Sewing a Slouchy Crop – the Designer Stitch JoJo Pattern

Do you ever see a style and wonder if you can pull it off? I have to admit that I really did not think the slouchy box top suited me at all. However, I had the opportunity to test out the JoJo by Designer Stitch this past January, and I think I have come around to this style. Today’s blogpost will be fun.

I used a thinner (almost burnout type) jersey from Knitpop. I thought it would be fun to match all these stripes….. Haha! Well, I don’t think it was fun, but it was certainly worth it.

This top has no armscye seam, which is different from everything I have made. My initial go at the pattern proved that I could touch my elbow to my stomach because of how roomy the armpit area is. I pinned out some of the side seam and scooped it out some, but I couldn’t really fully do that without changing the pattern all together. In testing, I pull out my Type A hat and try to sew the pattern as closely to it is drafted as possible (except for necessary size grading and height adjustments) because otherwise, I feel like a liar when I show photos on my blog. Haha! Outside of testing, I play a lot more with patterns and make sure to show you any changes I made.

I made the box length and did the wide turtleneck. Since my fabric is floppy, my turtleneck does not quite stand up, but if you used a chunky sweatshirt type fabric, you could get an awesome wide turtleneck.

So, I have worn my finished JoJo several times since making it last month. It definitely shows my stomach (like a lot) when I lift my arms so I have learned the grocery store is not an appropriate place to wear it. I got WAY too many looks from the opposite sex when I reached for anything. I am short, so lots of arm lifting is necessary when I shop. My husband on the other hand, absolutely adores this top. He says it is one of the nicer things I have made.

I made the long sleeve length. The final version of the pattern has sleeve cuffs included, which I HIGHLY recommend you using. The sleeve is just way too open at the ending and moves all over the place. I end up grabbing it, getting it wet, pushing it up, and just noticing it all day long. Now that the final version is released of the pattern, I plan to print the cuff and add it so that I can enjoy this top more.

Will I sew it again? Surprisingly yes. I want to use a thick cozy sweatshirt type of fabric without drape to see how it changes the wide turtelenck. I am sure that won’t be until this coming fall, though, because I already have major excitement for Spring. I also may want to make the dress version because I love dresses.

I think I am very happy with how this JoJo turned out. If you choose to use a non-striped fabric, this may be the quickest long sleeve top you can make!

Resources

• The Designer Stitch JoJo pattern can be found HERE.
• The fabric I used is from Knitpop.

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