NEW PATTERN RELEASE: The Esme Top in sizes 6-34 A to F cups!

Esme sports a gentle, 50s inspired batwing sleeve and your choice of a shawl collar or V-neckline. A quick and satisfying make, Esme is the perfect palate-cleanser between more involved projects.

Say hello to the Esme Top! With so many options included to personalise your Esme, you'll be hard pressed to choose which mix'n'match options to make first.

From cuffed long or short sleeves, to long-line or regular bodice lengths to shawl or V-necklines, Esme has something for everyone and every season.

The perfect project to get you out of that mid-summer/winter sewing funk, Esme is comfortable, satisfying and so quick to whip up - with its batwing-style grown-on sleeve, you'll have a brand new set of lovely knit top layers before you know it.

Esme comes in both the Original and Curve size ranges, from 6 to 34 in A to F cups.

Esme was modelled here with the Bastion Culottes (available in both the Original and Curve size ranges) and model's own jeans.

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Original pattern, V neckline, Short sleeve.
95% cotton, 5% spandex knit fabric.

Curve pattern, Shawl Collar, Long sleeve, regular length bodice.
100% Merino fabric.

Original pattern, Shawl Collar, Long sleeve, regular length bodice.
100% Merino fabric.

Curve pattern, V neckline, Short sleeve.
95% cotton, 5% spandex knit fabric.

Pattern Details

Made with comfy stretch knits, Esme is a quick sew that doesn't use much fabric. With both a regular and long-line bodice included, Esme can be worn tucked in or out for year-round comfort.

The Shawl Collar variation looks great teamed with a pair of denim slacks or cropped pencil jeans for a retro Teddy Girl vibe. Alternatively, tuck a long-line V-necked Esme into your favourite high-waisted skirt for the perfect casual Marilyn look.

The grown-on, 50s-style batwing sleeve can be worn short or extended (using the included Long Sleeve pattern piece) and Esme is perfect for colour and pattern blocking. Both the long and short sleeves include cuffed hemlines that are great for using up odd bits of knit scraps you have tucked away in your sewing room.

Esme is easy to grade under the arm for a more exaggerated batwing sleeve if that's more your style. Look out for tutorials coming your way very soon.

Skill Level

Esme is designed for confident beginners through to advanced seamstresses. If you've never sewn with knits before, Esme could be the perfect project to dip your toes into the wonderful world of knits.

With a special technique for getting the perfect squared off necklines, you'll be wondering why you didn't jump in ages ago.

Sizing

The Esme Top includes both the Original and Curve size ranges. The Original includes sizes 6 to 24 with integrated cup size bodices A+B and C+D. The Curve sizes include sizes 16-34 with integrated cup size bodices C+D and E+F. You can read about the new sizing here.

Depending on the size range you choose and your cup size, Esme can have slight negative to slight positive ease at the bust, to zero/positive ease at the waist.

If you're worried about choosing a size, I've also included a whole bunch of additional Finished Garment Measurements - simply compare these measurements to a knit top you already like the fit of (or one you know you'd like to alter) and you'll be surprised at how much of the hard stuff is already done.

Multiple Bust Cups: A to F

Due to the nature of knit fabrics and the gentle batwing sleeve, two cup sizes are integrated per front bodice - A+B and C+D Original, and C+D and E+F Curve.  This gives a total of 4 front bodice pattern pieces to choose from (rather than 8 separated cups).

Fabric Options

Look for medium knit fabrics with good stretch across the grain. Knits should gave 40% stretch with good recovery.

The long sleeved Esme works well in floppier/drapier knits with less structure. In this case, if using the shawl collar, you may wish to interface this to keep it looking crisp and staying upright during wear.

All variations (bindings, shawl collar, long sleeve piece, cuffs) can be made with the same fabric as the body, or a contrasting fabric for colour and pattern blocking potential.

Meet the Models

In the Meet the Models section on the Esme shop listing, you can find model information like their measurements, the size and block (Original or Curve) they are wearing, as well as any pattern adjustments made to suit their individual bodes.

A huge thank you to Tatenda for modelling the Curve 24E+F Esme tops. 

Purchase your Esme Top!

Digital Release Only

You will receive your pattern delivered instantly to your inbox upon check out.

From there, you can choose my easy-to-assemble print-at-home file or you can send the A0 file to a Printshop 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. There will be no paper patterns available for Esme at this stage.

I'd love to hear how you're getting along making your Esme tops - why not tag me on Instagram or use the hashtags #JLHEsmeTop, #SewJLH or #JLHCurve so I can see and share your makes!

xx

J

New Pattern Coming Soon... The Esme Top!

The Esme Top sewing pattern will be landing next week! I like to think of Esme as a sewing palate-cleanser between more involved makes - I designed it right after finishing off the Willa Wrap Coat, when I needed a breather and something quick, easy and satisfying to make.

Esme sports a gentle 50s inspired batwing sleeve with both long and short sleeve options. You can then choose either a Shawl Collar or V neckline and long-line or regular bodice lengths. So many options all in one cute little pattern - perfect to get you out of your mid-winter or summer sewing funk.

