Jalie 2449

Tomorrow is my monthly pattern club meeting, and we'll be discussing Jalie patterns. Yesterday I made up 2449, the crossover top. I started with a size T, and did a small FBA (1"). Instead of stitching the newly created dart, I just eased it in. I constructed the whole thing, except for the hems, on the serger. I've never done that before, and boy was it fast!

Man, it's hard to take a self-portrait. Overall, I like the style. I'm not sure I like this particular fabric on me that much. I think it's a way cool print (a rayon lycra I picked up at Canvasbacks a few years ago), but probably not the best colors for me. It's REALLY stretchy too. I cut it out again out of a navy/brown poly knit, and I'll stitch that up sometime today. I also have Jalie 2445, and 2327, but I doubt I'll get either of those done by tomorrow in time for the meeting.

If you've never looked at Jalie patterns before, go take a look. They have lots of nice casual sportswear, activewear, and underwear, and every pattern contains EVERY size, from 2T to adult.

A Few More Bags

The pattern club meeting was last night. I didn't get all the Amy Butler bags I had cut out finished, but I did manage to get these done. From the left: Swing Bag, In Town drawstring bag, Chelsea Tote, and an In Town handbag (yes, this is just like the one I made for Julie -- I was able to cut out two). I used scraps leftover from my nephew's quilt to make the drawstring bag. I am partway through the Favorite Clutch, and then I'll work on the Cabo Halter muslin (I did an FBA on the pattern, and hope it works out). I also have one more In Town bag to do, this time with bamboo purse handles.

Here you can see the linings I chose. The Chelsea Tote is reversible, and has a false bottom. It's going to go live with a friend of mine -- I hope she likes it. I bought a button to make a closure for the handbag. The meeting was a lot of fun. Someone had made the Kimono Robe from AB's In Stitches book, and I got to try it on. That was helpful, as now I have a few modifications in mind. Two people made the Messenger Bag. Both said it was a LOT of work, but it looks fantastic. Kelly didn't make it, though. :( I was hoping to meet her and check out her Cafe Apron. I'm sure the snowstorm we had was a definite factor in the smallish attendance (I was 30 minutes late myself).

I'm really looking forward to the next few months of the club. Next month is Nancy Erickson's Fashion Sewing Group patterns, and then Jalie patterns in May. In the fall we have a month for HotPatterns and Decades of Style, so that should motivate me to get my HP pattern made up (and maybe order a few more! ~G~).