A Not-So-Basic Dress Using Jalie
Being invited to participate in a Jalie blog tour is like being asked, do you breathe? Will you show us next time you do so? Okay Okay, I have a tendency of being over dramatic, especially when it comes to Jalie patterns. Jokes aside, I am honored to be asked but if you came here looking for a basic, maybe you will be surprised. Truth is, Jalie is part of my “special day” and almost “every other day” life so whenever I am inspired to make anything new I look in my Jalie stash first. Bonus points if it is a pattern I have used before.
Its funny that Jalie’s instagram handle is #jalielife because if you follow my progress on PatternReview, you will notice that Jalie has indeed been a part of my and my daughter’s life for a very long time. Every new activity she has picked up be it gymnastics, or swimming or Halloween costume has been accompanied by an outfit from mom using a Jalie pattern. Last year when I made fitness a part of my life, it was the PIKA top which I wore to my gym with pride!
Sure I can show you all the t-shirts I’ve made using 3352 or even 2806, but if you stick around, I think you will enjoy my latest, most ambitious-to-date project I created using my trusty 2805.
Oh, did I mention that most Jalie patterns come in 22-32 sizes? That means I am able to create matching looks for myself and my daughter effortlessly! Ok back to the current project.
Last year I finally jumped on the Alabama Chanin style hand stitching bandwagon and I have been obsessed ever since. As you know this type of sewing takes months (some even work on a single project for years!) so of course my first few projects were meant for me and you know I picked a Jalie pattern right? I have to show you!
As I would sit in my kitchen making those tiny running stitches, my daughter asked me, mom when are you going to make me something. So I did 🙂
And then I decided to make another one 🙂 The project which I want to talk about today.
Reverse and Negative Reverse Applique Fit-And-Flare dress using the bodice of Jalie 2805.
The thing about reverse applique is, that it results in a rather bulky garment if you are embellishing front and back. So I decided to reverse applique only the bodice and do applique on the skirt using the darker fabric. Once I had a plan, I got to work.
I first altered the 2805 pattern to make the bodice. All I did was figure out where I wanted the seam to hit and chop off the excess. I cut out one pair each ( front and back) from the purple and plum cotton jersey. Then I took my stencil and sponge painted the design on the front and back. I drafted a quick half-circle skirt and cut out single layer from the purple jersey. Then I sponge painted the skirt using the stencil insides on the outside of the leaves. Then I cut large sections and pinned them to the skirt pieces and stitched around the edges. When I was done stitching, I simply trimmed the excess resulting in easy applique.
For the bodice I stitched through both layers on the edges and then carefully removed the top layer so the bottom darker layer would show through. Pictures will help explain my process.
When I finished hand stitching all the pieces, it was just a matter of assembling the dress on the serger and bind the neckline using a cretan stitch (also by hand). To stabilize the waist seam I sewed clear elastic.
I am so pleased with how this dress turned out. I gasp every single time she wears it. It is a LABOR of LOVE. Over the last year I have gathered resources for all my hand stitching projects. If you are interested leave a comment below and I will do a follow-up blog post.
Hand stitching came into my life when I was going through a rather stressful time and it is nice to know that when it comes to patterns I have a trusty friend in Jalie patterns which allows me to be creative and not worry about fit or drafting. Go Jalie!
[Please do not use photos of my daughter from my blog for Pinterest or any other site]
If you’d like to see all the looks I have created using Jalie 2805, please check out my reviews on PatternReview.com.
Blogger Lineup
Be sure to visit these talented sewing bloggers during the tour:
Wednesday, Feb 6 – The Petite Sewist | auschick sews | Replicate then Deviate | Deepika Blogs
Thursday, Feb 7 – Sew What Yvette | Sew Cucio | Shalini’s Sewing Space | Curtiepie | A Jennuine Life
Friday, Feb 8 – SeamsLikeStyle | It’s Liesel | SewSophieLynn | Danvillegirl Sewing Diary | Skirt Fixation
Monday, Feb 11 – The Crafting Fiend | Sprouting JubeJube | its sew colorful | Diskordia’s Curvy Sewing
Tuesday, Feb 12 – All Things Katy! | BigFlyNotions | needle and the belle | Zoopolis
Deepika Blogs... 
Pingback: Basically Jalie Blog Tour - The Petite Sewist
This is stunning!!! Beautiful work!!!!!!
Thank you.
Ooh I love your alabama chanin skirt and tops! Someday I will find the time to make one of these, right?! I agree with you that sewing Jalie is life 🙂
Thanks so much. Regarding hand stitching, you can start small (as did I). It is overwhelming at first but so enjoyable. My best part? It is portable!
These are all so beautiful! The hand-stitching totally takes it to that next level ❤
Thank you. And yes I agree using a basic pattern as Jalie 2805 I can create some exceptional looks with handstitching. Love it.
Wow! This is just stunning! I’m so inspired to do some reverse applique like this on a future project! Definitely a great way to jazz up a basic pattern!
Do it! You don’t have to do a fully embellished piece. If you look at my blog post about my entry into this type of sewing, you’ll see I started small. https://images.patternreview.com/blog_images/2018/bookreview/AC/Lillian.jpg
Great job! You sewed up a storm!
Thanks. I only sewed Dia’s purple dress for this tour but decided to showcase some other pieces I had made recently.
Pingback: Creating a mini, summer, capsule wardrobe | Curtiepie
Pingback: Basically Jalie Blog Tour - A Jennuine Life
I am incredible impressed by your patience!
Like I often say – handstitching is my yoga 😉
Pingback: [TOUR] Basically Jalie – Seams Like Style
I love that Alabama Chanin style hand stitching technique, love the results!
Thank you. I hope my daughter gets a lot of use out of it.
Pingback: Basically Jalie Blog Tour – SewSophieLynn
Pingback: Basically Jalie
Pingback: [TOUR] Basically Jalie – Seams Like Style
Pingback: Basic Jalie Outfit #2680 & #2681 - Skirt Fixation
You guys look great!
Thank you!
Wow! The detail on all your pieces is so unique and beautiful! Love them all!
Thank you so much.
This is so innovative and cool! Congrats from all of us at Discovery Trekking Outfitters specialty fabrics! Can’t imagine life without sewing…
Thanks Leslie.
You surely have the Jalie life there, girl. Your projects are awesome!
Thank you. I love Jalie patterns. I’ve never had a single fail.
Look at all tourJalie makes! So fab!! Love the hand stitching too, you’re far more patient than me 🤣
I never thought I’d get into it. But somehow the tiny running stitches make me feel so relaxed.
This is gorgeous, and you can tell from your daughter’s face she’s pleased to have something so special from Mom’s hands. I’ve done a few reverse applique projects, but haven’t yet tackled Alabama Chanin style.
Thanks. I’d love to see your reverse Applique projects.
Your handstitching looks whimsical and fun! Love it!
Pingback: Basically Jalie Blog Tour | Diskordia's Curvy Sewing
your revers applique adds such a layer of fun to the outfits!!
Wow! Amazingly beautiful, and I love the size range of the patterns too 🙂
Wow! so much work must have gone into those garments for the reverse appliqué! what a beautiful look!