what you need to for a racer-back bra.  It doesn't cover it all, but enough.  

Here is a closer-up of the front.  The bands are very narrow.  I typically like my bands a bit wider.  When I made another version, I will widen these by about a 1/2".  For Jalie patterns, use your full-bust measurement.  It works.

Here's a bit closer of the back.  You can see how the front panel starts at the back.

I can't wait to try the workout top!

Thanks for reading!

Sue

More unselfish sewing--Elliot gets a new coat

Hello and Happy Holidays!

This past week, I finished a winter coat for grandson #2.  This one is Elliot, he is VERY 2, and he has my heart wrapped around his little finger.  All the way around.

Isn't this little monkey cute?  I made his coat a bit differently than the one I made for his older brother, Simon.  

Again, I used Jalie 2108 or the Puffer.  

The most notable difference is that I used fleece to line part of this jacket: hood, collar, pockets.  I like how it matches with the gray contrast fabric.  

I also decided to insert elastic at the waist of the lining.  

Yes, this coat is big on him.  I made the size G (2nd to the smallest size) based on his height and tummy measurements.

I didn't have him here at any time to try this for fit.  I am thinking it will fit next year as well.  :) 

These water repellent fabrics are from Mood.  I so highly recommend them!  Great to work with!  Just watch the temp of your iron and test the heat levels.

I was hoping to find a gray zipper but my local JoAnns is very limited on its selection.  Argh.  The plaid lining or flannel also came from JoAnns.  That blue was the closest I could get to the cobalt blue.  They didn't have a gray plaid as a choice.  It works.  

I do like this pattern, except for the wrist bands, but I haven't thought of a better way to put those together yet.  They will work well over mittens and then you can cinch them up.  

Of course, Jalie patterns are well designed and drafted and Elliot didn't want to take his new coat off.  That little monkey.

Thanks for reading!

Sue

Unselfish sewing--winter is coming!

I really have been sewing, I know I haven't been blogging as much as I should but my sewing machine isn't getting too dusty!  

With winter fast approaching, I knew my grandsons needed some winter coats.  I chose this pattern from Jalie.  It's been around for a while, but it's a goodie!  

 

Would you look at how warm and cozy that looks?  

I made this for my oldest grandchild, Simon.  He is just five and getting him to model took some bribery with a piece of Halloween candy.  I have no shame using bribery to get a little kid to smile and cooperate for a photo shoot.  How about you?

Notable differences--my batting wasn't as heavy as what is shown on the pattern.  I had a thinner batting in my hand and thought with a smaller piece, it would be easier to wrangle.  This has plenty of layers--four total (2 of heavy flannel, one of batting, and one of the outer wind and water resistant shell.  

Simon wanted to wear his new hat as he modeled so I let him.  Isn't he a cutie pants?

Color blocking this coat was fun.  I knew I wanted to use the red for him and toyed with numerous contrast choices until I settled on the 'silver'.  The shell fabric is from Mood Fabrics.  They had a nice selection, it was on sale, and wow is this stuff nice to work with!  The red plaid is from my stash.

That collar!  It is so nice and high, snugs around your face and neck to keep the wind out.  Plus with the well-designed hood that is detachable, you are warm and ready for the winter winds and snow.   As Simon is demonstrating, the pockets are very nice and roomy.  He was really shoving his hands down deep.  He even mentioned that he really liked this 'new' coat compared to his 'old' coat.  (I made both, but the old one is getting a bit small).  He loved it so much that when we went back into his house, he took it off and tossed it on the floor.  Nice.

Here is a photo of the insides.  I omitted the elastic waistband on the inside and the toggles at the side seam.  The color-blocking at the front neck area was a fix as I had accidentally scorched the fabric on the collar and front.  I put both the coat and my iron in time-out for a bit and then figured out a fix.  This worked.  Plus, it pulls together the two colors I used.

