I generally like to write my blog posts in the same order that the garments were sewn, but that approach appears to have been tossed by the wayside!  The Jalie Bobbie V-neck top was sewn a couple of weeks ago.

I was looking to expand my tee patterns a little, and I always like a V-neck. However, they can be a little challenging to sew in soft knits. This pattern has a neckline facing rather than a banded finish, which gives a much nicer result, in my opinion.

The secret of this facing is that it’s essentially a fitted crop top. So it enables a lovely finish around the neckline, holds it to the body so you don’t have gaposis, and provides for coverage at the armholes, which are fairly low. Clever!

From the Jalie pattern page: Rounded-V neck dolman top with unique longer facing that keeps the neckline against the body and hides the bra at all times. No more layering, no more unwanted “reveals”, even when you bend over to pick up something on the ground or hail a cab! Rounded V-Neck, No bands or binding, Loose at the bust, tapered towards the hips. RECOMMENDED FABRIC: Fluid knit with nice drape and 20% stretch across the grain, with a soft hand. Double brushed poly is NOT recommended (it would cling to the facing).

I used a rayon knit remnant (I’m pretty certain it was from The Cloth Shop) for the outer, making sure that I ‘matched’ the stripes at the side seams. I used a plain white knit for the facing/crop, as I didn’t have enough of the stripe left. One of the good things about this pattern is that you can mix and match the fabrics used for the main top and the facing/crop. The facing/crop does show at the side seams when you raise your arms, so keep that in mind. It’s a good way to use up smaller pieces.

I made a few changes to the pattern before cutting out, after reading the reviews online. People seem to either really like this pattern or feel very ‘meh’ about it. As with many designs, I reckon it depends on what sort of fit you prefer! I shortened the pattern at both shorten/lengthen lines, removing a couple of inches from the length. I also graded down two sizes from the bust to the hip – very easy to do, as the side seams are a straight line. By the way this is a multi-sized pattern, covering 28 sizes starting with children. I am wracking my brain to remember if I also did a forward shoulder alteration – I don’t think that I did.

I reckon that I got the fit just right with this highly wearable muslin! I doubt that I’ll make any further changes unless I gain/lose weight. This would be a great shell top pattern for work if sewn in a sophisticated solid crepe knit or similar, and a great casual garment in something like the stripe that I used. It’s also very fast to sew. The facing/crop has the armholes edges simply turned and stitched, which worked perfectly using a zig zag on my knit, and the facing/crop hem is left raw. It could easily be converted into a shelf bra too, depending on the fabric used for the facing/crop and by adding elastic to the bottom. I am very short waisted, so the facing/crop almost comes to my waist. Depending on your torso length and bust depth you might want to alter the length and make it either shorter or longer. Either way, that’s easy to do.

This pattern is a winner, in my opinion! A great one to have in the knit tee/top arsenal.