Sign up to my newsletter here so you can be the first to see it and get access to the subscriber-only discount!

Esme comes in both the JLHOriginal size range (6-24 A to D cups) and the JLHCurve size range (16-34 C to F cups). 

Can't wait to show you next week...

xx

J

NEW PATTERN RELEASE! JLH Curve Bastion Culottes & Gable Top (now with cup sizes!)

The Bastion Culottes and the Gable Top are now officially available in the new JLHCurve Size Range!

I am beyond thrilled to be abe to release the Bastion Culottes and the Gable Top in the new JLH Curve size range - that's sizes 16 to 34, C to F cups!

AND I've also added additional cup sizes into the Original Gable Top pattern as well - read on to find out more...

The JLH Curve Gable Top

Gable has become such a classic, it was one of the patterns I've had the most requests to re-release in the JLH Curve size range, so, here we are!

The Gable Top has a classic true-slash neckline paired with a long-line body (originally intended to tuck into high-waisted circle skirts) as well as a range of sleeve lengths from long & short to cuffed, to take you throughout the seasons.

Gable is a semi-fitted knit top with negative to zero ease depending on your cup size, and it's a super quick and easy pattern to whip up in an afternoon.

JLH Curve Cup Sizes

For this re-release, Gable has two cups integrated together per front bodice: C+D cups and E+F cups.

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+F cup - you can read more about her on the pattern listing page here.

Original Gable Top Cup Sizes

Yes, you read that right, the Original Gable Top pattern now comes in cup sizes as well!  You can choose from an A+B cup front bodice or a C+D cup front bodice.

If you've purchased the Original Gable Top in the past and would like a free update, please forward your reciept on to me at jen at jenniferlaurenhandmade dot com and I'll send you the update.

I'll be working through these as quickly as possible, but please be patient. There are a lot of you, so it may take several days before it hits your inbox.

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The JLH Curve Bastion Culottes

Pants pretending to be a skirt, and perfect when paired with a Gable Top (if I do say so myself...)

The Bastion Culottes are 30s beach pyjamas meets 40s sailor pants meets the modern A-line skirt. Deep pockets, swishy legs and perfect made up in summery linen and light denim to pinwale (baby) cord like Tatenda's version.

Bastion is now available in waist sizes up to 131.5cm (51 3/4") and hip sizes up to 159.5cm (62 3/4").

Tatenda wears a straight 28, and you can head on over to the pattern listing page to find out more about her and the Bastion Culottes pattern.

Digital Release Only

You can choose to purchase your patterns either as individual size ranges (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 you can send the A0 file to a PrintShop 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.

There will be no paper patterns available for either of these at this stage.

Purchase your JLH Curve Bastion Culottes and Gable Top here!

I'd love to hear how you're getting along making your Gable Top & Bastion Culottes and how you're finding the new Curve sizes, so why not tag me on Instagram or use the hashtags #JLHGableTop, #JLHBastionCulottes or #JLHCurve so I can see and share your makes.

xx

J

JLH Curve Bastion Culottes & Gable Top coming soon...

The new JLH Curve size range for the Bastion Culottes and the Gable Top will be here next week! Make sure you sign up to my newsletter to be the first to find out when they drop as well as get access to the Subscriber-only discount.

Sign up to the newsletter here

The Gable Top includes integrated cup sizes (C+D & E+F cups in the curve sizes, as well as A+B & C+D in the Original sizes) and the Bastion Culottes go up to waist sizes 131.5cm (51 3/4") and hip sizes 159.5cm (62 3/4").

These are the first two patterns to get the JLH Curve makeover, with many more to come, so I hope you like them! 

xx

J

It's Me Made May Sale Time!

It's the end of Me Made May, and you may have realised that you need a few more garments in your handmade wardrobe to really round it out and make the most of it. Well, how about adding a few more patterns into the mix by taking advantage of my annual Me Made May Sale?

Take 25% off all patterns (includes digital, paper & bundles) from now until midnight, Monday 31st May 2021 NZDT!

Use the code MEMADE2021 to get 25% off store-wide.

AND the JLH Curve size range for the Gable Top and the Bastion Culottes are also coming out next month - sign up to my newsletter to be the first to see them.

Lastly, nominations are closing for the British Sewing Awards on the 4th June, if you'd like to nominate me, you can do that here.

See you next month!!

xx

J

Nominate Jennifer Lauren Handmade in the British Sewing Awards 2021!

Hello Friends,

I know it's been quiet, but never fear, come June the first two re-releases in the JLH Curve patterns will be here. The Gable Top will be available in sizes 16-34 C-F cups and the Bastion Culottes will also be available in sizes 16-34 which fit waist sizes up to 131.5cm (51 3/4") and hip sizes 159.5cm (62 3/4"). If you'd to be the first to know when they land, make sure you sign up to my Newsletter here.

Today though, I'm popping in to let you know that nominations are currently open for the British Sewing Awards and if you felt compelled, I'd love you to nominate me! You can go straight to the Nominations Questionnaire here - I so appreciate all of the support and would be forever grateful for your time. Nominations close 4th June 2021, so there's still plenty of time to get them in.

