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Friday, January 24, 2014

The Jalie Sweetheart top: A top good enough for a Blogger Meet-up

Last week was a great one for me and my blog.  First, Rhonda, of Rhonda's Creative Life, included me in her Wednesday Showcase!  Did you see it?  If not, HERE it is!  Then on Saturday I had my first IRL Blogger meet-up, where I met Renee, Trena, and Tommie and had a fantastic time.  I must have had a silly grin on my face the rest of the day.

In honor of our meet-up, I sewed up a new top.  I used one of my new Jalie patterns that I purchased after winning Day #9 in Pattern Review's 12 Days of Giving Thanks. I made Jalie #2794, the Sweetheart Top.
 


I wisely made a test run using a forest green interlock knit purchased at Jo-Ann's.  I made the sleeves full length rather than 3/4.  I made a size X which corresponded to a 39" bust.  When I measured the pattern, it was only 36".  I thought that 3" was a bit too much stretch for an interlock knit so I did a cheater FBA and cut the bust a size Z, which turned out fine.  The shoulders were slightly wide and the neck binding was rather floppy.  Since I was using an interlock with not-so-great recovery, I should have shortened the neck band by at least and inch.  The neckline was too wide and my bra straps were just covered while standing perfectly still and perfectly upright.  Any movement exposed a strap. 

 
partial orange kitty photobomb!

Knowing myself as I do, I knew that this would drive me nuts (sewist...know thyself!).  So I unpicked the entire front of the bodice and shifted the shoulder pieces over 7/8" toward the center front to make sure all straps would stay covered.

Much better! 
 
The shoulders are still a little wide
 
So I cut into some fabric I have been saving.  It's a thin knit with good recovery that I purchased at Win-Mill Fabrics in Boston's Chinatown.  The print didn't extend all the way to one selvedge which left about 5" of plain white which I used for the contrast bands. 
 
 
When I first put this on, I didn't know what to think.  It looked weird for some reason.  Then I realized...I rarely wear prints, especially on tops!  Looking through my me-made wardrobe, there are very few prints, mostly solids.  Even though wearing a print is taking some getting used to, I really like the top.  I prefer it in the thinner, stretchier fabric, rather than in the heavier interlock.  Here is a close-up of the neckline, where you can see the contrast bands as well as the gathers along the center front.  


 
So the Sweetheart Top is another great pattern from Jalie.  Sweet!

23 comments:

  1. I love the fashion fabric!! And it fits perfectly! You could use it as a layering piece since it's a thin knit to break up the print.

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    1. Good idea! A purple cardigan would be great...maybe a McCalls 6844? :)

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  2. This is definitely a winner. Love that neckline, it's very flattering:)

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    1. Thanks! Is is a step from a typical v-neck or crew neck tee. :)

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  3. Both tops are so pretty!! Congrats on the blog feature, and the win on patternreview.com!

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    1. Thanks! Like I said, it's been a very good week :)

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  4. Love your new tshirt.. it looks so pretty on you.. Proud you had a good week. Happy Sewing.

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  5. Lovely top - it is a great pattern. Your necklace is a perfect match for the print top. :)

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    1. Thanks! The necklace is one of my favorites :)

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  6. Great top and the print looks pretty on you!

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  7. Love the print on you and the contrast band makes this a winner top. Thanks for sharing the steps it took to get to the final perfect fit you've made it show it's worth the effort to mock up a pattern first if never made it before and take the time to perfect the fit before cutting into the fashion fabric

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    1. Thanks! I was surprised that no one else seemed to have the same trouble I did with the neckline being too wide. I'm glad I did a trial run :)

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  8. Very pretty top. Love the contrasting bands and the print. Suits you beautifully.

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  9. The top is awesome! The photos are good, but it is even more impressive IRL! The print suits you...congrats on your blogging week!

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    1. Thanks Tommie! It was a very good week. I'm glad you were a part of it! :)

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  10. Lovely pattern and the top looks terrific on you! I like the contrasting white bands. You should def. wear prints more often.

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  11. Great tops and congrats on being featured.

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  12. I love, love the beautiful tops! They look good on you. I have the same pattern plan on pulling it out this weekend! I enjoy peaking in your blog!

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    1. Thanks! Jalie patterns are great, I haven't had a dud yet!

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  13. This looks great on you! Yay for adding more prints to the wardrobe :)

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  14. I have this exact same issue. If I go by the bust measurement on a pattern, it falls off my shoulders. I have very narrow shoulders and need to adjust almost everything.

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