After just making 1 Renfrew top & learning how to sew with knits, I’m totally pumped up to beef up my wardrobe with a whole slew of comfy knit dresses, tops, and skirts.
I have a whole swirl of ideas in my head – so I figured, why not share them up here?! Get my thoughts out on ‘paper’ in a way. So below is my ‘wish list’ of sorts in what I hope to get made up in the coming months.
I’ve already started to cut out and assemble Vogue 8728. I’ve cut and sewn 1, loved it so much I went made a second already.
It feels like everyone has sewn up this little beauty & I’ve had this pattern in my stash for quite some time too. This is my twice failed knit dress. The first was going to be a wearable muslin – but that failed as I had a late night accident with the serger and the waist seam. The second, well… the fabric was a bust as it ended up looking like I was wearing a wetsuit like material and the soft drapes were like really big and puffy. Not attractive at all.
Then!!! I snagged this gorgeous fabric from EmmaOneSock to make it in (sorry, sold out).
I have a weakness for floral & stripes combined. But I hope the dress doesn’t get too busy with this loud print. If it does… then I guess I’ll just have to make a second one in a solid. win-win
So… this happened. heh
Circle Skirt:
No pattern for this per say, but I have come to realize I don’t actually own any circle skirts, only 1/2 circle skirts. This was a *duh* moment of mine.
I need to remedy this with making a knit (& woven one). I have some great classic red knit fabric, drapey cottonish feeling to me (see image above). I have like 3-4 yards of this fabric. I have no idea when I bought it or why… but I’m now glad I have so much in my stash to use.
More Renfrews:
I’d love to make up a few more Renfrew tops for the upcoming fall & winter in all versions. I even have some ‘hack’ ideas floating around in my head.
Pajamas:
I’ve had it in my head that I want to make the Colette Cinnamon camisole but as a knit version.
Of course I need some shorts to match… so I’d likely draft up some tap pants also to coordinate.
I have some pretty pale blue cotton-ish knit I just bought for this very purpose in the remnants section of my fabric store. I got two different remnants which would be enough for the top & shorts.
I’ve had this pattern in my stash for quite a while, but I haven’t made it up yet. All I can see when I look at the line drawing is a cute knit top – so that’s what it has to be. No fabric as of yet for this. So far I’m envisioning color contrast between the collar/bands vs the top.
This is a new knit top by Jennifer Lauren & it looks really cute. I’m always up for some vintage inspired clothing – especially knit ones now. :D Again, I don’t have any fabric in my stash for this one, but a girl can dream yea?
Lastly, the Nettie Top by Closet Case Files:
It’s not exactly my style, but I just can’t help loving it the more I see it. Perhaps it’s the sweet low back of it… But I also snagged some fabric that would be perfect as a Nettie (providing I have enough yardage). It just has to be done, ya know?!
Birds via EmmaOneSock again.
I couldn’t really justify the $17 a yard price on this… but then I found some as a roll end on clearance (after much stalking) and then I popped on it. I was such a happy camper when it arrived not even 2 days later! Super duper fast shipping on this one, by fluke.
Well, that’s all I have for now. Be SURE to send me your favorite knit patterns in the comments. I could use more inspiration & great pattern suggestions, especially cute knit dresses (vintage or modern).
Cheers & happy sewing.
In: Sewing
I agree with you about Nettie. I wasn’t bowled over at first (never really been one for bodysuits), but the more versions I see the more I want to make one (or several) for myself!
That fabric would be PERFECT for a Nettie! It has honestly been one of my favorite sews of all time. The pattern is fantastic!
Yay, I love sewing with knits! Good job on your Renfrew tees. I’m planning a Renfrew dress next and a couple more wrap dresses. I’ve seen that first pattern you’ve mentioned, but have never bit the bullet. Maybe I should take a closer look. I have a few more knit patterns in my stash that I’d like to try. Soooo many to tackle. :)
If you happen across any faves be sure to let me know. I’ve been avoiding knits for so long, I’ve had blinders on when it comes to knit patterns. So I really don’t know much about what’s out there.
