I can rarely pass up a blog tour opportunity. I love the chance it gives me to try new patterns, play with pretty fabrics, and the deadline is always a big motivator to get me in my sewing room. I was especially thrilled to join in the Basically Jalie Blog Tour hosted by The Petite Sewist and Auschick Sews. Jalie is known for their impeccable drafting, huge size range, and classic designs. Speaking your love language too?!
Make sure you read to the end of this post for all the blog tour goodies- giveaways, sew-a-longs, and soooo many incredible bloggers joining the party!
I’ve had my eye on the Mimosa Scoopneck tee (3890) since it’s release. It’s full of options- multiple sleeve styles and lengths including plain short sleeves, tie short sleeves, flutter shoulder ruffles, and long sleeves. My favorite part of each sewing project is sitting down with my kids and picking fabrics and pattern options. I love to see what they gravitate to and it makes it so much more likely they’ll get lots of wear when they’re part of the design process.
My spunky Payton went for florals and ruffles. She’s still super girly and usually picks all the extras- ties, ruffles, ribbons, you name it. For this top, I dug deep into my Raspberry Creek Fabrics stash for a print I’ve been saving FOREVER. It’s one of my absolute favorites (I love anything on grey!) and I’d been keen to use it for myself. One of my goals this year is to CUT THE FABRIC, you know those ones too pretty to actually use… I’ve decided it’s soooo much better to see it on my kiddos or in my own closet than just sitting on my shelves. Remember, there’s always more fabric!
My oldest seriously kills me with her fashion taste. She tends to be more classic and dresses like a cute college kid and not your average 5th grader. It was no surprise she picked one of my new favorite fabrics, this dreamy modal jersey stripe from Cali Fabrics. It’s so incredible soft and those stripes are just perfection!
My girls measured into the same size for their chests which made it super easy. For Payton, I added an inch to the size L (8) bodice and sleeves and Sophie got 2 inches added to the bodice. There’s a lenghten/shorten line which made it easy peasy! Sewing these up was very straightforward and the instructions are so clear. I love that you can download the pattern instructions before purchasing the pattern. If it looks too complicated or time consuming you can skip it but I’ve always found it just the opposite! Looking over the tutorial beforehand gives me the confidence to tackle a new project.
My little guy lives in raglans and I’ve been hearing the greatest things about the Nico Raglan (3669). I’m thinking a boys raglan comparison post needs to happen soon. I have four raglan patterns that I rotate through but I think we may have found the winner. Just look at that neckline alone!
The slim fit just fits this kid so well! I did a size J (6) with a little length added. He’s generally in a size 7 height and measured into a size 5 chest, 6 waist, and 4 hip in this pattern. Is he my kid or what?! I’ve found that Jalie patterns tend to run on the slim side which works really well for my kids but might be something to consider. My older boys like things a little looser and I usually size up a couple of sizes for them.
His shirt is all cotton jersey from Raspberry Creek. He would have only teal in his closet if it were up to him and I’m happy to oblige. I used this triangle print (retiring this week!) for the sleeves and it’s been one of my favorite boy fabrics to date. I struggle finding just the right prints for him. He’s too big for most of the boy fabrics I find in the stores but RCF keeps him pretty well taken care of.
Ready for the good stuff?
GIVEAWAY!
Are there some Jalie patterns you’ve been itching to get? Now’s your chance to WIN YOUR JALIE WISHLIST! Head over to Jalie’s website, create an account, add your favorite patterns to your wishlist, and complete the rafflecopter form below (patterns must be added by February 12, 2019 11:59pm EST to be eligible). Incomplete entries will be eligible for fabric prizes only.
For extra entries, join our Jalie sewalong! Make a Jalie “basic” between January 28 and February 12 and share it on Instagram with hashtag #basicallyjalie and/or in the Basically Jalie Album in the Sewing with Jalie Facebook group.
We are so grateful to our generous sponsors who have teamed up to provide the following prizes (please stop by their shops and show them some love!):
Grand Prize (Worldwide)
Win Your Jalie Wishlist – Up to $100 CAD in patterns!
Discovery Trekking Outfitters – One (1) x 50 USD gift card
D&H Fabrics co. – One (1) x $50 USD gift card
Sewalong Prize (Continental USA only)
Win Your Jalie Wishlist – Up to $25 CAD in patterns!
The Sewciety – One (1) Subscription box (value: $48 USD)
Simply By Ti – One (1) x $20 USD gift card
Sewalong Prize (Worldwide, excluding Continental USA)
Win Your Jalie Wishlist – Up to $25 CAD in patterns!
PatternReview.com – One (1) x $30 USD gift card
Discovery Trekking Outfitters – One (1) x 50 USD gift card
(Note: gift cards exclude shipping unless otherwise stated on sponsor website)
Enter the Sweepstakes Here!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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
Gingham is one of those classic prints I just can’t get enough of. I love it in classic colors like navy, red, and black but it also signals spring to me in bright bold hues too. I was excited to get to play with Riley Blake Designs line of woven gingham. 
With so many cute colors and sizes to choose from, I had a tough choice when it came to picking fabrics. I imagined button-ups, sundresses, casual skirts, and fun summer totes. I picked fabric with plans for my first Hey June Cheyenne Top but once it arrived my head went spinning again into all the possibilities! Did I want to share it with my kids? Did I want tops or bottoms pieces? What about home decor pieces? Pillows, table runners, a cute valance for my sewing room? I tell you, gingham is just WAY too versatile!
For my first project I settled on a simple woven tee. I think this will be amazing to have in my wardrobe as we move into spring. It looks incredible layered under a cardigan and pairs so great with jeans or dressed up with a skirt.
I used the Hey June Key Largo Top in the basic view B. It’s got classic tee shaping, fitted through the shoulders and relaxed through the waist and hips. 
I busted out the white jeans for these pics for the first time in forever and can’t wait until it’s warm enough to wear this outfit in real life. It just screams warm weather chic!
For my next project I just had to make my second Justine Skirt from Ready to Sew. I sewed one up in a Raspberry Creek rayon challis and couldn’t stop at just one. The simple lines and understated style make this pattern a wardrobe staple. The best part? It’s FREE!
Second best part? Giant pockets!!! Hello! Those babies hold my cell phone, chapstick, and keys with room to spare. So so good!
I paired it with my standard v-neck tee and sandals for a casual take. I wore it to church after these pics with a sleek fitted tee, cardigan, and statement jewelry for a more polished look. I’m seriously giddy with all the outfit possibilities with this piece. I love navy with so many coordinating colors- mint, coral, red, fuchsia, mustard, kelly green, you name it! I’ll apologize in advance to all my real life friends for how much you’ll be seeing this skirt come summer.
These fabrics were so nice to work with. Using a woven gingham means no fading, no printing off grain, and lining up the print was easy peasy! It’s a great weight too, not too sheer or light but still has a bit of drape to it. It come in 1/4″ and 1/2″ wide prints to fit all your needs. I’ve already got a huge list going of all the gingham projects for spring and summer! How much gingham is too much gingham, you know, asking for a friend ;)?
SewSophieLynn 