JLH Curve Sorrel Dress Coming Soon...

I'm so excited for this one! 

The extended sizes JLH Curve Sorrel Dress pattern will be here in a few short weeks - it will include C to F cups and range from a size 16 up to a size 34 (that's a 159.5cm or 62 3/4" hip circumference measurement).

Sorrel will be released to the public at 8am on Wednesday 20th April (NZ time) BUT if you'd like to be the first to see it, and nab that subscriber-only discount (that applies to both the Original and new Curve sizes, as well as the bundle) then make sure you sign up to my newsletter before the pattern goes live.

Sign up here to see Sorrel first!

Look forward to seeing you in 2 weeks time...

xx

Jen

Tutorial - How to attach the Esme Top Neckline

I have an exciting (?!) tutorial for you today - I'm showing you how I attach the neckline for the Esme Top, and it might be a little different to what you're used to!

I use this technique for both the shawl collar and the V neckline, and this is how I instruct you to do it in the Esme Top instructions. 

What do you think? Will you give it a go? It always results in a clean neckline for me when I do it this way, so I'm very interested to know how you get on with it.

Esme is available in both the Original and Curve sizes, A to F cups, size 6-34! You can purchase your pattern here.

xx

Jen

Pricing Changes coming April 2022...

Way back in April last year, I wrote about needing to increase the prices of my digital patterns. I did end up splitting the size ranges as I said I would back then, but have held back on increasing the overall prices for as long as I could.

The time has now come for me to implement the changes I talked about nearly a year ago - helping me to keep up with the increasing costs I've been absorbing for several years now. These new price-points also keep me more inline with other indie designers, while still keeping me at the lower end of this spectrum.

I hope the value I provide with my patterns - 6 individual cup sizes, an increased size range (a total of 15 sizes), along with the Original+Curve Bundle option I offer, will more than make up for this small pricing increase.  Along with the continued sizing expansion of older patterns and all new-release patterns being made available in the Original and Curve sizing.

Digital Pattern Prices will increase on the 1st April 2022, NZDT

• All individual pattern sets (JLH Original or JLH Curve) will retail for $14.50USD.
  
  
• Original + Curve Bundles, (which includes both Original & Curve sizes), will retail for $21USD.
  
  
• To standardise pricing across the board, the Ostara Top and the Nixie & Trixie Briefs will all go up to the standard individual $14.50USD price bracket.
  
  
• The Gable Dress expansion pack will go up to $6.50USD and the Gable Bundle will go up to $18USD.

You still have a couple of weeks to snap up any patterns you've been lusting after at the current prices.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

xx

Jen

NEW PATTERN RELEASE - The Updated & Extended Ivy Pinafore Pattern!

The Ivy Pinafore...
Now available in JLH Curve sizes (16-34, C to F cups)
with added cup sizes, A to D, in the Original size range.

The next pattern to get a make-over is finally HERE... Not only is the popular Ivy Pinafore now available in the JLH Curve sizes (16-34, C to F cups) but the Original version now includes A to D cups as well!

Ivy is one of those patterns that I released many years ago - pre-Original cup sizes and layers - and I've had people asking for the expanded sizes over and over again.

So it's with utmost pleasure that I'm here today letting you know that the updated pattern and extended sizes are now available and that they now also include layers (something that many of you will be very happy about!).

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Ivy is modelled here with the Gable Top - 

also available in the JLH Curve sizes + extended cup sizes in the Original pattern.

Ivy is a classic JLH pinafore pattern with two very different views.

View 1 - the tent-style dress - is all about the drama, where as View 2 (the slim-line) is more like a shift-dress and casual in its silhouette.

Taking inspiration from the 60s, Ivy has yoked necklines that fasten with a button at the front (you don't need to make this functional though, Ivy has enough ease to slip over your head), side seam pockets and is fully lined (check out this tutorial if you don't want a fully lined garment).

Ivy was originally designed to be paired the the Gable Top; though you could also choose the fuller sleeves of the Aisling blouse to give you a completely different look.

JLH Cup Sizes

Ivy comes with C-F cups in the new JLH Curve sizes and has also been updated to include the A to D cups that you now expect with all JLH Original patterns (Ivy was released before I introduced cup sizes into my patterns). Check out the JLH Sizes here.

Check out the Finished Garment Measurements and read through the new 'Intended Fit' section included in the instructions, to see what might suit you and your personal tastes when it comes to wearing ease.

Tatenda wears a 24E cup, graded to a 28 waist in the slim and a 26 in the tent  - you can read more about her on the pattern listing page here.

Skill Level

Ivy is a great project for the adventurous beginner seamstress and beyond.

Learn techniques like inserting darts, top-stitching and how to full line a garment.

Fabric Suggestions

Ivy works a treat in sturdier fabrics like denim, corduroy and wool. Perfect for layering up in the cool mixed weather of Autumn and Spring.

View 1 would also look gorgeous in floatier fabrics like silks and cotton voiles, or even a sateen for a glam night out. (Just add sparkly yoke fabric, dramatic winged eyeliner and a beehive - are you with me?!).

Free Original Pattern Update

If you've purchased Ivy in the past, you are eligible to get the new and improved Original pattern update for free. Just forward your receipt (or the email you checked out under and I can find it) to jen at jenniferlaurenhandmade dot com and I'll send along the updated pattern.

Please be patient with me, as there will be a lot of you - I'll be working my way systematically though.

Apologies that I can't quite make my back-end re-send all previous purchases of Ivy - it's a shortcoming that I'm trying to find a work around for, especially as more updated patterns continue to be released throughout the year.

