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!