I made my first Jalie dress...

[isakswings]

it actually turned out pretty well! I was very proud of myself, I might add! Coach thought it looked good too! I'm getting there...soon enough I will be able to make comp dresses! YAY.

I do have a question for those who have made Jalie dresses... do the panties run small(or rather narrow)? Dd did not complain when the dress was on her, but both of us noticed how skinny the crotch was! Any ideas about that one?? Maybe it is something I did when I traced the pattern? I don't think so, because I double checked every piece I traced. :) Overall, I loved the pattern and found it easy to follow and can't wait to make another one!!

Now I need to find a serger on major sale! My husband's aunt has a nice one... and I may use hers until I can buy one. :)

[Skittl1321]

I think I've read in lots of places the panty runs narrow.

I added a bit to the crotch, and lowered the rise of the leg when I made these dresses.

[Bunny Hop]

I had also heard that the pants ran small before I made a Jalie dress, so I added a generous amount when I was cutting the pattern.

My bigger problem was that it was also incredibly short waisted! I'm 'in proportion' in that regard and had made plenty of (ordinary) dresses before without having to add length to the waist. I ended up having to cut off the top and turned it into a skating skirt instead of a dress - it was that bad!

[Sessy]

Dd did not complain when the dress was on her, but both of us noticed how skinny the crotch was! Any ideas about that one??

Jalie is notorious for the crotch and panties thing, they really ride up and all that. Just make it wider on the pattern or cut it wider (and lower at the hip). You can always cut off more later. Or get quicksew, but I found there I needed to adjust the back for myself. In truth, sewing from patterns is far from an exact science.

I tend to transfer a pattern onto paper, make it from really cheap material (with the same stretch properties though) and see how it works out. Best case scenario, you have a training dress, worst case, you waisted an hour and a few bucks. Generally, it will require adjustment, which I then also do to the pattern, and then I keep the patterns I have ever used to use again and again and again in the future, cuz I know they work (or don't work, and how to fix it).

It's just one of those things. If you're interested in making a pattern completely to your body, there's quite a bit of theory involved (it is possible to do, though). Go here for information: http://www.patternschool.com/

[isakswings]

I had also heard that the pants ran small before I made a Jalie dress, so I added a generous amount when I was cutting the pattern.

My bigger problem was that it was also incredibly short waisted! I'm 'in proportion' in that regard and had made plenty of (ordinary) dresses before without having to add length to the waist. I ended up having to cut off the top and turned it into a skating skirt instead of a dress - it was that bad!

Really? That is one thing I liked better then the Kwik Sew patterns I have used. I have to add torso length to the quick sew patterns but this one was perfect on dd! Different body types I suppose??

[isakswings]

Jalie is notorious for the crotch and panties thing, they really ride up and all that. Just make it wider on the pattern or cut it wider (and lower at the hip). You can always cut off more later. Or get quicksew, but I found there I needed to adjust the back for myself. In truth, sewing from patterns is far from an exact science.

I tend to transfer a pattern onto paper, make it from really cheap material (with the same stretch properties though) and see how it works out. Best case scenario, you have a training dress, worst case, you waisted an hour and a few bucks. Generally, it will require adjustment, which I then also do to the pattern, and then I keep the patterns I have ever used to use again and again and again in the future, cuz I know they work (or don't work, and how to fix it).

It's just one of those things. If you're interested in making a pattern completely to your body, there's quite a bit of theory involved (it is possible to do, though). Go here for information: http://www.patternschool.com/

Thanks for the link! I will check that out. :) I would like to learn how to customize the patterns for dd. :) Luckily, the only problem I have run across has been the panty of the Jalie pattern. I did add a bit of width in the crotch area and had dd try the panty on. It's better but not perfect yet. :) Dd did say the panty in the dress I made her did not ride up, so that is good. I've made Kwik Sew patterns and I have to make sure I adjust the elastic right or the butt is too baggy! But... I have made enough of their panties to know how to adjust them to fit dd. I thought about trying to use a Kwik sew panty with this dress, but not sure if it will work or not. Right now I am working on a dress for dd's bestfriend's birthday. When I am done with this dress, I am planning on making dd another Jalie dress. Maybe I will play around with the patterns then!

[Bunny Hop]

Really? That is one thing I liked better then the Kwik Sew patterns I have used. I have to add torso length to the quick sew patterns but this one was perfect on dd! Different body types I suppose??Yes, it will be a body type thing. I don't think the pattern made enough allowance for 'larger ladies', even though I was using the largest size. It wasn't just a small difference. Oh, and thank for the heads up about Kwik Sew patterns, as I have a couple of those, but haven't made them yet.

[Sessy]

A disturbing afterthought - did you use 4-way stretch lycra with the recommended stretchyness EXACTLY as the pattern specified? Even using stretch velvet with a pattern that is made for stretch lycra can result in, well, the body not stretching enough in width or length, thus causing it to appear as if the bodice is too short for example.

