Date: 2/5/10 10:09 AM

It seems a lot of you have sewn both the Jalie scoopneck and the Hot Patterns Sunshine top. Looking at pics and drawings, these tops seem to have a lot in common.
So for those of you who've taken the plunge into both these pools, which do you like better? Which is easier to sew? What are some of the fit differences?
Thanks!

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Reply to crazygrad
Date: 2/5/10 10:27 AM

They are both my favorites.

(Well, the Jalie with the foldover/waterfall front. The gathered UN-folded over version is good but I prefer the folded over view.)

The Jalie is easier to sew because there's less gathering/pulling up gathers to deal with, and the HP has the 2-sided facings which take a little more time.

But neither one is hard to sew by any means. And I don't think they have so much in common as to be interchangeable or similar looking. Which is why I recommend buying and making both.

I've made multiples of both of these patterns and I wear them all ALL THE TIME.

ETA: Just saw you mentioned fit differences. For me, I didn't have to do a "real" FBA on either. I just picked the size by my upper chest and graded outward at bust level. Had to increase bicep width of Jalie sleeve (can't remember if I had to for HP) because Jalie has tighter sleeves to start. I believe I also needed to raise the armhole of the Jalie.

HTH




-- Edited on 2/5/10 10:29 AM --

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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com

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Reply to Debbie Cook
Date: 2/5/10 10:34 AM

I was hoping you'd weigh in on this! I've read your reviews on these. I personally LOVE the tops you make. You have a great eye for print and design combos.

Thanks for the input. I actually have both. I lost my Jalie mojo a while ago because of those insane sleeves.

Maybe I should just crack out some inexpensive knit in the stash and make one? Then enter in the stash contest... Need more coffee...

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Reply to crazygrad
Date: 2/8/10 8:10 AM

The sunshine top does have a tight sleeve and the armhole is strangely high. It does have a great shape through the belly, the drapes go out towards the side and it's very slimming, I also think it looks better a bit longer than the pattern calls.

I haven't made the Jalie top.

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Annette
http://needlesnails.blogspot.com/

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Date: 2/8/10 12:54 PM

I agree with Annette--watch for the high armhole and sleeve tightness on the Sunshine top. The nice thing about these is that these are VERY easy fixes to make, and you can catch if it's going to be an issue for you in the tissue fitting stage.

I made 3 sunshine tops last summer and love them.

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--Michelle

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Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/

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Date: 2/8/10 2:42 PM

Just shows how everyone is different ... I didn't think the Sunshine top had a high armhole because that's what I prefer! Tight-ish sleeves -yes, but that's because I have full arms. I don't think they are abnormally tight.

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"I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch." — Gilda Radner
http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com

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Date: 2/8/10 9:20 PM

See, this is just the kind of discussion I was hoping to see! I want to see people toss around stuff about the sleeves and arm holes or whatever!!

This discussion, in particular, is VERY helpful for me! I was hoping to make one of these sleeveless (despite my weird arms) for the summer. So it is good to know the armholes may be high. As for sleeves, I can look at your arms to get an idea for my sleeves.

Thanks and keep it coming, belles!
-Linda

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Date: 2/8/10 10:09 PM

Having to scoop out the armhole because it's too high for me, isn't an unheard of adjustment for me, but it's one that I don't usually make too often. I do have full upper arms (and often have to adjust for it), and while I wouldn't say that this sleeve was particularly tight, I definitely needed to adjust for it on this pattern.

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--Michelle

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Blog: http://happilycaffeinated.blogspot.com/

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Date: 2/9/10 7:57 AM

A high armhole IS great for a sleeveless style. I saw a sleeveless nightgown in the store and the bottom portion of the armhole had elastic in it and it looked like it would nicely hug the body. I want to keep that idea in mind, I see it working well with a princess seam, where the side front/back are the portions that have the elastic.

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Annette
http://needlesnails.blogspot.com/

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Date: 2/9/10 8:20 AM

I like the elastic in the lower armhole idea. I really don't like gaping sleeveless tops and will keep this in mind.

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