I’m no stranger to little indie pattern companies – I loveeee Colette & Sewaholic patterns, and I LOVE when I can get away with not buying current Big 4 patterns (yeah! Stickin’ it to the man!). However, I’ve never sewn with a Jalie pattern before – and I honestly wasn’t planning on it, really, until Mikhaela had to show me up in her amazing scarf collar knit top, the top that made me so jealous I actually saw red for about 3 seconds. The pattern was Jalie 2921 and I NEEDED IT. And, so, uhm, I bought it. Pattern ban? What pattern ban? It’s (almost)my birthday, I deserve this.
I’ve actually been sitting on this pattern for about 2 weeks – blame the delay on my Bombshell-frenzy. I was finally able to sit down last night & start cutting… and sewing! I finished this lil number in record time, forreal! And it barely used any fabric. Hey-o, new favorite pattern!
A couple of thoughts on Jalie – while the pattern was easy-easy to put together into a cute finished shirt (and the finishing is sooo coooool, you just wait & see!), the instructions were extremely short & sparse. The pictures were difficult for my pinhead-brain to decipher, although obviously I was able to figure it out eventually. I also do not like the way these patterns are packaged (sorry!) – it came in a shrink-wrapped plastic sleeve, with a large color photo of the pattern front, and the pattern pieces printed on heavy white paper & folded neatly. There was no actual envelope to store the pattern pieces in. Not a huge deal – since I ordered this from fabric.com, I just used the envelope it was shipped in. But it did give me pause, since normally envelopes aren’t something I just happen to have on hand. Also, the sizing/yardage information was difficult to read, since it’s in both French & English, and the sizing varies from baby to big momma. But hey – at least it was easy to cut out! And no, I didn’t trace this sucker AT ALL. No hate for the pattern tracers, I just don’t want to put for the effort and anyway, I don’t mind buying another pattern if I need another size (it’s a small business! I support y’all!). I did save the rest of the sizes that I cut away, so I guess I can tape it back together if I need to. Not that I plan on sewing this for anyone else, heh heh heh.
For sizing, I cut an R & tapered out to a T at the bust & lower armhole, then back down to an R at the shoulder & neckline. I think it fits pretty perfectly with no other alterations! Yeah!
Of course, Landon thinks the fabric is too loud. I guess it is kind of hiddy, but I love it anyway!. It’s some super stretch polyester I bought from Walmart like 5 years ago. We are considering this my wearable muslin.
I do love the tie-neck, but my fabric is a bit too heavy so the bow droops pretty bad. Next time I make this, I will use something lighter… and probably shorten the ties, as I think they are a bit long.
The construction on this top is pretty cool (once I figured it out, I mean). It leaves a nice clean inside at the neckline- no seams! So pretty!
I hemmed the sleeves & the bottom with a twin needle on my regular ol’ sewing machine.
Here is your photo-story for the day:
Notice those pretty rosebushes in my background? Weeeeell they belong to my neighbors, and I’ve been eyeballing them pretty hard since they started blooming. They smell AMAZING, btw (and I have lots of honeysuckle on the other side of my house – so, despite living in a shitty neighborhood, it smells delicious right outside my front door lol). The light has always been way too harsh right there, though, which is why you get porch pictures. Today is overcast, so I thought I’d take advantage of those roses!
Until I heard a car driving down my (dead-end)street.
And then I realized they were not turning around, but actually parking.
Right next to the rose bushes, that they were going to trim.
“Well, this is awkward.”
Picture me high-tailing the fuck back into my house (they were STARING at me!).
AWKWARD.
So, sorry about the lack of decent pictures.
Here I have photoshopped out the wrinkles in my skirt, I hope that makes up for it.
LLADYBIRD 
Totally gorgeous & the fabric is perfect – looks ace. As always SUPER impressed with your in-pattern adjusting & how the muslin turns out so tip top.
Btw, BOMBSHELL (yours) was in my dreams last night, in a good way – I think you were giving me a lesson (or kick in the pants) so I could finish mine for a wedding next month – it’s not going to happen otherwise!!!
Ooh, I love this pattern too! When it comes together, it’s an ah-ha moment! I’ve made two, but may make more. They are perfect for work, and the collar looks great over a cardigan.
How cute is this little top?! Great job!
I’ve been eyeing this Jalie pattern for awhile. I keep telling myself that I don’t need any new patterns, but now it’s back at the forefront of my wish list. Oh, and trimming those rose bushes?! Right now while they’re in bloom? What a shame.
Oh, no, I think you need it. You can justify it by telling yourself you’re helping small businesses thrive – that’s what I do, haha!
And I know! Although they were much more full of roses before the rain beat down on them over the weekend. I hope the roses are still there when I get home. Although, I think I’m too terrified to ever take a picture in front of them again aha
I don’t think the fabric is hiddy at ALL… although on me it probably would be… but on YOU it totally rocks! 😀 You should wear bright pink more often, it looks stellar on you! 🙂
Steal some of those roses, woman! Have them in your life! I’m a flower stealer, I have no shame.
This is lovely. I love this. I need this pattern, obviously. Never mind all the patterns I have, this one is just awesome on you, so I need it. Duh.
I *need* that top – I’m so short on them, and I’d even wear it in the scary bright pink (have you SEEN my hair?) My local fabric shop sells some truly heinous stretch fabrics, and this top is crying out for me to make it in one of them (I’m thinking the green giraffe print, no, really….)
Green giraffe print with your hair??? UHM YES PLEASE!!!
This is such a saucy little top!! Sexy secretary much? I kind of love the “late 90’s does the 70’s” Psychedelic print!! Its the sort of thing that will be a lot of fun to pull out for a nice bright pop!
Very nice, and the fabric really makes it. I made that top before out of an ugly practice knit. I need to make it again.
That top is just gorgeous! The colors, the style, so pretty ❤
I swear you look adorable in EVERYTHING!!!!!!
I’m absolutely loving this- there is no such things as too crazy a pattern in my world (actually, I lie. there is. but it takes a fair bit to reach that point) I’ve never heard of JAlie before so shall check them out!
Ooh pretty! I’ve had this top on my wishlist for a while. I’ll grab it someday. You look super cute, and don’t listen to your man, it’s not too loud! It’s really cool!
I love your daisy necklace so much!
The print is so loud and unlike anything I have ever see you make but I like it. Especially the bow!
oh hooray! I love that print and you look awesome in the top. it’s so fun to make isn’t it? now ALL my secret sewing doubles are wearing the SAME TOP. I even was wearing it when I read this review…
Hahahaha I love that you were wearing it while you read this… when I read your comment, I was actually finishing up my second version of the pattern. Now this is just getting out of hand :B
That top is adorable!! I think I need the pattern. And I LOVE the print.
Love that fabric – I’m a big fan of psychadelia.