Digital Release Only

You can choose to purchase your pattern either as an individual size range (Original or Curve), OR in an economical bundle if you'd like to have both ranges on hand.

Your pattern will be delivered instantly to your inbox after you check out, and from there, you can choose my easy-to-assemble print-at-home file, or send the A0 file to a Print Shop and have them print it for you.

The Layers Function is included in all pattern files, so you can turn on and off any number of/combination of sizes your heart desires. There will be no paper patterns at this stage.

Purchase Ivy Now!

You can purchase your Ivy Pinafore in the individual size ranges (Original or Curve) separately, or both together in the economical Bundle Option.

I'd love to hear how you're getting along making your Ivy Pinafore and how you're finding the new Curve sizes, so why not tag me on Instagram or use the hashtags #JLHIvyPinafore, #JLHIvy or #JLHCurve.

xx

Jen

NEW PATTERN RELEASE - The JLH Curve Pippi Pinafore

Why hello there! Here's to starting 2022 as I mean to continue, with the first new Curve re-release of one of my most popular patterns, the Pippi Pinafore!

Pippi is now officially available in the JLH Curve size range - sizes 16 to 34 with C to F cups!

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Pippi is modelled here with the Esme Top - also available in the JLH Curve sizes.

The Details 

Pippi has become a staple pattern for many sewists. A bib-style pinafore, Pippi includes darts for fabulous shaping over the bust, cross-over straps at the back, deep patch pockets and a vintage-styled side button fastening, what's not to love?!

The pleated front skirt and darted back skirt create shape over the hips, and the relaxed waistline gives the finished garment a casual yet practical feel, especially when paired with a fitted knit top like Gable or Esme (both also available in the Curve sizes) or a blousy shirt style like the Aisling Blouse (coming in Curve sizes soon!).

Choose whether to use overall hardware for your finished garment, or use what you've got on hand and follow the included instructions to construct a buttonhole & button strap fastening combo.

JLH Curve Cup Sizes

Pippi comes with C to F cups in the JLH Curve size range. Check out the Finished Garment Measurements included in the instructions to see what might suit you and your personal tastes when it comes to wearing ease.

Tatenda wears a 24E cup, graded to a 28 waist - you can read more about her on the pattern listing page here.

Skill Level

Pippi is a perfect project for the adventurous beginner seamstress and beyond. Learn techniques like top-stitching, constructing a side button fastening and attaching patch pockets.

Digital Release Only

You can choose to purchase your pattern either as an individual size range (both Original and Curve), OR in an economical bundle option if you'd like to have both ranges on hand.

Your pattern will be delivered instantly to your inbox after you check out, and from there you can choose my easy-to-assemble print at home file or sed the A0 file to a Print Shop and have them print it for you.

The Layers Function is included in all pattern files, so you can turn on and off any number/combination of sizes your heart desires.

Check out the listing page for more details on the Pippi Pinafore!

I'd love to hear how you're getting along with Pippi, why not tag me on Instagram or use the hashtags #JLHPippiPinafore #PippiPinafore or #JLHCurve!

xx

Jen

The End of Another Year...

Millie says Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Oh 2021, what strange one you were...

I can't quite gather all of my feelings for 2021 into one space, they feel like they're scattered to all parts of the sphere, much like 2021 was in general really. Fragmented and disorganised, with some sparkly, glittery bits sprinkled throughout, along with several doses of sharp pointy bits for good measure - just to make sure I was awake and paying attention. 

If I can take anything away from 2021 JLH Business-wise though, it's that I've laid some really good foundations for what 2022 will be.  And those foundations should flow into other things, making life in general, a little more flowy...

I'm summing this past year up as a ground-work, foundation-building year for all the fruit that 2022 will hopefully bear - while hopefully not putting too much pressure on the new year. I made that mistake with 2021 and have felt the disappointment of not living up to these plans throughout the entire year.  

As I said, this year didn't come to fruition as I had intended. I didn't release as many new patterns as I had hoped,  I didn't re-release as many older patterns as I had planned. I didn't do as many tutorials as I had wanted, and I didn't do any Sew Alongs as intended.  However, all of these things have either been planned/sketched/filmed/photographed/fitted/written etc to some extent this year, all culminating in what I hope will be a fruitful 2022. 

2022 has lots in store pattern release-wise - I have no less than three wrap dresses to drop, a free pattern that I hope will give you a glimpse into how JLH patterns fit if you've never made one of my patterns before. As well as my version of a relaxed yet glam lounge/PJ set and several re-releases of popular older patterns in my new sizings (Original 6-24 A to D cups and Curve 16-34 C to F cups).

I'll be taking some time away over the next few weeks to gather myself up, recharge, and step into the new year with a little more knowledge, wisdom, and perspective than I had this time last year. I'll be dropping in and out until the end of January 2022, and will be back to full steam early February when school here in NZ goes back.

I hope you're all able to take some time to rest and recuperate. If you're in the southern hemisphere, enjoy this summer sun, and for those in the northern hemisphere, enjoy all the cosy, close darkness that winter brings.

See you on the other side,

xx

Jen

30% off STOREWIDE! Sale on now!

It's time for my biggest sale of the year - if you've had your eye on a few JLH patterns then, why not snap them up for 30% off.

Use the code THANKYOU2021 at the check out.

Sale ends Monday 29th November at 11.59pm NZDT (that's New Zealand time BTW). 

I can't wait to see what you're snapping up for your end-of-year making list.

xx

J