Jalie 3567–Rova Dress and Tunic

This is another one of the new Jalie patterns. This is the Rova dress (or tunic if you are so inclined). It’s a loose fit tank dress with optional pockets and waist casing that can have a tie or elastic. I chose the tie and pockets for my version. I REALLY like it. Like, really like it. This will make a fantastic throw-on dress for summer. The fabric is from Cali Fabrics (it’s here and it’s on sale right now! No, I’m not affliliated at all.). It’s a rayon challis.

 

See the “pockets”? It’s one large, deep pocket. You could keep a cell phone in here and that baby would never fall out!

 

This is how I’ll wear it at work. It’s cold there and a cardigan is perfect with it. This is the Jalie Drop-Pocket cardigan and I made it a long time ago but still wear it regularly.

 

With Jalie’s binding method, you end up with a beautiful finish on the inside and outside. It looks better if the sewist uses the same color bobbin and topstitching thread. *cough, cough

 

This is inside the pocket and, again, with the beauty.

I will be making several more of these for children too. I will probably not make them the tie versions; I will probably just add elastic. A word of warning on this pattern: read the directions because they switch the width of the seam allowances several times. 1/8” for the bias strips, 3/8” for the main construction, 1/4” for applying the binding, etc.

Overall, another damn winner from Jalie. I wish that every once in a while they would mess up and not be such winners. Well, not really because I freaking love their patterns!

KwikSew 3770 - Leggings

Remember when I made these before? I previously made the ankle scrunchy version. I always wanted to make the tuxedo stripe version and I finally had some time this weekend. I used a wicking 4-way polyester stretch as the main fabric and a stretch vinyl for the stripe. I knew thay would fit well because the other pair fit well.

 

The only change I made was to narrow the stripe by about 3/4”. I knew these would be too wide for me as is and this is a normal KS alteration for me. Their patterns always seem to run wide on my body. Anyway, I love the fit and the fun stripe down the leg.

 

There is a tiny bit of extra fabric under the butt but I think it’s fine.

 

And to make up for being a dreary Monday, guess what came in the mail?!?!?! YYYAAASSSSSSS! Who wants to do a Sew Along? I was thinking maybe the Charlie bomber jacket?? Anybody interested??? I want to make one in a bright, bold floral and one in a fancy fabric. I’m not sure what I have in my mind’s eye yet, maybe a quilted wool? A boucle? A sequined fabric? FUR?? 

I’m sure I’ll be sewing up a strom the next week or two. When new Jalie’s come out, I get motivated!! And do let me know if you are interested in some sort of Sew Along!!

Jalie 3674 - Isabelle

How amazing are these new Jalie running/gym tights? I love these so much! They are flattering, comfortable, and include a cool pocket. Mine are not made out of any material from the National City Swap Meet (What???). The solid blue is a Nike Dri-fit fabric from stash. The heather blue and orange are from stash also. There is a gusset so they are super comfy for movement. This is my tester version so their “real” pattern may be slightly different. I love the colorblocking options too. I actually drew these out and colored in different designs to see what I wanted to do. I love the pop of orange.

 

This pocket is in the front at the waist panel and doesn’t have a closure.

 

You stitch into the pocket at the top and can make the opening narrow or wide. I will probably make one pair with a key clip at the bottom because I’m neurotic about losing my keys on the trail. It’s the perfect size for a couple of Gu packets, an ID, and a key or two.

 

Spring is almost here (it’s still in the single digits in the morning) so I’ll be making several of these for the little running people. They love flashy running tights!!

Ottobre, Ottobre, and Jalie

If you’ve been following along on my blog, I’ve been working my way through outfits for each of my girls. This is the girl that wanted a “cozy and comfortable” pair of sweatpants and sweatshirt. She’s all about comfort. Instead of doing that for her, I decided to copy the Ottobre magazine inspiration. It’s still cozy and comfortable but maybe also a little less frump and more stylish? I used Ottobre 04-2016 #34 for the leggings. They are size B140 (the B is the skinny size). The only adjustment I made was to lower the front rise by about 3/4” of an inch. The print top is Ottobre 04-2016 #32 in size 140. I didn’t make any adjustments. The solid purple top is a Merino wool Jalie 2805 in the size 10.

