I actually made this back in February. In early March I was finally starting to feel well enough to work on taking photos, and then I got covid (along with my husband, parents, and one of my brothers). Somehow all of us avoided it for three years, only to get it this spring!
Background
Jalie 2919 is a basically one of those tunic length “waterfall” style cardigans. The pleats help keep the volume at the top in control, with the fabric starting to let out at the waist. The sleeves are cut very long to allow for scrunching. Plan on shortening them if you want them to just be normal full length sleeves.
Jalie had this listed in their maternity/baby category. I think this is a great top for pregnancy because it helps hide everything in the first trimester, still fits once you start getting a bump, and then will continue to fit postpartum.
Materials
For this cardigan you’re going to want to use a lighter weight knit with lots of drape and 4-way stretch. Rayon/lycra or modal/lycra jersey is perfect. A thinner cotton/lycra jersey would also work.
My first cardigan was made from a rayon/lycra jersey from Gorgeous Fabrics, purchased recently during Ann’s big anniversary sale. It is super soft and stretchy, and I love cuddling up in it! I meant to take photos of it today, but completely forgot about it until after I had already taken down my reflector, camera, etc. Oops!
My second cardigan, which is in the photos, was also a Gorgeous Fabrics rayon/lycra jersey. Another super soft knit with wonderful drape. The colors are so beautifully muted and perfect for springtime.
Fit
I made a size V, which corresponds to a 37″ bust (my measurement at the time).
- Tapered out to a size Z for the hip
- Lengthened between bust and waist 3/4″
- 3/8″ forward shoulder alteration
- 3/8″ sloped shoulder alteration
- I lengthened the sleeves 3/4″ before realizing that they were already drafted to be really long (and with my brain fog I failed to notice this on the pattern model). I ended up shortening them at the hem 2″ – and that is after removing the 3/4″ length I added.
Notes
Jalie has you stitch the pleats from the inside then just baste them in place at the neckline. Instead of stitching I basted the pleats from the inside, then topstitched them in place from shoulder to waist (about where they end). I think it looks a bit more finished and does a better job keeping them in place during washing.
Clothing Engineer 
I love this pattern; I’ve probably made it at least half a dozen times. After the first time, I did fish-tailed back, which I think adds a little more movement and covers more, um, territory, lol. I misread the directions the first time and made the pleats on the inside…didn’t realize my error until about the 4th iteration. Then I made it the correct way and decided I didn’t like them flapping about and made them on the inside on purpose after that. Topstitiching them down is a brilliant idea…I think I will try that. I also made little tabs and used to scrunch the sleeves…attached to the inside, pulled around and faux buttoned down. I think I’ve done that on all but the first one.
I have never made one out of a printed fabric; always solids. I need to make a print one, lol.
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Those are great ideas! This is such a versatile pattern for a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. I gained a lot of weight not long after I got pregnant, especially in my butt/thighs (and we are talking inches, not just numbers on the scale) so having something covering me back there was very welcome haha. I think for my first cardigan I was confused about the instructions and put the pleats on the inside as well, because it just didn’t make sense to me to have them flopping around on the outside.
Using prints was my way of trying to distract from my body when I was still trying to keep my pregnancy hidden 😉
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Jalie patterns are always a winner. This looks so comfy and easy to wear.
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Happy to see you’re feeling well enough to get back to sewing. I was concerned we’d have a naked pregnant lady running around 😀. Love sewing your makes. Sometime would you show how to properly block. My attempts are sad to say the least.
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Trust me, it has been a constant source of concern for me! Some days I just want to give up and go around in muumuus. It is really hard to buy any maternity clothes now, I’ve spoken to several women lately who have had a pregnancy since covid started and all of them have said there’s hardly any stores where you can try stuff on anymore. Sewing has been challenging too because I don’t seem to fit the “just use the size you were before pregnancy” rule but I do my best and stick almost exclusively to stretchy knits to make things even more forgiving. Honestly, a lot of what I do is guesswork along with trial and error. I think the best thing to do is get a bunch of cheap fabric and just resign yourself to sewing up several sizes and seeing which one provides the best fit, then tweaking from there. Comparing pattern measurements and shapes to RTW that fits reasonably well can also be a great shortcut.
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Is the precious one here yet? If so I hope you can get some rest between diapers and feedings😀
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This looks so chic and comfortable on you! So good to see that you’re doing well and still so stylish. congratulations on so many wonderful things in your life! Its funny how we come back to sewing when we really need a specific thing our way and the rest of the clothing industry just isn’t good enough. I thought about you yesterday (as I lay out Marfy 2733 on some fabric) I missed your details and sewing journeys and its so good to find you.
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Tell me about it – tall + pregnant makes shopping RTW much more challenging! Looking around the ob/gyn office it seems like most pregnant women live in leggings and I’m not a huge fan of those. I’ve felt uncomfortable more often than not during my pregnancy and having custom maternity clothes has made a big difference.
Good luck with the Marfy dress – that’s one of my favorites!
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wow, So great to see all your good news ! Hope things are going well & would love an update. Miss your detailed reviews.
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I really love this cardigan and your tip re the pleats. I think I have this pattern but have not yet made it up. Seeing you in it is an incentive to actually try it. It’s lovely to see you blogging a bit. Over the years I’ve read and consulted your blog for techniques numerous times. Congrats on the pregnancy news! Abbey
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Hope all is going well for you and your family.
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