Jocole PDF Sewing Patterns
Hello, lovely readers!!
Today, is my turn on the Jocole October Blog tour. I'm excited to share some Jocole love with you- Mama Style! While Jocole has many lovely patterns- for both girls AND ladies- I decided to do some self-care sewing and sew some things for ME! The focus of this blog tour was to highlight some Jocole PDF sewing patterns that would be great for layering, mixing and matching and getting ready for cooler months.
Check and check!
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First up, the Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top! The Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top is a simple, sleeveless dress that can be dressed up, or dressed down. This is the perfect wardrobe staple as it can be layered and accessorized to be worn year-round.
Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top pattern basics:
-The Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top is sized for XS-XXXL.
-The Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top PDF sewing pattern includes a fabric yardage chart, a sizing chart, a cutting chart, a pattern layout chart, a glossary of terms and tips and tricks to getting the best fit.
-The Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top has two neckline options- scoop or boatneck.
-The Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top has three hem lengths- tunic, knee and below knee.
-The Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top tutorial features shaded illustrations and numbered steps throughout.
-The Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top is written for wovens and does feature a back zipper. The pattern does say that lightweight knits can be used, as well.
After consulting the sizing chart, I sewed up a size small chest/hips graded out to a medium at the waist. I always have a hard time sewing for myself because I don't fit just one size when it comes to my measurements!
I did the boat neckline, knee-length dress option. I modified the pattern slightly by using a heavier weight ponte roma KNIT fabric (not terribly stretchy) found on the clearance table at my local Hancock fabrics. Because I used a knit, I did NOT have to use a zipper- the dress just slid over my head. (Yay! for no zippers!) In retrospect, I probably could have gotten away with doing a straight small (and not grading out to a medium in the waist) due to the use of knit fabric, Next time, next time....!
Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top- Neckline Detail
I love the way the Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top neckline s finished! It is finished using bias binding for a clean, finished neckline- so professional (If I do say so, myself! ;-)!! The boat neckline is not at all revealing and the Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top would meet even the strictest dress code!
This is the first outfit that I've sewn that used darts at the bust. Darts help to give an otherwise shapeless dress some form. The directions in the Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top tutorial really make it easy- trust me- you can do it! Even with learning a new skill (darts), I was able to easily sew up the Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top in minimal time.
I ended up having to fiddle with the openings at the arm. Because I'm shorter than the average 5'-5" woman that the pattern is written for, the arm holes were gaping when I first sewed up the Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top. However, it was an easy fix- just bring the underarm in a bit and- ta-da- fixed!
The Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top is perfect for wearing as-is, accessorized, or even layered with a scarf and cardi. I LOVE the way my Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress turned out and I can't wait to wear it to work!
Jocole Ladies A-Line Shift Dress and Top- Layered for Fall
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Next up is the Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts. The Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts are a skinny pants pattern with the ease and comfort of a comfy knit waistband. I'm a short girl and it's really tough to find pants that fit me correctly. I love the idea of making my own pants, to fit me, at just the right length!
Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts pattern basics:
-The Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts is sized for 00-28W.
-The Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts PDF sewing pattern includes a fabric yardage chart, a sizing chart, a cutting chart, a pattern layout chart, a glossary of terms and tips and tricks to getting the best fit.
-The Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts has seven length options- shorts, bermuda, clam digger, capris, ankle petite, regular and tall.
-The Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts has three waistband options- skinny, regular or fold-over waistband.
-The Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts includes pattern pieces/directions for optional front patch pockets and back pockets.
-The Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts tutorial features shaded illustrations and numbered steps throughout.
For my first attempt (also called a "muslin") at the Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts, I sewed a size six leg and hips graded out to an 8 for the waist, petite full length pants. I used a regular denim with no stretch found in my personal fabric stash.
The pants came together quickly and easily! The pattern is super easy to follow.
HOWEVER, when I went to try on the pants, I could barely get them on over my calves! Apparently, I have abnormally large calves that just don't fit into a typically-written pattern. Uh-oh! Good thing this first attempt was my muslin (aka, practice). (Not all was lost- I just chopped off the bottom of my muslin pair and made myself some cute, denim clam diggers! ;-)
So, back to the drawing board for me! To alter the pattern to fit my personal body shape, I had to do a little adjusting. I made the following alterations;
-I added 1/2" to the width of the front leg pattern piece. I added this width only to the bottom part of the pants leg (ie, where my calves hit).
-I added 1/4" width to the front of the pattern piece where the hips hit.
-Instead of cutting at the "petite" length, I added 1" to the overall length- not quite regular, not quite petite but JUST right for me!
-Next time (I did not do this for the pictured pair), I would also lower the back rise of the pants.
For the Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts that you see pictured, above, I used a stretch denim purchased locally off the clearance table at Hancock Fabrics. Boy, did that stretch make a world of difference!! I used super stretchy ITY black knit for the regular waistband and I included back pockets. I took the time to do some contrast top stitching along the length of the leg and the back pockets to make my Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts look more "professional." I'm so glad that I did!
Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts- Waistband Detail
Sewing the Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts was such a good lesson in learning to fit and sew for my body shape. I'm not typically a "skinny pants" kind of gal, but I love the way they look under an over-sized sweater, or layered with a cozy scarf for cooler months. The Jocole Ladies Skinny Pants, Capris and Shorts are definitely a great way for any woman, of any size, to sew up a pair of their very own, best-fitting skinny pants!
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Last, but not least, I sewed up the Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts. The Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts are a wideleg pants pattern with a comfy knit waistband.
Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts pattern basics;
-The Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts are sized for XS- XXXL.
-The Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts feature five lengths- short, capri, petite full, regular or tall.-The Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts PDF sewing pattern includes a fabric yardage chart, a sizing chart, a cutting chart, a pattern layout chart, a glossary of terms and tips and tricks to getting the best fit.
-The Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts has three waistband options- skinny, regular or fold-over waistband.
-The Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts includes pattern pieces for optional inseam pockets, patch pockets and optional extra wideleg.
-The Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts tutorial features shaded illustrations and numbered steps throughout.
I sewed up a size medium, petite regular, regular waistband Jocole Ladies Wideleg Pants, Capris and Shorts with inseam pockets. I purchased the drapey poly-rayon fabric at my local Hancock Fabrics (can you tell that I'm a regular there?! ;-).
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Because the ladies behind Jocole are so awesome, I'm doing a giveaway!! Yay!!They wanted me to share some Jocole love by giving away one Jocole PDF sewing pattern to one lucky winner. Go ahead and enter.... you won't regret it!! (Giveaway starts Friday, 10/23/15 and ends Sunday, 10/25/15. It's a short window of time, so don't delay!)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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So (or, should I say, "sew" ;-), there you have it- some beautiful wardrobe staples all thanks to some Jocole PDF sewing patterns! I learned some new techniques along the way, all while helping build my fall/winter wardrobe. Sew.Much.FUN!
***Disclosure: "I received free patterns in order to review this pattern for Jocole. The opinions expressed here are my own."***
7 comments:
Great looking outfits!
I like the A-line shift dress and top.
Im not sure, either the cross-over dress or pants.
I would like the A-Line shift dress!
I own pretty much every Jocole pattern #jocolefangirl I think the only thing left is the Jocole girl's peplum.
Great job on your oufits! Especially the fitting. I'd choose the Ladies Yoga A-Line Skirt pattern.
I like Jacole patterns. They're easy to sew and fit great! I like the wide leg pants and the dress/top patterns.
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