by Yvette Chilcott This time of year the outdoor temperatures can make it hard to decide what to wear. Layers help. And Jalie has plenty of sewing patterns to choose from. Here I’m wearing Eleonore pull-on jeans (modified to suit my body), the tee is the new Tina, and over it all for warmth is Karine. I’ll describe them, one at a time.
Fabric Width: 55 in (140 cm) Fabric Care: Machine Washable Contents: 70% Cotton 27% Polyester 3% Spandex Weight: 10.3481 OZ / 210 GSM
I prewashed it and it laundered really well with very little shrinkage. The 3% spandex makes the fabric stretch JUST enough for the pattern, but I suggest up-sizing by 1 size if you like a bit of extra room. (or dessert).
I’ve lost track of how many of these I’ve made for myself.
One of the reasons I sew, and teach others to sew, is knowing that one-size doesn’t fit all, and each body is shaped slightly differently. I’m able to adjust sewing patterns so that the garments I sew for myself FIT.
When I sew Eleonore, I raise the rise to they come to my waist, and I reduce the back crotch to suit my flat backside. The depth of the front pockets, (an add-on from Jalie’s website) has also been increased.
I used my serger for much of the construction and a 12-weight cotton thread in black for the top-stitching.
Fabric Width: 59 in (150 cm) Fabric Care: Machine Washable Contents: 95% Rayon 5% Spandex Weight: 13.762 OZ / 260 GSM
I prewashed it and it laundered well with a bit of shrinkage, which I expected. I do find it quite thin and VERY stretchy. It feels soft to wear and will be nice for hot days.
Jalie’s 4672
This pattern is a new one from Jalie and I’m in love. With 28 sizes and all those versions, it’s going to become my go-to sewing pattern for tees and tops. The fit is fairly close to the body. To choose a flattering size, I suggest you measure the finished width of a similar top that you like the fit of and compare it to the included chart in the instructions. I’ve sewn a few of these for myself and also find that the fabric choice makes a huge difference in the fit.
Again, I sew to fit my own body and made 3 adjustments; I added 1-inch to the finished length, (I’m 5 ft 10). I’m also getting a round upper back and made a 1-inch adjustment there. (I’ll write a tutorial and post it on my Substack page.) I’ve noticed that when shoulders round, often the front at the neck sits a bit high, so I dropped the front neck by 1-inch and recalculated the length of the neck band. I’m really happy with my new top.
Because the fabric was so soft and stretchy, I stabilized the front shoulders before joining them as well as all the hems before using a narrow cover-stitch.
The fabric has a definite direction.
The Fabric: Diamond Knit Jacquard – NOVARA – 002 – Off-white
The fabric feels quilted, and has a bit of a “synthetic” feel, but when worn, is really warm and cozy. I pre-washed it and it washed well with no shrinkage or pilling.
I love the way this cardigan fits me. No fitting adjustments were made to this one, it suits me just the way it is. I made the full length version with 4 snaps on the front band as a closure. The front pockets are generous. In this photo you can see the quilted texture of the fabric.
I used my serger for all the construction with the exception of attaching the front pockets, and a wide cover-stitch for the hems. It was an easy fabric to work with.
I’m really happy with my new Spring wardrobe and I’m sure I’ll get plenty of wear from all 3 pieces. They get along together very well. If you have any thoughts or questions, look for me on Substack, I write as SewWhatYvette.
