Almost the same: Jalie 2921 Scarf Top

I've made this top before, with this fabric (different color).

I know a good combo when I see one.

The pattern is Jalie 2921, which I made into a top and a dress earlier in the year. This time I'm back to the top version, and the only change I made this time was to shorten the ties by 5 inches. I like this change so much that my earlier versions may get the chop.

Since I can't tie a bow, I have to leave the ties long, and I find that they just get in the way. I'm constantly getting them wet while I'm doing dishes or washing the girls hair, and I've almost cut them off more than once while sewing.

The fabric is the Uber Soft Rayon Blend Jersey from GorgeousFabrics.com. She's all out of the peacock, but there's still some magenta (same as my first top) and army green. This stuff is amazingly soft - it makes me want to hug myself!

Jalie 2921 - Top to Dress

I was very pleased with this dress when I first finished it, but now I'm not so sure.

I love the fabric - Italian Rayon Double Knit in Rhumba red from GorgeousFabrics.com.  It feels great, nice stretch and recovery, and a beautiful deep red color.  My regret is that I didn't make the skirt more flared when I did the whole slash and spread.

I was going for the Lady Skater look but with the Jalie 2921 top, but I kinda skimped on the spread, I think. It's wearable, but when I make this again I think I'll use a 1/2 or 3/4 circle for the skirt to give myself more twirl.

Meh twirl

So here's how I hacked the Jalie 2921 pattern to make the dress:

First, after making the magenta top, I figured out where I wanted the waist to be and then measured down from the bottom of the armscye to know where to mark on the pattern.  I then copied this onto a separate sheet of pattern paper and added an extra 3/8 in the side seams (the double knit wasn't as stretchy as the magenta fabric, but I didn't actually need it - I ended up taking the top back in once I tried it on).

Back

Front

Close up of front

I took my trusty Sew U Home Stretch skirt and made a copy of the front and back.  I then added four lines for spreading (so five sections total) onto the copy.

I then cut up the lines leaving 1/4" intact near the waist.  I spread each section 1 1/4 inches apart and then taped the sections in place on my cutting mat.

I placed a new sheet of paper over the top and traced out the new pattern.

And then I sewed up the bodice and the skirt and joined them at the waist.

It's fine, just not quite my vision.  Luckily, I've got enough knit fabric in my stash to try again!!

And I include these photos just for fun.  I've been experimenting with taking pictures while I'm moving (I set my camera to take five photos on the self-timer) because a good friend told me I look better in motion.  This has given me some better shots, but also some really silly ones!

Invisible hands!

Not sure what I was going for with this look . . .

Next week I'll have the Vogue 8379 wrap dress to show you that I made for a client.  I like it so much that now I want one for myself!

Jalie 2921: Scarf Collar Top

I think this was my first make of 2014 for me.  I've been wanting to make this pattern up since I saw Lauren's version last year.  I love it!

One of the things I loved about making this top was the construction steps.  Jalie has you sew the scarf collar with the top inside it (before sewing the side seams) so that the scarf has a nice finish all the way around.  It looked a bit like a sausage when I sewed it up:

You have to remember to leave a gap in one end of the scarf so that you can turn the sausage back into a top (and then slip stitch the hole closed).  I love learning new techniques like this!

I used a super soft rayon blend fabric that I purchased from GorgeousFabrics.com.  I bought the magenta, and now I have my eye on the peacock.  Seriously, this fabric is like wearing marshmallows, without the stickiness.  It's so stretchy that I was worried about recovery, but it's not an issue - it stays in shape all day. And I've washed the top a couple times with no funny business.

See how cozy it is?!

I didn't need to do much with this pattern, fit wise.  I cut a U on top and tapered to a T at the waist/hips. I lengthened the sleeves, because I wanted something that would keep my lower arms warm. And I added clear elastic to the back neck area as well as the shoulder seams because it seemed like a good idea with the scarf. This is my first Jalie pattern and I'm sold!!

I'm not really sure about the tying the scarf into a bow.  Here's my best attempt, and it's not so hot:

This really is a bow, trust me.

 I'm much more likely to wear it in a knot (I'm capable of tying that) or loose like a tie/scarf.

I liked this pattern so much, that my second make of 2014 was a dress, using Jalie 2921 on top and my TNT Sew U Stretch skirt on the bottom.  I'll show you how I did it later this week!