Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Summer Sewing: The Finale

Well, I met my challenge (not that I positioned it that way): 5 garments in 5 days. Sure, one of them (Hepworth dress) isn't going to be in regular rotation (at least, I don't think it will - with new garments you never can tell...) The other 4 should be well-worn: a denim floral mini skirt, a long-sleved jersey dress, a three-season jacket (or 4 if you live in Ireland) and this one (the ubiquitous Jalie 2921):

Jalie 2921 - Scarf Collar Top
I do love this top for its utter wearability and serious chic-factor. It's like pyjamas that look great. Wanna eat a huge meal? No problem. Want to dress it up? It'll do that. I love it best with jeans though. It skims the full hip so it's waist-lengthening.

When last I made this top, I hadn't yet created my T shirt sloper (at least I don't think I had). So this time, when I went back to it, I had to review it against that sloper - even though my other 2921s fit well in the shoulders (purely by accident) - to ensure that it wasn't just good luck first time around. The only alterations I made first time were to shorten the whole thing and to make it a bit smaller in the waist (I wanted it to mimic my curvature). It's still a longer-T on me, but I like that about it.

Amazingly, this top is almost identical to my sloper. It's a bit roomier in the waist and hips, not that I'm complaining, and a bit longer. Other than that there were no changes to consider?! Well, of course, I'm a tinkerer, so there were a couple:
  • My other versions were a bit too low cut - as I'm short from shoulder to cleavage (remember my highly projected boobs are high-set on my chest. Yeah - I've got that centrefold cleavage). Also, I'm short (so there's less span for the boobs). To compensate, I raised the neckline by 1 inch and it's much better-fitting. The other version - esp. given the insane length of the ties and their consequential heaviness - pulled down on the neckline showing a bit too much skin.
  • A propos of that, I shortened the ties by 8 inches. Yeah, you read that. I basically shortened them by half and the new proportions are much better on my frame. Those ties are simply too long - unless you're tall AND long-waisted AND you intend to tie a bow (and even then maybe still). I don't want a bow. My preference is to string it through the opening underneath the neck (see below) or to tie it once and let the ties hang (also shown):

I think you would agree that one doesn't need ties that dip below the high hip. If nothing else, they get heavy and they fall into one's food!

Here's the back of the top - alas, the dress form is crooked (as is its wont), so it looks whack. I promise, when I wear it, the shoulders are of even heights.


I used a fuchsia rayon knit with about 40 per cent stretch cross-wise (and about 20 percent length-wise). The pattern calls for a fabric having 40 per cent stretch in both directions but I'm not long and the top is already long enough. It's also adequately roomy, curve-appeal notwithstanding, so it's not like it's going to ride up on me. The fabric was about 12 bucks a metre, on sale at FabricLand. Must say, fuchsia rayon jersey is a bit of a staple in this house. I have 3 other remnants and I can't figure out if they're actually the same fabric (or just slightly different), which is why I keep buying more. A gal can't have enough hot pink in the wardrobe, ya know.

So, I've got some practical, easy to pack, easy to layer, wrinkle free garments to take with me on my trip. Not bad for 75 - 100 bucks (which is what 2 dresses, 1 skirt, 1 top and 1 jacket) cost to make. I went through about 8 yards of stash fabric and now I'll get to wear those lovely yardages, which is the point, after all.

One thing I'll say about this sewing experience: I was very chill. Well, I was chill by my standards, which is still intense, I realize, but I like to view that as focus. I wondered if, given that I haven't been doing much sewing of late, I might be rusty and things might go awry. But if anything, it went better than ever it has done. I've spent a lot of time learning this craft over the past 6 years and, really, my skills stand me in good stead. I didn't feel inclined to freak out when things went wrong - as they always do - because I had years of work-arounds to apply to potential fatal errors. And they all worked. Even the hem on the Jalie top (one step above dog's breakfast - it's zig zagged, peeps) is not bad. I just didn't have it in me to set up another machine (the cover stitch) so I simply turned and stitched. I couldn't use interfacing, as I usually do, because T shirt hems get and look weirdly tight when it's applied. Rayon jersey is not my sewing machine's forte, so I just had to weigh the cost to benefits and make a call.

Over the years (and with hindsight - not to mention a few kicks up the head lately, which really puts perfection into perspective) I've learned how to do what works - not what I feel needs to be done to suit my vision of perfect stitching. And it produces a much better finished product - not to mention happier experience.

What do you think of Jalie 2921? Do you like the capsule collection? (I know, there's one thing you haven't seen - I will photograph it when I get home. I'm just not in the mood right now and I'm on vacation!) Has your sewing improved when you just decided to relax? Let's talk!

10 comments:

  1. I'm so impressed with your productivity! I was planning to dedicate some of my summer holidays to sewing and now I'm doubly inspired to do so!

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    1. Thanks so much Julie! You should give yourself a sewing holiday. It's lots of fun. Just be all set to go (with notions and fabric) before you get started.

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  2. That is a great pattern. I do remember, though, that the tie was long and heavy. I will need to pull it out and try it again. Your top looks great. Enjoy it on your trip.

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    1. I know - it's really crazy. I mean, when you can take a total of 16 inches (over both sides), esp. with fabric that has 40 per cent vertical stretch, it's asking for ties in the soup!

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  3. I love the Jalie scarf top. I made it once as a muslin that I ended up wearing for a while. Must make it again. Yours is cute!

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    1. You know, I've made it a couple of times and got a lot of wear out of one of the versions. I recall it being tricky to put together the first time but this time it clicked. It's not hard, but odd to get the gist of. Now that I've done it again, I think this may be one that I make a few times a year. It's so flattering!

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  4. I've got that pattern in my stash, and every so often I pull it out thinking "I should make this", but then I don't have the right fabric, blah, blah, so it goes back in the pile. If you've made it with rayon jersey (of which I have two very precious pieces in the stash--the good quality kind), I might have to stop using that excuse.

    You've been so productive these past few days or so, and while everything may not be perfect, I think it's better to enjoy the process and have something wearable at the end anyway. It's a hobby, and you should have fun with it.**

    (**Says the hypocrite, HA HA!)

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    1. OK, you've got to make it. It's going to take some altering, but once you've got it fitted, it's eminently practical!

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  5. Looks like you've been very productive! It's always a nice feeling when it's like that, right? I love this fuchsia (well, my screen shows the most gorgeous red) piece, the fit, the ties, all of it. Hope you're having fun on your vacation!

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    1. It is kind of between a very pink red and a fuchsia. It's the only kind of red I can wear... And thanks A. We're having a great time!

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