[Purple Sparkly]

I use both Kwik Sew and Jalie patterns. Jalie patterns definitely have tiny butt pieces. They are shorter on the sides and skinnier in the crotch. The last time I made a Jalie pattern, I matched up the Jalie waistline to a Kwik Sew panty piece. It fit much better than my previous attempts to adjust Jalie's pattern. Keep in mind Kwik Sew has a seam down the back of the panty and Jalie does not. I like to go a little smaller than the instructions on my elastic pieces and I prefer the knit elastic to the braided.

I also went down two sizes from my measurements for the last Jalie dress. I used a plain stretch lycra with four way stretch. The previous Jalie dress I made was with four way stretch velvet and it was really too big. If you use panne, you may want to go up a size because it doesn't stretch as well or cut a piece with stretch going vertical instead of horizontal on the panty.

I trace my patterns onto white all-purpose paper (like you would use for a banner). They tend to roll a little when I'm not using them. It beats paying for a new pattern to make a different size.

[sk8lady]

Jalie patterns definitely have tiny butt pieces. They are shorter on the sides and skinnier in the crotch.

You don't know how glad I am to hear this. I've always added a generous amount to the panties but I thought I just had a giant butt!! ;)

[Bunny Hop]

A disturbing afterthought - did you use 4-way stretch lycra with the recommended stretchyness EXACTLY as the pattern specified? Even using stretch velvet with a pattern that is made for stretch lycra can result in, well, the body not stretching enough in width or length, thus causing it to appear as if the bodice is too short for example.It's true that I did use stretch velvet rather than lycra (lycra is not a flattering fabric on me!!), which could account for some of the problem, but it was still, how shall I put this, crotch-stranglingly short! 8O;)

[cazzie]

Well done! I've now tried two dresses and they both look ghastly! I really admire anybody who can learn to sew!

So - can we have a photo soon please?

[isakswings]

Yes, it will be a body type thing. I don't think the pattern made enough allowance for 'larger ladies', even though I was using the largest size. It wasn't just a small difference. Oh, and thank for the heads up about Kwik Sew patterns, as I have a couple of those, but haven't made them yet.

I like Kwik Sew! I think they have a better selection for women then for girls, so I am excited to try another pattern once dd can wear the XS womens size! :)

[isakswings]

A disturbing afterthought - did you use 4-way stretch lycra with the recommended stretchyness EXACTLY as the pattern specified? Even using stretch velvet with a pattern that is made for stretch lycra can result in, well, the body not stretching enough in width or length, thus causing it to appear as if the bodice is too short for example.

Yup. I used 4 way stretch lycra. :)

[isakswings]

I use both Kwik Sew and Jalie patterns. Jalie patterns definitely have tiny butt pieces. They are shorter on the sides and skinnier in the crotch. The last time I made a Jalie pattern, I matched up the Jalie waistline to a Kwik Sew panty piece. It fit much better than my previous attempts to adjust Jalie's pattern. Keep in mind Kwik Sew has a seam down the back of the panty and Jalie does not. I like to go a little smaller than the instructions on my elastic pieces and I prefer the knit elastic to the braided.

I also went down two sizes from my measurements for the last Jalie dress. I used a plain stretch lycra with four way stretch. The previous Jalie dress I made was with four way stretch velvet and it was really too big. If you use panne, you may want to go up a size because it doesn't stretch as well or cut a piece with stretch going vertical instead of horizontal on the panty.

I trace my patterns onto white all-purpose paper (like you would use for a banner). They tend to roll a little when I'm not using them. It beats paying for a new pattern to make a different size.

Thanks for all the feedback! I will have to try a Kwik sew panty on a Jalie pattern. :)

[isakswings]

Well done! I've now tried two dresses and they both look ghastly! I really admire anybody who can learn to sew!

So - can we have a photo soon please?

Thanks! I am quite pleased. :) Sure... let me see if I can upload one! I just finished the same dress for dd's friend for her birthday! They aren't perfect yet, but better. I now have a serger to use and I LOVE that I can serge hems! I am also excited to serge seams!

[isakswings]

Photo of Jalie dress

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/isaks_wings/p_00138.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/isaks_wings/p_00112.jpg Dd in it.

Same dress in blue made for dd's friend. I serged the hems on this one. Not sure what the skirt is doing in the pic tho! Must be pulling up some, because it looks normal on and when sitting on the floor. LOL!

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/isaks_wings/p_00143.jpg

I am still a beginner, but I am learning and I think I should be able to make her comp dresses before long.

Here are a couple photos of some kwik sew dresses I made for dd. These are of the 1st and second dress I made her.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/isaks_wings/p_00074.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b121/isaks_wings/p_00076.jpg

Anyway, I am sure I've posted more then enough dresses now. :)

[cazzie]

Thanks for sharing those! Look great.

I've thought and thought about a serger but - no point unless my basic sewing skill improves! (LOL)