Jalie’s Louise for under the Sun

Going to Aruba in July meant I needed sun protection.  Hence, Jalie’s Louise for under the sun, (4453).  I’d already sewn one version of this  Multi-Sport Jersey pattern so knew it would be ideal for the trip.

The version shown above is the exact pattern, with no alterations, and I really enjoyed making it.  The exterior pockets on the back are ideal if you are a cyclist, (I’m not) or a hiker, (I am).  Deep enough for a water bottle, bug spray and phone, with the top elasticized to keep the stuff inside.  There are also 2 interior front pockets. The fabric was bought at Discovery Fabrics as part of a “Legging Pack”. It’s Chitosante Extreme.  AND, with some Tetris maneuvers, I got this jacket out of 1 meter!

Preparing for the Aruba vacation, I knew I needed sun protection.  I had been there before and suffered the worst sun-burn EVER! This time my fabric choice was (from Discovery again) Polartec Power Dry Lightweight, colour Sky Diver after reading their blog post on how to choose the best fabric for sun protection.

I made a few changes to the pattern for this version.  I wanted a bit of extra length (I’m 5 ft 10 inches tall) anyway, and my zipper was 2 1/2 inches longer than the front opening.  No brainer!!!! I added 2 1/2 inches to the body length.  I also omitted the back pockets as I knew I wouldn’t use them this time.  My serger did a great job with this fabric.  I ordered 2 meters and had enough for a tank top.  (Twin-set) 

My Louise was wonderful.  The fit is great, but even better, it’s performance was outstanding! After a 3 hour hike in desert country with very little shade, I had NO sunburn.  And I didn’t find the fabric hot to wear.  I used sunscreen on the back of my neck and the tops of my hands, and wore a wide-brimmed sunhat. Winner all around!

It was so comfortable to wear that I wore it almost every day.  It kept me cool outside and kept me protected from the air-conditioning inside. 

The tank top is my variation of Jalie’s 2565, Tank, Bandeau and Tube-top pattern.  (I used the tank pattern as the subject of a recent class, and some of my students didn’t like the racer-back so I taught them how to change the back into a regular tank.  The bands are a little wider, too.  All the top-stitching is narrow cover-stitch, as is the hem.