Pattern Review: Jalie Criss Cross Nursing Top

There are many nursing friendly patterns out there, but patterns specifically designed for nursing can be hard to come by. That’s where my love for Jalie comes in- they have a great line-up of patterns designed to make a nursing mama’s life easier (and what nursing mama doesn’t need a break somewhere?!) but it doesn’t stop there- most of these patterns also include non-nursing views as well, so they can be used long after baby has traded her milk fixation for PB&J and lego Duplo play.

Jalie 2787 is one of these great options, and I’ve been meaning to try it out for a while. This pattern, like many of their newer patterns, is available as a layered PDF, so you can easily print the size(s) you need. Jalie is known for being spot on in fit- they don’t include a lot of extra ease in their patterns, so go by your measured size, and blend if needed. I made a size P, blending to a Q in the hips, and it is nicely fitted, just as I would expect from the pattern envelope. Sizes 2-22 are included in this pattern (most Jalie patterns have this awesome size range!) so you can also make a matching top for your little one. Princess is still too small for the size 2, but I’m looking forward to matching with her next year!

I couldn’t resist playing with the lines of the top a bit, and using my floral stripe cotton-lycra strike off from Max and Meena for my first version. -I’m a sucker for a good floral/stripe combo, and the structured cotton lycra was a good match for this pattern (a drapey fabric like rayon spandex would work too, but it would yield a different look). I think I did almost too well with my stripe matching though- you can hardly see the cool crossover that’s the hallmark of this pattern!

I only made a couple minor changes during construction: I didn’t tack the front closed, as I was happy with the way it was, and I did a hidden bias binding for the neck edge to give it extra durability, as I knew I might be pulling it down to nurse (in addition to the option to go under- pulling it down from the top is easier for me when I’m baby-wearing) and didn’t want it to stretch out. In this method, the entire binding is hidden on the inside, so it gives a clean look and a stable edge.

I was surprised by how high the crossover hit on my neck- I suspect this is because size “P” is technically a child’s size, and the children’s sizes were probably designed for more modest coverage. I may try to figure out how to lower this in the future- it’s still very nursing accessible, but I just prefer a lower neckline. The option to to underneath the crossover is great though- while I don’t shy away from nursing in public, it’s nice to have a more modest option when needed.

What to check out my reviews of other nursing friendly and designed-for-nursing patterns? Check out the “Nursing” category on my blog HERE

Pattern is HERE and you can join the “Sewing with Jalie” Faebook group here for support and to show off your creations!

Fabric is on pre-order from Max and Meena through 7/31/17- check out all the options and order HERE

Note: For once, this post doesn’t contain any affiliate links 🙂 I purchased this pattern with my own funds, for the pleasure of sewing it and sharing it with you!

I’d love to stay connected with you! “Like” my page on Facebook (this really makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside) and follow me on Instagram!

 

 

Get notified of new posts via email


5 Comments

  1. Maria on July 18, 2017 at 8:41 am

    Love it! Looks great on you. Mine were not that high- definitely fully in the adult sizing myself. 😉

    • Sarah on July 21, 2017 at 9:00 am

      I think that’s why it was so high- and thank you! its a great pattern!

  2. Gabrielle Lévesque Baudet on July 24, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    Thanks Sarah, I like when you review nursing top patterns.

    • Sarah on July 24, 2017 at 6:33 pm

      Glad to hear it! I’ll keep it up!

  3. […] copycat websites purporting to sell the top I made out of custom knit (find the original blog post here […]

Leave a Comment