You can see the elastic and velcroed cuffs below.  What I should have taken a photo of was the ribbing I added to the inner cuff to keep the wind and snow out.  That made the sleeve super thick with eight layers to sew through.  More than once I did question my sanity, but in the end, it will be worth the little bit on agony that caused me.

This was a fun make.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and am going to create a blue/silver one for Elliot, who's two and a half.  It warms my heart to see my grand-kids wearing clothing I've made them.

I hope you are enjoying creating some fun cold weather garments!  

Thanks for reading!

Sue :)

Jalie Rose top

Have you seen the recent new Jalies?  This one, with all the cute makes, caught my eye!

This, as you can see, is a classic button down with modern styling.  

I used a telio woven from my stash.  I really love the colors and the floral pattern of this.  The collar is a lightweight denim from my stash.

This pattern is exceptionally well-drafted (as usual for Jalie).  The directions are fantastic (as usual for Jalie).

Directions have you use your full-bust for the size you choose.  I made a W.

The fit is spot on, at least I think it is!

I lowered the bust dart by almost an inch.  I deviated the hem line a bit as it is written.  

I added a pocket but it's hard to see on this busy print.  I even cut it on the bias but it's still somewhat camouflaged.  I can see making many more of these and especially if I lengthen this to a dress length and add pockets!

I hope you are making some great summer garments!

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Sewing for Elaina

Sewing for little people is so much fun!  It takes minimal fabric when they are this little and I just get the giggles at how cute and little everything is!  

This little cutie is my granddaughter, Elaina.  She just turned one a few days ago.  That little smirk on her face tells a lot about her personality.  :)  As you can see, she lives in a MUCH warmer climate than I do.  I can't even thing about bare feet outdoors right now.  

Isn't she the cutest?  I used three different patterns to create this little ensemble.  

Let's start with the little jacket.  Yes, it is too big for now.  I am hoping by fall it will fit her well.  

Here is the pattern I used for the jacket: 

Based on Elaina's measurements, I made her a medium.  Look how much too large it is!  I don't mind growing room for little people and she definitely has plenty of room for this to fit for a long time.  

This is a breeze to put together.  Of course you can see I added a ruffle to the hem.  All I did for that was to measure 2.5 times the length, cut a strip the width I wanted, pleat it with the gathering/pleating foot, and done!  

Since I am very limited on local fabric shops and only have JoAnn's to shop from for zippers for a garment like this  I was unable to find an appropriate zip.  These hook and eyes were from my stash. 

 

That face, it just kills me!  She is giving her mommy a look of concern, isn't she?

How how quickly emotions change when you are a year old!

Next, let's talk about the onesie.  Here is the pattern I used: 

How adorable is this?  I love the way the shoulders are constructed and the optional little details to make it fun.   

And look at that fabric!  Every girl needs something leopard print, I don't care how old you are.  ;)  

This fits so true to size.  I made a 12 month size and it fits her great!  Jalie truly knows how to create patterns and directions for home sewers.  This is no exception.  I only wish it came in adult sizes! 

Plenty of diaper room!  Cute little gathers on the sleeve caps.  

Those pig tails!  My daughter, Elaina's mommy, choose these three fabrics for this outfit.  This leopard print was a little thin so to reinforce the area for the snaps, I used some interfacing.  I cut it the width of the binding and it worked perfectly.  I used my Kam snap pliers and some clear snaps for easy diapering.  Aren't little fat rolls adorable on babies?

Lastly, I'll share the legging pattern.  

I previously made the dress in version C.  You can see that here: Simplicity 8304

 These leggings are made from a mid-weight ponte.  They were also made in a 12 month size and they are very long!  My daughter cuffs them.  She'll have plenty of room to grow into these!  

I really love sewing for children.  It's fast and fun and they look so adorable!  All my fabrics were from Fabric Mart and are featured on my blog post at their site for this month.  Head on over and check out their selections!  

Thanks for reading!  I do so love your comments!

Sue