I Dream of Jalie Jeans

I was inspired by the lovely jeans made by the PR's who reviewed this pattern. My daughter was also impressed with this pattern and urged me to add this to my wishlist and purchase it as soon as possible. Because this was actually my first time at sewing jeans, I thought it would be a good idea to make these jeans "on a smaller scale" before making them for myself.



Pattern Description:

Women's flattering stretch jeans with slim fit through the hips and thigh and a flared leg, back and side front pockets, zip fly with button closure. View A has a low rise (2-3 inches below the navel) and View B has a regular rise (at the navel). I made View B.

Pattern Sizing:

Multi-sized pattern from toddlers to adult. I sewed an equivalent of a size "7". I should have used a "6", but it is better slightly loose than tight fitting.


What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?

Favorite Features

*Wonderful instructions, especially for attaching the front zipper. I made more mistakes in attaching the belt loops than in the zipper construction!






*Pant legs have a nice flare, similar to one of my daughter's Old Navy jeans.


Slight dislikes

*Loose waist (remedied by cinching with a belt)

*Long length (remedied by folding the lower hem into cuffs)



Fabric Used:

Stretch denim from ah-hem, excuse me, from Jo-Ann's



After changing needles, I highly recommend a needle specialized for sewing with denim. Being stubborn, I thought a "universal" needle would work on my medium weight stretch denim. I noticed a remarkable difference in the topstitching and the machine's handling of the fabric after switching to the new needle.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Surprisingly yes. Even the back pockets of Heather's jeans came out low like what the young Jalie model was wearing.


Were the instructions easy to follow?

Whoa! There were 50+ steps of instructions. But I expected that after reading the reviews.



Honestly, I found that they were easy to follow, decipher and perform. Don't be overwhelmed by the instructions as I was at first glance. They are user friendly and I suggest downloading the instructions from the Jalie website and read them first while referencing to the very helpful diagrams. I admit, I made some errors in placing the pieces in the wrong positions (i.e. the pockets and the yoke fronts), but it helped to re-read the steps and carefuly examine the diagrams before pinning and stitching.


Here are some highlights:




* I traced an image of a star (onto tissue paper used for gift wrapping) from a page of the craft section of the instructions in a recent Burda WOF magazine. Then I stitched it onto the back pocket. The lines helped guide my stitching.





* "Star and Swirls": I attached the back pockets, back yoke, and topstitched the seams. I also prepared the front pockets.




* "Face the Pockets": I added the facing to each pocket.




* "Got Sass on Pockets" I sewed each pocket to the upper edge of the front leg.



* Turn the front pockets to the inside



* "Putting on the Zip". I did not have to worry about shortening the zipper until the attachment of the waistband. From past experience, I would cut the zipper to size and reinforce the bottom with a little coil of stitches.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:

*No alterations. The only modification was Heather's choice of design for the back pockets.


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?

Yes. After some adjustments (especially in the waist and length), I plan to make another pair for my daughter. I also will be bold and sew a pair for myself.


Conclusion:

I absolutely recommend this pattern. If you are like me, who have been intimidated by making jeans and front fly zip pants, then you will very much appreciate the friendly and fluid instructions for this pattern. I even recommend it to advance beginners who welcome a workable challenge. After making my first pair of jeans, especially with this pattern, I became inspired and courageous to make more pants with fly fronts and also to improve on technique. I need to work more on my topstitching and being familiar and being more familiar with what needles to use on certain fabrics.


Despite the jeans' "imperfections", Heather liked wearing them nevertheless and proudly replied to one of her friends' comments, "My mom made them." I was shocked and surprised that her friend responded, "I don't believe you. What store did you get them from?"


You will discover that all of your time and efforts invested in this project will be worth it.

Asterisks in the Sky

After our experiences from shopping at the girls' department at Macy's and Kohl's, I have been discovering that RTW rarely offers stylish and comfortable tops for girls in my daughter's age group. My daughter is slowly distancing herself from character inspired t-shirts and tops.





Pattern Description:
"Top with criss-cross front. View A has a short flutter sleeve, View B has a flared three-quarter sleeve and View C is sleeveless." I sewed the sleeved and sleeveless versions for my 6-year-old daughter.

Pattern Sizing:
There are 27 sizes (toddler to adult) in one pattern. I sewed the size based on a girl's approximate age of "7" years.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes.


Were the instructions easy to follow?
Yes. I found the diagrams particularly helpful when I was not certain about the written instructions. I made sure that I cut all notches, which certainly helped me immensely in lining the front bodice pieces along the sides with the corresponding notches.

The directions and diagrams are printed directly on folded pattern sheet. For convenience, I downloaded the directions from the Jalie website.



What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?



Likes
*The convenience of a multi-sized pattern. I recently re-traced a slightly larger size of another household favorite Jalie pattern, the twist top, for Heather.

*Easy-to-follow instructions and clear diagrams.

*The criss cross style of the front bodice.

*I agree with Kbenco, in her review regarding the top fitting nicely on a child.

Slight dislikes
* I agree with the other reviewers that there is some extra ease in the front lower piece. Next time I plan to reduce the width.

* The lower front is not fully attached to the criss-crossed bodice. It is sewn "partially" to the lower edge of the under layer or the bodice that is not fully visible. Such feature is more convenient for nursing moms.

* I omitted the elastic below the bust after reading several reviews of this pattern to eliminate the potential bunching.

*I could have taken in the side seams another 1/4" due to my daughter being slender.


Fabric Used:
Poly jersey from GorgeousFabrics.com

Modifications
*Skipped the elastic wherever indicated to reduce bulk


Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes. I have already sewed 2 tops for Heather and plan to trace the pattern in my size, keeping in my mind that it will mostly likely fit differently on an adult with my proportions.

Conclusion:
This is really a nice pattern that produces a stylish top with little time and not so much fuss especially after making the first version.