Thank you again, and see soon for a little Me Made May 2021 sale...

xx

J

A Pricing Update...

Hello hello!

I haven't seen you all since the last Willa Wrap Coat Sew Along post in March! Never fear, SO MUCH has been going on in the background that will hopefully begin to fruit over the next few months, and then I think I'll finally be back on a roll. It's also the end of the financial year over here and I've been spending time teeing up last year, reflecting, resolving and getting ready to start fresh this year. 

What all of this has made me realise though, is that in order to keep up and keep providing, I'm going to have to start looking at raising my prices gradually. So, from the 1st of May, my PDF prices will be getting a little makeover, with the rest of the changes to happen towards the end of the year.

I've written a bunch of my reasoning below if you care to read, but in a nutshell, from the 1st May 2021, you will be able to purchase the JLH Original and JLH Curve size ranges separately as well as in an economical bundle option if you want both size ranges in one pattern.  

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Pricing Changes

Many of you already know that I released my Curve size range last year, and that there are currently 2 patterns available with both the Original and Curve sizes included — these are the Dulcie Pinafore and the Willa Wrap Coat.

Many of the bigger indie companies that have two size ranges, split the purchase of these, meaning you pay the same single price twice if you want both size ranges. 

When I delved into the work of creating my JLH Curve Line, I really wanted my patterns to be accessible to as many as possible, so when I released them last year, you got BOTH size ranges for same single PDF price (that has remained unchanged for many years). I still want to honour this, as accessibility and inclusitivioty was one of the big driving forces for releasing the extended range in the first place. But what the numbers have shown, is that how I have been doing it is unsustainable for the long term.

So, on May 1st, I will split the Original and Curve size ranges up so that you can purchase them separately for $12.99USD each. HOWEVER, in order to keep the costs down for those that want both size ranges in the one pattern, I will introduce a bundle option priced at $18.50USD. This way you can get both size ranges combined for much less than paying double the single pattern price.

Right now, these changes only effect the two patterns that are currently available in both ranges - Willa and Dulcie.

The Willa Wrap Coat, available in JLH Original (6-24 A to D cups) and JLH Curve (16-34 C to F cups)

My aim is to keep my current single size range PDF pattern prices as is until the latter part of this year. These haven't been changed in many years, but they will go up to $14.50USD respectively, with the bundle going up to $21USD. This is to help me to keep up with the  growing costs that have built up over the years and to keep more in line with other companies (while still keeping them at the lower end of these price-points, to keep them accessible). 

Why?

Basically, the Curve pattern is a completely separate pattern to the Original pattern. While it has the same design lines and construction, it's a whole new pattern that is based on an entirely different block.  Because of this, it's fitted on a completely different body to the Original and has separate and very specific grading rules that I spent a lot of time on getting right, right at the start of this journey. 

The current price of the pattern covers the work for the Original sizes, but it has been falling short on covering the additional costs involved for the Curve patterns.

I pay my curve fit model for her time, expertise and materials: from sending printed patterns to her multiple times to test pattern tweaks, to purchasing fabric and notions for the — sometimes multiple — samples, to FaceTiming and emailing back and forth over tester feedback and Curve Community musings.  

After this initial fitting process, we move onto the time and resources I spend marking up a whole new pattern, finalising the details of this pattern (so many little details!) and then there's sourcing models for the final sample photos and the time and money it costs for these from fitting sessions, the fabric and the materials, to the final photography/editing/sorting and all that entails. 

With the additional work, time, expertise and finance required to add the new Curve patterns, I've realised I've not been covering any of this additional work in my prices.

The construction (and therefore the instructions) of each pattern though, is largely the same for Original and Curve ranges (bar the additional time and work put in to updating sizing, finished garment measurements and fabric lay outs etc), so I still feel that you shouldn't have to pay twice to get both size ranges. Which is where the bundle option comes in.

The Dulcie Pinafore, available in JLH Original (6-24 A to D cups) and JLH Curve (16-34 C to F cups)

I feel this new pricing structure both honours the work that is put into making these patterns available as well as those that fall either in between the cross-over sizes or those that want to use the pattern to make bespoke garments for friends and family members that sit across the sizes.

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What does this mean for older patterns getting the Curve sizes make over?

I had originally wanted to give everyone who had purchased an older pattern the Curve pattern sizes update for free. That was the dream, but it's not the reality.

I will honour a cheaper rate if you are wanting to purchase the extended sizes in a pattern you have previously purchased though. So, as older patterns are given the JLH Curve make over, you'll just need to forward your receipt and I will sort you out. 

Details on this will be available as each individual pattern is made over + released.

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I hope these minor changes don't put you off too much. Raising prices is always hard, and I've tried to be as transparent and honest as I can be. 

I hope you see the value in my new prices and realise that this will help me keep working hard to produce beautiful, modern-vintage inspired patterns, in a size-inclusive range (that includes A to F cups!), for as beautiful a fit, straight out of the packet, as possible.

xx

J