I know I said I was going to get caught up on a lot of blog posts while in my down time healing from this surgery. But I’ve been really tired and just, healing. Resting and healing and just being. I do want to get caught upon all my backlog of blog posts and makes but it will come in time. I want you all to know that I am healing and doing ok. The pain is mild and I’m just biding my time to heal.
I should be able to sew again soon here (like in the next 2 weeks or so) and so I bought a new machine….. more on that later. And I bought fabric TWICE!!! What is wrong with me! I have sooooooo much fabric in my stash to use. Some yards even from 2012 when I started full blown sewing LOL. We are most likely moving here in the next year or sooner and I really wanted to tear down that stash some. But you know…. so many pretty fabrics….. and buying them made me feel good. I bought a few new patterns and am making new plans too. So lets move on to something I sewed up just before surgery.
Jalie 4453 – Louise Multi-Sport Jersey Top
As you know, Jalie just released their new pattern collection.
Quick Disclosure: I am so lucky and blessed to be a pattern tester for them. Even though I am a tester, I share only my honest opinion. And you all know that I am very opinionated. 
If I like something I love it, if I don’t like something I’m not afraid to tell you. (photos here were taken before my recent surgery).
My Measurements at the time: Upper Bust 38.5,Bust 42, smallest Waist 34.5, low belly 39.5, Hip 48.5
Size Used: AA for bust, grading to a CC for the low belly and hip.
I looked at the finished measurements for Bust and bicep and I fit right into an AA so i chose
that for upper. my hips are a CC usually in all Jalie patterns now.
Alterations: none except grading. I chose the short sleeve version of the pattern
Fabric Used: 70% stretch width and 60% length for both fabrics. I used a blue nylon spandex athletic knit that is so awesome and slightly brushed inside. The black is also a nylon spandex type athletic knit. They worked well together. The blue was called Aqua Blue Activewear that I purchased May 2018 from fashionfabricsclub for only $2/yard! sadly I don't know the content for it. Unfortunately the same is said for the Black Spandex, I don't know the exact fabric content for it. The fabric width was 59" wide after prewashing.
The pattern states to use 1.5 yards total for the top. I used 2 different fabrics so I didn't measure completely. What I used was scraps of about 1/2 yard for the black pieces and about 1 yard of the blue. So I would say that yes, the pattern requirements are correct.
Instructions: I thought the instructions were great , as usual with Jalie. I really look at the pictures more than the wording but it is helpful in some parts to have the wording instruction.
Overall fit and issues:
I love the fit. Now that I have sewn one up and know how every piece goes together I think I could make a better one if I sewed it again. Its a really cool look and I love all the color-blocking. The back pocket confuses me (maybe because I am not a runner or skier), but its not easy to reach back there and if running wouldn’t things be bouncing around back there? I mean don’t get me wrong; everyone loves extra pockets and this top has lots of great pockets (the back 3 and the inside 2).
Also, I have a shelf butt and the pocket in back liked to ride up my back due to my larger butt. I kept reaching for side seam pockets after I had finished sewing it and was wearing it so I do wish there were side seam pockets; however then you couldn’t have the inside pockets there – and they make more sense in a sport top. By grading out for my hips, I feel the fit on me was great.
If I were to change anything it would be the cuffs. I feel like the cuffs for the short sleeve version are just a tad too loose, by about 1/2" to 3/4". I would want the cuffs to sit on my skin and not be baggy. (I am not sure if they changed this in the final pattern).
Thoughts: I think this is a cute sporty top. I am not in any way a runner or active due to my health but I sure feel like I could be when I wear this top! lol. I like it, the lines of it are slimming and its a fun top to wear. I especially like all the pockets it has.
You can easily get away with wearing leggings or bottoms with no pockets when you wear this top – because it has so many pockets.
Leggings seen in photos are my Sew A Little Seam – Movie Night Pajama Leggings (FREE Pattern)
Happy Sewing!
Kristin
As you know, Jalie just released their new pattern collection. This is the last pattern I tested from the collection.
Quick Disclosure: I am so lucky and blessed to be a pattern tester for them. Even though I am a tester, I share only my honest opinion. And you all know that I am very opinionated. 
My Measurements at the time: Upper Bust 38.5, Bust 42, smallest Waist 34, low belly 39, Hip 49
Size Used: AA for bust, grading to a BB for the low belly and CC for the hip.
Alterations: none except grading. I made the long sleeve dress version of the pattern
Fabric Used: I used a sheet I save for testing and muslins. It is listed as 60% cotton and 40% Polyester. I would call it a normal weight woven. Not thin, not thick. It is lighter than a quilter’s cotton but heavier than a challis. The fabric is 58” wide
Yardage used - The pattern says to use 3.25 to 4 yards for my size. I measured the sheet and I used about 3.5 yards of 58” wide. So I would say that yes, the pattern requirements are correct.
Instructions: I thought the instructions were great , as usual with Jalie. I really look at the pictures more than the wording but it is helpful in some parts to have the wording instruction. These instructions had to be great with all those buttons, collar, pockets, yokes, and sleeve plackets.
Overall fit, Thoughts, and issues:
This one really challenged me for 2 reasons. #1 it is a looooong sew. I had to break it up into many days. #2 I have never sewn a shirt sleeve placket before. I have sewn just a handful of other woven “proper” collars, one on my Jalie Rose 3881 (love that top) another on a McCalls 4769 Shirtdress back in 2013, and a few others. So this sew pushed me out of my comfort zone a bit. You all know I like the fast sew, instant gratification knits. I need to branch out and sew more woven fabric in the future here. If I were to change anything it would be to add a little more room for my hips and rear. I feel it is a tad snug there. I like it more without the belt. It is loose and comfortable. I disliked things on my stomach before this surgery (having 2 other stomach surgeries in my past) but after this surgery, I really do not like things touching my stomach.
So my sheet I used to test this pattern was this "lovely" dull gray color. Not good for my skin tone, but I like to use sheets to test woven patterns in case they need tweaking before the final, good fabric is used. This shirtdress looked great, but the color made me feel like Inspector Gadget. So I knew I needed to change it.
I decided to try using Rit Dye More for synthetics to change the color to more me. I dyed cotton in the past, in a bucket in the backyard, easy peasy just soaking, Miss K’s Corduroy Pants, which I guess I never shared, but they turned out well. However, dying synthetics is a whole other ballgame. You have to use the stove, a boiling pot, and lots of constant heat forever. 1. my arm about fell off with the amount of stirring time. 2. it takes a long long freaking time in that pot. 3. it stinks. 4. it splashes everywhere. BUT I am happy with the outcome and I was so surprised to see the brown buttons dyed a beautiful blue too! I just don’t know if I would want to put in that work again.
For Reference, here is Inspector Gadget.
(In exciting news, I get a new serger tomorrow!!!! I’m jumping out of my skin with excitement!!! I have been on a serger hunt since my beloved 1034d crapped out on me, oh about ….. 5 or 6 or so years ago. I had it a decade and it just worked so great and I treated it poorly but it serged a ton of things for me. Then I tried a million other sergers like a bernina, a new home, the babylock celebrate, the babylock victory, the new brother 3000 airflow. And I just wasn’t happy with any of them! Plus the lights now affect my epilepsy so its hard to find a serger that doesn't. When the light is behind the foot, the foot going up and down so fast - makes a flashing type light and I can't deal with it However, I am super stoked for the new one coming. No teasers from me on what it is, until I test it out. Cross your fingers for me because my husband is getting a little tired of all the machines flying thru, lol).
Happy Sewing!
Kristin
