Equine-tessential Jalie

I intended to purchase the Jalie scarf collar top pattern at the height of its popularity nearly two years ago.  But then I got caught up with new SBMV patterns.  I purchased this Jalie a month ago, after the most current reviews convinced me to GET this pattern immediately.   After my recent experience, I regret not purchasing this much sooner.  I have had unexpected successes after jumping on much "delayed" bandwagons.


Pattern Description:
" Knit top with scarf collar that can be tied in many different ways: A- Through a buckle B- In a bow C - Through opening at center front Sleeveless or with short or three-quarter sleeve."  This is a multi-sized pattern of consisting of 27 sizes.  I referred to the chart showing the RTW sizes and the lettered sizes that corresponded to them. I sewed an "8" ("U") at the shoulders grading to a "12" ("Y" ) at the bust, waist, and hips.

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I used a delectable viscose-lycra jersey from EOS.  I did not mind paying more for a fabric that was very pleasant to work with and that is comfortable to wear due to its "breathability" factor.

Instructions
Overall the instructions for the top is understandable and more so with the diagrams.  However,  the steps for attaching the scarf collar using the burrito method (it must be my frame of mind that evening...) baffled me. Foolish me. After sewing the shoulder seams,  sewing the center seam of the scarf and attaching the right side of the edge of the scarf collar to the "wrong" side of the neckline, I relied on my experience with sewing tops with similar scarf collars such as a BWOF (now Burda Style) from September, 2007 that I sewed a few years ago:

 After sewing the collar to the neckline while making sure that the collar tie's center seam aligned with the center back of the top, I folded each of the tie ends, right sides together and stitched the seam from the front center of the blouse (where the neckline ruching starts) to the ends of the ties and turned the ties inside out. Then I folded the collar inward (outward for this Jalie due to the collar sewn to the inside of the top), with the raw edge tucked underneath, and top stitched close to the edge so that on the outside the stitching would appear very close to the seamline where the collar and neckline meet. I wonder if there is an existence of the phrase "instinctual sewing."

Favorite Features
*Scarf collar options (tied in a bow or or the ties secured with a buckle)

*Overall ease of construction

* If I had sewn this top non-stop, I would have completed the top in maybe just a few minutes short of 2 hours, wonderful for a first time user of this pattern. 

*I also like the flattering fit and the pattern seems to be drafted well to cover my figure flaws. Variations in fabric drape and stretch would seem to affect how loose or snug the wearer prefers to wear the top.

Questionable Features
*Although the depth of the neckline is still modest, I still would raise it at least an inch".

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
* I performed my typical petite adjustments at the waistline. 

* I lengthened each sleeve 3"

* Decreased width of scarf collar 1/2"


Stay Tuned
I have plans to make more with the given sleeve variations. If you do not have this pattern now, I recommend purchasing it immediately.  This pattern seems to flatter all figure types.  I wish I had purchased this Jalie sooner!