Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Quebec's revenge

Picture the scene. At Jalie headquarters Montreal the head of design is briefing the pattern makers. "We av to come up with a shirt pattern zat will baffle ze English but for the smart ones that can follow our instructions will dazzle them with Francophone ingenuity and our superior pattern making".

One of the pattern makers has a moment of deep inspiration. "Mais oui I av it!" she says "We will create a collar that one must roll the entire garment through. Ze finish will be magnifique, but the making will be a challenge."

Well as you can see from this poor attempt at humour, I was challenged by Jalie 2921. I sat for an hour reading the instructions thinking that I must have misinterpreted the text and drawings. But no, you do indeed roll the garment through the stitched collar, creating a very clean line and no raw edges.

I'm very happy with the result and fit. I used a very drapey wool blend knit. My only complaint is that my tie hangs lower than on the pattern illustrations. I suspect this is a combination of not being generous enough with the seam allowances and the loose weave dragging it downward. I will definitely make another soon.
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24 comments:

  1. I love this pattern too, but think the ties need to be shortened unless you are planning on threading them through a buckle (even then I think they are too long).

    Love your version!

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  2. You are too bloody funny. I do like it on you and man have you lost weight. Can I say that on a sewing blog?????

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  3. It looks great! Fun must be had when we sew =)

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  4. Oh, so funny! Your top is great and this is such a great pattern, instructions and all. I shortened my tie buy 3-4 inches on my second shirt.

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  5. Nice top! You are a good story teller.

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  6. I have had this pattern for a while now - I really must get around to makinig it. I, too, have puzzled over the instructions and have to say I don't get how it's going to work but clearly it does! Your top is fabulous - it really suits you.

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  7. It looks good, but I've seen a review with the same complaint on the length of the ties so don't blame your self on this one!

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  8. Great looking new top. I haven't sewn Jalie yet. I keep promising myself to get a few of the knit patterns.

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  9. Oui oui, you look very happy in your new top! I bet zee second one will be a breeze to sew now that you've got the process down.

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  10. I like this on you, Gail. I don't mind the long ties. Think of them as creating a vertical line and visually lengthening your appearance. At least that's what I'd tell myself!

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  11. Very funny! The ties look fabulous, good for you figuring out this puzzle of a pattern!

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  12. Great top, I picked this one up recently. Thanks for the heads up on the collar issue, it looks wonderful on you!

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  13. Vous avez l'air magnifique! Before you get impressed with my grasp of the French language - I admit to using Google Translate! But you still look tres bien!

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  14. Love your top and the colour. I took 2" out of the lenght of my ties.

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  15. It is a very nice top - I have this one in stash, waiting for a spare moment - yours looks lovely on you, both in colour, fit and silhouette.

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  16. Oh la la! C'est tres chic et jolie!

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  17. Ha ha! C'est magnifique! Great color on you!

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  18. Great colour and nice fitting top. You're prep work was worth it.

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  19. Beautiful top and color, but your satisfied smile is priceless. :)

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  20. Great humor and lovely top... now if only I could get over the fear of pulling the rolled fabric through the stitched collar.

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  21. Such a lovely top. So flattering and the colour looks stunning on you.

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  22. Oh my gosh, that is hilarious!! LOL! That story is just too funny, what a way with words you have, tres superb!!
    (your top looks tres chic, aussi!)

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  23. That is a fabulous colour on you! Great top. I have yet to try a Jalie knit top...yours is good motivation.

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  24. Ze entire top iz pulled through ze collar? Incroyable! It turned out beautiful though, the color is especially fantastic.

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