** See these lists really work!! I have finished quite a few of my “to do” list items so today will begin the birage of finished objects. Enjoy!!
So I know I have mentioned it before, but I am taking a knit fabric class. I was always afraid of using knit fabrics because of the slinky, slippery, STTTREEETCHY, hard to cut accurately, nature of the fabric. It just seemed too unwieldy for my uber-anal nature. I just knew there was a better way to cut these things and that I must be doing something wrong for this fabric to be so squirmy. I entered into this class with the idea that I would find THE method for working with knit fabrics and surprisingly I did.
The secret? There IS no secret, knits are stretchy stupid…put on your big girl panties and cut, cut, cut. And so I did…
Pattern: Simplicity 8809 (OOP, 1999), View B
Pattern Description: vintage pattern for misses pullover knit tops with sleeve and neckline variations. I did version B which has three-quarter length dolman sleeves and a boat neckline.
Pattern Sizing: Size 12, 14, 16, 18. I made a size 18
Fabric Used: Random Knit Fabric from M&L
Notions Used:Little bit of Staytape at the top of the sleeve
Pattern Alterations: This was a very boxy design so I nipped in the sides at the waist a little
The Good:
- My first knit fabric top!!! Yay!! I don’t know why I was so afraid of using knit fabric but it took me taking a class to finally delve in. Now I am addicted.
- It is only two pieces. Gotta love that!
- I like the boatneck. Since my collarbone is one of my prettiest feature I like to accentuate it when I can.
The Bad:
- It is find of a boxy design and my body does not wear boxy designs very well so I knipped in the waist to give myself at least a little definition.
The Ugly:
- I got nothin’. I mean…come on…it is only two pieces people! How bad could it get?!
Peacock Chic 
Girl YAY FOR YOU!! I am SO addicted to knits its a SHAME! LOL
Congrats on the first knit! I learnt to sew knits back in the ’80’s when everything was huge. Cutting knits is very forgiving – close enough is good enough 🙂
Congradulations! It just gets better.
Congrats! Cute top! I never knew I was suppose to be afraid of knits. I just grabbed some and starting cutting! LOL
I read a tip, can’t remember where, for cutting out stretch fabrics, and upon using it I actually discovered that it did help! Use paper. Lay the fabric out on paper, newspaper or pattern paper or whatever and cut out both together. It is a tad wasteful I guess, but when cutting out something larger like a dress, it made it considerably easier … and while knits are forgiving I found it improved the sewing together and look of things enough to be bothered in my opinion for what that’s worth … smiles.
it looks just as good as store bought so you did great!
Looking good!
Great top. Looks really comfy, and you look uber-cool in it.
I like that pattern, I think I’ll have to look into it…
There is a trick – it’s called a serger. Don’t believe people who tell you knit stuff on a regular machine is just as good :-(. For one, it’s hugely faster on a serger while stretch stitches on a regular machine are a lot slower. But don’t rush out and spend a lot of money yet, if you get hooked on knits just know there’s something out there you must try :-).