I made one of my TNT patterns, the Jalie Drop Pocket Cardigan for Daisy. And this post actually went live on the Minerva blog back in July, but hey, I’m sharing it here now. Better late than never!
Ah, the Jalie Drop Pocket Cardigan. My love for this pattern knows no bounds! Seriously, I wear one of my two versions (blogged here and here) nearly every day, even if that’s just around the house in the evening. And quite often that’s not the case: I’ll be wearing it as part of my outfit for the day.
Why do I love it so much? I guess it’s partly the huge pockets which I can use to carry all my shit around the house. Phone, tissues, bits of Lego picked off the floor, paperback books, iPad–you name it, I can fit it in there! More than the pockets, though, I just love the style. It’s just structured enough to have a bit of definition around the top, which is great as with my narrow shoulders, anything too slouchy around there makes me look like a child dressing up in their parent’s clothes.
But that decent structure at the shoulders is combined with a general casual and comfortable shape that goes with most of my clothes. Honestly, I don’t think there’s anything in my wardrobe that wouldn’t work with a Jalie Drop Pocket Cardigan layer on top. There are a few things that don’t look good over one, such as a more cropped jacket, but I don’t tend to wear those very often anyway.
So, with my love for this pattern is it any wonder I made one for Daisy?
I’m pleased to say Daisy really likes her cardigan and while she doesn’t wear it as often as I wear mine, I do see her in it pretty regularly. At least once a week or so, I’d say. I honestly don’t think it goes as well with her wardrobe as perhaps another colour might. She seems to be getting more of an idea of her own style now, and I see her in black and denim most often. Maybe that’s just a teenage thing!
I don’t have much to say about the sewing up that isn’t covered in the original Minerva post, so head over there if you want construction details. I honestly can’t recommend this little pattern enough, and I don’t know why it isn’t sewn up more widely. You get a lovely finish inside and it’s really simple to make. Top notch pattern! I will definitely be making it for myself again in the future. Just have to decide on a colour…
The deets
Pattern: the Jalie Drop Pocket Cardigan
Size: P at top graded to R by waist
Fabric: French Terry Cloud Print Sweatshirt Fabric and some contrast grey ponte from my local fabric shop.
Modifications: shortened sleeves by 3″ and overall length
Costing:
- Pattern: £3.68 (paid £11.04 but used 3 times so far)
- Fabric: £4.50 for ponte (0.6m at £7.50 a metre), Cloud French Terry provided free by Minerva.
- Total: £8.18
Anyone else have a TNT pattern they’ve made for someone else? If so, did they love it as much as you do?
Coming on Friday:
I’m going to keep up this insane blogging schedule until I’ve dealt with my backlog of projects, so Friday will finally see me blogging my first bra make. It was a nursing bra made using another Jalie pattern: the catchily titled 3131. And yes, it’s in leopard print. What else?!
I keep loving this cardi! (Where does Jalie hide the line drawings?) But I fear knits because I’m never happy with the results – and never wear them. (Prompting my husband to ask why I make garments I don’t wear. And why I like wovens. )
Any words of wisdom?
I can help you with the line drawings! Just click on the link for the Sizing info/back of pattern on the pattern page and you’ll find the line drawings hidden there.
As for fearing knits… I used to find them really difficult and never got the results I was after. I kept at it, though, and eventually got better at figuring out the right fabric for the pattern and the best techniques for specific kinds of knits. I’ve found that the more drapey, viscose knits are a real pain to sew and the only way I can manage it is using the overlocker and the walking foot on my regular machine. I also use knit interfacing on hems and other tricky bits if the fabric won’t behave. I test all seams and hem finishes on bits of scrap too.
Ponte, sweatshirting and french terry are probably the easiest knits to work with, followed by good quality cotton lycra. I hope that’s some help! Feel free to get back in contact if you have any more specific questions about sewing knits. It’s honestly my favourite kind of sewing now, and I’m really happy to share the love 🙂
Thanks Anna – I’ll keep all your encouraging words in mind!
I have a nice Kaufman cotton/ lycra knit to make a simple dress. I think it’s the ‘finished’ edges I’m most nervous about. Necks & armholes and such. (Like buttonholes…putting holes in an otherwise lovely finished piece of clothing. SOOO nerve wracking… But one fear I’ve overcome…)
P.S. I’m enjoying reading your ‘catch up’ posts!
Kaufman fabrics are fabulous! I hear you on the buttonholes. I sometimes used to go weeks summoning up the courage to make them! Getting a buttonhole chisel helped.
I’ve found making bands to be the best finish for necklines and armholes. If they go wrong it’s not usually too tricky to rip them out and have another go. Good luck with the dress!