About 2 weeks ago I was chosen to test the new Josephine Jumper by Rebecca Page.
After a few issues with facebook and getting accepted into the group they set up for it, I finally got to download the pattern and instructions.
25 pages of instructions and 29 pages of actual pattern later and I had something to work with. I drafted off the size I needed (XL) then picked my fabric - a floral knit. I did think of using a stripe but there was slightly more of the floral.
Laying out the pattern pieces I notice the grain line on the front is perpendicular to the back - what the.....
I decide to just go with it as my fabric is not directional and has 2 way stretch.
Sewed the front 2 bits together - I now have a piece of fabric that is about 1.5m long that I have to attach to the back. The fabric is slippery and drapey and just won't stay still.
So I have one shoulder seam sewn and now I have to twist the front over one full circle to sew the other shoulder seam. Ok that's easy.
Not adding sleeves even though I did cut them out. I decided a top/jumper with floral sleeves is not a good look.
Found my marks to clip where indicated. Hemmed where told to (after hemming the wrong side and unpicking it).
Moving on to attach the cowl to the back of the neck. UUMMMM. The written instructions do not make much sense. Now I know how the Cali Mums feel. Thank goodness for pics in the instructions.
Follow the pics, get the back neck sewn. Wait - my clipped marks do not match up! Post pic and ask question about if they should. Get different answers, some saying fabric has stretched, some saying there's was the same. Decided to just extend the seam to the hem. What else can I do.
On the home stretch now. Hemmed the bottom edge and the armholes. Yay! Finished.
Now to put it on to see if it fits. It's a twisted up puzzle (I won't say mess) to put on. I had to find the back of the cowl seam, use it find the shoulder seams and then the armholes, slide my arm into one armhole and then across to the other armhole. I put it on a hanger to see how it looks. Oooh, I think I like it.
Pop it on and head to the bathroom with my camera. Urgh - need to clean mirror and clean up bench. That's done. Take front facing selfie in the mirror, take side facing pic in the mirror. Decide I can't take a pic of the back with this camera. Also decide I need someone else to take these pics for me.
Upload the front facing pic to the testing group with a promise of more to come.
I like the fit, just not the amount of fabric at the back of my neck (but I did make it on a warm autumn day). The admin for the group comments on my post saying "ooh I love this on you". I feel quite please with myself.
24 Hours later and it seems I made a booboo. I chose the size according to my upper arm measurement, not my hip measurement. Doing so would have meant I was to make the 3XL which is a full 8 inches (20cm) wider all around. As this is my first test for anyone I put it down to newbie eagerness.
So now for the final make I suppose I should make the larger size. I was planning on making it in a grey cotton lycra, but I am not sure I would wear it with such a loose fit.
The item is described as a relaxed fit that is super comfy, sporty yet elegant. A lot of the pics I have seen show garments that, to my mind, seem to be too big on the wearer. Some of the wearers have even stated they feel theirs is too big, others have liked their make.
Sitting there typing this up I am thinking I might make the larger size as per the instructions, post up the pics of the final garment like a good girl. Then when it's over run it in to the smaller size. Though maybe the cotton lycra will behave differently to the floral polyester knit used as the first test make and I will like the final make. Time will tell.
Mind you I did ask if there would be some adjustment to the pattern/instructions between the first and final makes that we had to accommodate - I didn't get an answer.