 

Here are the two Ottobre patterns.

 

Here is everything together. She really likes it and it all fits really well. I need to get a picture with it all on.

 

I used a decorative stitch on my new sewing machine for the hem. I like how it adds a little pop of color and matches the trim on the Ottobre top.

 

It is supposed to have a collar but I just folded down and stitched.

 

I used the binder attachment on my coverstitcher. I love how it turned out.

 

I had to topstitch the pockets and used a different decorative stitch on my new machine.

 

These leggings are great. My twins are long and lean and these fit really well. AND they go up to size 170, so that’s exciting!

 

I recently discovered a two-step zig zag on my new machine and I really like it. I used it for the waist and the hems on the legs. It’s not as wide as the three-step zigzag but it it easier to work with than the regular zig zag.

 

I have one more set to show you. And more Jalies to show you too!! I’ve been working hard!!!

Ottobre 02-2017 #8 Slouchy Hoody

So I actually made this quite a while ago, but am only now getting around to reviewing it. I have worn this sweatshirt to death. The pockets are cozy, it’s great with tights, and it’s so comfortable. I think I will make another one of these soon.

 

It has inseam pockets. The directions are very clear in how to do this. I also recently made the Heather dress and the pockets are similar to that so I feel like I already know how to do it.

 

I had to topstitch the hood seam and used a fun decorative seam to do it.

 

The sweatshirt fabric is from the National City Swap Meet. The gray knit ribbing is also from the National City Swap Meet. I love that place!

 

Sometimes, I got the Crazy Eye . . .

Jalie 3670 - Loulouxe Skirt

How ridiculously cute is this pattern? I know I love their first skort (Jalie 2796) and I’ve made it several times. This is like the flirty version of that. I love, love, love the shape and the fun colorblocking opportunities. And pockets!!! Every runner needs that!

 

My version is a blue Supplex and a wild print that I think is a nylon/Lycra knit.

 

The waistband is similar to the other skort and the Cora tights. I really like this waistband finish. It stays in place and it’s super comfortable.

 

There’s no pocket here in the back panel, but man would it be easy to make one just like the Cora tights. Isn’t the back flared piece fun?

 

And a big ol’ deep pocket for phones, Gu, keys, etc. It’s optional, of course, but you could put it on both sides. This pair only has one pocket, but I’ll add two pockets to my next pair.

 

What about you guys?? Have you guys be making any of the new patterns yet??! I see on the FB page that people are busily cutting and sewing!!!

Jalie 3667 - Marie-Claude Raglan Top

Ready for some other shots of the new Jalie patterns? I may have had this pattern for quite a while. I helped sew up a couple tester versions for Jalie. They made some changes after I was done, but it’s the same basic concept. When they said thumbholes and ponytail hole, I was sold. I’ve made a couple of them and wear them all the time. I’m in love with the slouchy turtleneck too though I haven’t made one for myself.

The first is made out of a wicking polyester. I run in this one in the summer.

 

To non-runners, the idea of your ponytail coming through your clothes might seem weird. But, when you are running and you need a little bit of warmth from a hood, a ponytail suddenly becomes quite the dilemma. If you make it a low ponytail, then it gets on your neck and gets all sweaty and gross. I can’t handle that. Also the swish-swish-swish of the back and forth under your clothes can create a horrible rat’s nest. You can also just have a regular-height pony tail but then it’s pushed against the hood and pulls the hood back off your face. I know it seems like a little thing – a ponytail – but when you are running long distances, any small thing can become a huge thing in a hurry.  This is the perfect solution.

 

My second version is made from a Polartec Powerstretch knit. It is so warm, I only run in it on the coldest of days. Some days I run in –5 or –10 degrees Fahrenheit and I use this layer to keep me warm. I also wear it quite a bit just around the house with leggings. It’s so coooozy. (Why is the best picture the one where I’m talking to my husband?)

For these, I made my normal size S. As usual with Jalie, the fit is fabulous! I have a couple other tester garments to show you as well. I also finished up my second outfit for the “Cozy Twin”. I just couldn’t do a sweatshirt so I made a cute tunic with an undershirt. I think she will like it.