Saturday, September 20, 2014

Jalie Cardi Hacking



You may already know but there's a new indie pattern company, Muse, and their first release is the really cute Jenna cardigan. If I had extra money right now (no, didn't get that job), I'd have bought the pattern. But since I didn't and, darn it I wasn't a tester (hint, hint), I had to settle for using it as inspiration. So I dug out my TNT Jalie 2566 twinset pattern and proceeded to hack away.


The hacking was pretty easy actually. I chopped off about 9" from the length and then added a 3" band at the hem and a 2" band at the sleeves. Both bands are folded, so the cutting width was actually 6-1/2" and 4-1/2", including seam allowances. The Jalie is also a vee neck with a continuous neck/button band vs. the Jenna's jewel neckline and separate neck and button bands. I left mine as is, since I prefer the vee over a jewel neck anyway.

I was really second-guessing cutting off all that length since such a short side seam looked almost comical to me, but the fabric is a cheap stashed sweater knit and I had enough to try it again if the hacking was a disaster. It wasn't. :-) The finished cardi could even be an inch shorter and still be all right.

What I didn't have extra of is interfacing. Even if I have to keep sewing from stash until that real job materializes, I'm going to have to break down and order some more interfacing since I'm seriously running out and nothing available local is even close to being suitable. (Will work for interfacing. hehehe) Having to be extra frugal these days, I did some creative piecing for the front bands.


Interfacing definitely was not optional for this squishy sweater knit since I had to put in 6 tiny buttonholes on a very narrow band. I am not exaggerating when I say I was holding my breath during each one, just waiting for my machine's auto buttonholer to screw up. Luckily, they all came out perfectly. And mostly spaced evenly.


Since the budget is also not allowing extraneous thread purchases, I went with what I have for the serger. I used overlocker grays in the needles to blend and regular turquoise in the loopers so the loops wouldn't contrast when the cardi flips open. The knit is actually much more aqua than the baby blue it appears to be in the top photo so these threads were a pretty good match.


Inside view - good blending job, right? I'm happy with it.


The buttons are Mother of Pearl from the Carolyn Norman collection. ;-) Mother of Pearl naturally has some teal-ish iridescence and goes nicely with this knit. Too bad the photo lies, but trust me ... they look really nice. And they're tiny so fit perfectly on the narrow band.


Lots of topstitching around the hem and sleeve bands and around the button/neck band.


I had just enough thread on this spool. Whew!


I'll probably wear it open, like this, but for the main photo it looked nicer buttoned up.


The blouse is a SBCC Mimosa made last year. I also made the skirt but I can't talk about that yet. ;-) The cardi is a perfect match for it and now I have a new outfit for Monday. It's still hot outside here and will be for a long while yet, but inside A/C is always chilly so layers are a must.

Even though my Jalie/Jenna hack is a successful knock-off and I can hack further for Jenna's gathered shoulder yoke view, I would still like to buy (or win) the actual pattern at some point because I think it's so cute and the sewing nerd in me wants to see the original. What can I say? I read patterns like others read magazines. ;-)

26 comments:

  1. Adorable. And bravo for using what you have. (My Mother lived during the Depression and I don't think we EVER used the amount of yardage the pattern called for.) I have missed you posting. And I'm sorry you didn't get the job. Your sewing helps get referenced all over the internet. Could you work part time/ weekend at a fabric shop and get the discount for thread and interfacing? Or teach sewing? Until things change,keep on making do and looking spiffy!

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  2. Very cute. :-)

    If you're interested in being a tester for the next pattern, drop me a line - hello at sewingmuse.com.....

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  3. I'm so glad to see this post! I don't use a "reader" or subscribe to any blogs. I just come here. :) I read the blogs you have links to. :) but only after catching up with what you've made. GREAT looking new outfit, as always. Keeping my eyes and fingers crossed for the dream job to hurry the heck up! I think those colors are beautiful together and will suit you perfectly, too!

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  4. Your cardigan is so cute! Love the job you did with the front band, both the buttonholes and the buttons. Very professional looking!

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  5. Wow, love that cardigan. So professional looking...

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  6. Great cardi, love the colour ... noticed you have just been invited to be a tester for the next pattern... go for it ... J

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  7. What a beautiful cardi, and so good you could make it from things that you have around. Nothing like a bit of stash busting. It looks like such a lovely outfit with your skirt. x

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  8. I want to make the Muse cardigan too! I have it on my list. Your Jalie hack is great!

    I've enjoyed reading your blog for a long time now and was wondering if you'd like a little care package from me (interfacing from Fashion Sewing Supply). Let me know.... kdburkhardt at yahoo.com

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  9. This looks beautiful, Debbie! I have had zero look sewing sweaters, but yours looks totally professional. Great work!

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  10. What a beautiful cardigan with excellent, detailed finishing (as usual!) Bravo also for using a pattern you already have. I took a class once with Kenneth King, and he said you only need about 5 patterns as the basis for everything you could sew. I think about that every time I buy yet another pattern.

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  11. Debbie, this is so professional looking. I hate the term hack as it sounds like a cheap copy. Your rendition is a creative expression using what you had on hand. Wonderful work, wonderful!

    Many's the time I have pieced interfacing and "blended" my serger threads. It's called being thrifty!

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  12. I'm glad sewingmuse picked up on your tester hint. I think we can always rely on you to give an honest review.

    I blend serger threads all the time - pretty sure it's 35% thrifty and 65% lazy.

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  13. Debbie,
    If it takes a while to find a job get a p.o box. I would be happy to support your sewing habit until things get better, I am sure many readers are sitting on extra thread interfacing etc, they would be happy to send you. It would allow us to give something back for all the help you have given us over the years.
    Hang in there job hunting

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  14. Where do you order your interfacing from & what kind do you use ?
    You did an amazing job on the cardigan !!!

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  15. What do you need a new pattern for?! You did a marvelous job reworking your old one. Love the cardi and can't wait to see the new skirt! Glad you're sewing!!!

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  16. What a great job on the cardi. You have a real talent. I have taken advantage of your tutorials and really valued your reviews. I would like to pay it back. Please contact me at knksneal at gmail dot com.

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  17. Sorry about the job. Your cardigan is really nice; I love the color. I do the mixed thread thing if I need 2 different colors, but I've never done buttonholes on the serger. Fingers crossed as you continue the job hunt.

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  18. Thanks for sharing your "hacking" of the Jalie pattern. I also have that pattern and would love to turn it into a shorter version.
    I love your cardi. The color is great!

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  19. Very cute outfit!, you are certainly creative in your use of fabric, pattern, and notions!

    Lynda in LV

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  21. Your cardi is lovely and what beautiful fabric. It really looks great with that outfit. Very nice indeed.

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  22. Hi, great sweater! And great minds think alike as I too have interfacing I would love to send you during your time of need, tell me what you use I probably have it. Your blog keeps me going, please keep sewing and smiling!
    email me at fcsltdcan at gmail dot com, Marilyn

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  23. I second what Lisa Danny-Roberts said. =)

    Great job on the cardigan and thanks for showing your buttonhole-spacing thingy. I picked one up this weekend!

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  24. Debbie,
    Not sure exactly what line of work you are in...I know USAA is hiring in Tampa.

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  25. i think you've just convinced me that Jalie are a reliable pattern company. You're such a talented pattern drafter. And this cardi illustrates your skills and experience.
    ie. It works!

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