Jalie 3245: raglan top

Me and the blogging thing seem to be on an indefinite loop of "excited to share" and "ugggh."

Initially I started to write a super long post summarizing my sewing hits and (mostly) misses over the last couple of months.  The task proved to be daunting and I quickly lost interest.

So instead I'll try to write smaller, shorter posts on the things I've sewn since March.  We'll see how this goes. =) 

First up:  Jalie 3245.  

This has been on my radar for a while.   Jalie usually fits me with minimal adjustments and the simplicity of the top makes it an easy sew.

Unfortunately, the expansion of my gut doesn't make this a flattering look.  It looks okay from the front and back, but that side view is just begging for someone to ask me when I'm due.  =/

I cut a size Z and made a 3/8" FBA for a bit more width and length.  I rotated the dart to the raglan seam.  There were no issues sewing this seam as there was plenty of stretch to accommodate for the extra length.

I have always struggled with knit neckbands.  Sometimes I'll sew them decently; most times, not so much.  Kyle (@vacuumingthelawn on Instagram) uploaded a video of how she attaches knit neckbands.  It's such a good method and, save for user error, works perfectly.

It takes some practice to gauge how much to stretch the neckband, but minor differences in tension are barely noticeable. This is the probably the best neckline I've sewn.  Check out Kyle's highlights for the process.

The fabric is a distressed knit that I picked up recently in Canada.  It's a combination of regular jersey and mesh knit.  This combo did not respond well to straight basting stitches at all.  So I sewed all seams with a small zigzag stitch first and finished them together with the serger.

I didn't bother hemming the shirt.  The unfinished hems sort of "go" with the distressed look.

Really I was just being lazy. =P

The shirt not a total fail, but I don't know that it'll get much wear.  I'll revisit it again in about 10 pounds. =)

L