Sewing With Knits - zilredloh

A couple weekends ago, Tres Bien Michelle & I got together with Professor Meg the Grand to get over our fear of sewing with knits.

My sewing & knitting fears are dwindling fast peeps!

My scaredy-cat list:

~~Colorwork~~
~~Sock Knitting~~
~~Sewing with Knits~~
Using Power Tools – primarily saws & blades of any sort

All that’s now left on my immediate list is using power tools. heh Not too shabby & I’ve knocked them all out this summer to boot. I’m feeling pumped! :D (Not quite pumped enough for power tools… but soon).

Meg and I trucked it out to Michelle’s house in the burbs for our sewing class. Michelle has such a lovely sewing space, it was large enough for all of us to cut out and sew our respective Renfrew tops without toppling over each other. I brought my sewing machine & Meg borrowed one from Michelle.

I can now add that the Renfrew is a perfect pattern for a beginner & fits great out of the package for pears.

The only alterations I made was to remove some length from the waist & grade from an 8 to a 10 at the hips.

So truth time…

I’ve actually sewn with knits twice (for the same dress) last summer. Both dresses were a fail for various reasons & I felt I was always missing something. I also attempted to sew up a Renfrew last spring, but the knit fabric was being such pain – I left the project with tears and haven’t attempted it since. Hence my fear of knits.

For me, I wasn’t as worried about sewing the actual garment as much as I was cutting it out. You see… I’m really, really detail oriented and know “the rules” of wovens. Knits are more loosey-goosey when it comes to ‘cutting on grain’ and it just feels wrong.

I bombarded Meg with so many questions and mini freak-outs over cutting the bodice on the fold & on-grain, I think she wanted to run away and hide in a closet. She stuck with me though while I calmed down and cut out my bodice. I just had to let go and assume it was going to work out – and it did!

Michelle, I believe was more nervous about the actual sewing of knits. I can’t speak for her, but from what I could tell – she did great & was confident by the end of the Renfrew class session. Her floral knit top is so pretty.

I decided to use a thicker, cotton knit in navy – as this is the fabric that was making me cry last year. The selvage was all wavy and funky that I just couldn’t find the grainline to cut & had no idea how to even begin. But with Meg’s guidance – it was a no brainer (when I finally told my brain to calm down & go with the flow).

Alterations for next time (Yes, there will be a next time!!):

My top is pulling a bit around the neckline/ladies. I’ll probably size up for just the front bodice piece as I’m too petite for a fba.

So I happened to try it on again the other day… I can pull the top down and it fits great with the ladies. So I may add a bit of length to the shoulders instead, in the bodice front (only), like 1/2″ at most.

My top is a bit longer than I’d like, despite my waist shortening by 1″. I didn’t realize the bands add so much length – so I’ll alter that for next time also.

My sleeve bands & hip bands are a bit too tight, despite cutting 1 size larger for them in the first place. I’ll just add some width to them for more ease.