I’ve only recently got over my fear of knits, so I’m on the hunt for patterns too! I do love Cation’s free dolman sleeve tee, though, simple and so easy to make and wear! http://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/08/free-sewing-pattern-dolman-sleeve-top.html
Thanks for sharing that pattern, Kelly. Looks like a timeless & simple top to make. I love patterns like this that could be either vintage styled or modern.
!!!NETTIE!!! I cannot wait to make one! I’ve also started looking for more knits patterns. I have a few oldies stashed away to get me started, but I would really like to find a “perfect top” pattern. Sadly, I’m not so sure Renfrew is my girl. :-/ Can’t win ’em all, right?
Totally, Michelle. There are so many patterns out there to pick from. I may have just gotten lucky with my fabric choice, but the second top will reveal that for sure.
Oh, I never heard of the Bronte top, but I really like that look! :) As for justifying higher pricing on knits, they tend to be a lot wider than cottons. ;) The dresses look lovely, wonder what they’ll look like on you!
I have printed a Lady Skater for myself (by Kitschy Coo), but haven’t taped it together yet. All I made was a dress after a top I have, too bad my size changed in between though… :( Knits are very forgiving though, so if you measure well, I found RTW clothes are actually good templates. :)
Plaintain is another shirt that’s been quite popular (and free) in blog world. And check out so sew easy, she has quite some free & a few paid patterns now, quite a few for knit as well. :)
Oh, and just thought of this pattern: http://blankslatepatterns.com/collections/women/products/wild-flower-top Haven’t bought it yet, but another one that peeked my interest. I have some tees of that style in my closet and I always feel that style is flattering for women. :)
Thanks so much Jolien!!
Cake Patterns (http://sewingcake.com) is fantastic for knits. I’ve just made a couple of pairs of Espresso leggings and they fit so well I can’t imagine ever buying leggings again.
Yes! I kinda forgot about Cake patterns. Thanks Penelope, I’ve added this to my etsy faves so I don’t forget.
Wow – you have gone full-jacket knit! BTW, isn’t that Vogue Vintage dress for wovens? (Not that it wouldn’t be great in a knit if the sizing works…) I too love the floral with stripes. That’s my FAVE combo. So that fabric is a find. And I’m considering the Bronte. I like it. Just don’t know if I need another knit top…
That fabric is for both knits and wovens. I’m not sure how they managed that… I did cut out a few sizes down from what I should have for the wovens. But the back of the pattern envelope did say some kind of knit fabric.
Yes! I love floral + stripes. It’s so wonderful. That’s my fav fabric of all time now. :D
Oh, and read my posts on the Nettie before you make it. I really suggest you change the shape of the leg openings (so that they don’t show through everything you wear on top of them – and use some picot elastic (rather than the bands the pattern provides) so that the legs disappear under pants. I’m going to make a thong version next time.
Thanks so much Kristin, but I beat you to it. heh I read your Nettie post some time ago with your 3 Nettie makes. You’re part of the reason that prompted me to also want to make one up. :D I need to see them on you and more about your fabric choices. I need to learn more about the combination of certain fabrics with the patterns for knits.
I actually think that this is one of the most fun elements about sewing with knits. It’s far less disaster-prone than choosing fabric for woven garments. But there’s still a learning curve in order to make something that drapes alright vs something that drapes beautifully. I recommend a thick(ish) fabric for the Nettie because it will cling and sort-of see-through when your navel is involved is not necessarily a good look. Something with very good recovery (so that it keeps its shape) and something with some synthetic and some natural fabric. Rayon (if you can find a thick version) is good. But a rayon or cotton viscose blend can also be good.
Thanks so much Kristin. I did worry about the fabric being too thin since yeah… don’t want to see through to my bra and such. Such great tips!
I’ve got a lot of the same patterns in my (extremely long) mental queue. I need to get my hands on Vogue 8728 – it really does look like the perfect dress. That floral stripe fabric you made it in could be one of the most perfect dresses ever – you’ll be sharing more photos, right?
Yes! I have a very strong weakness to all things stripe+floral. It’s just such a great combo. So yes… you’ll see it when it stops raining outside (not for 3 days at least). :(
I have always wanted to make Banksia in a knit! That was my original intention when I bought it, but I haven’t buckled down to try it out. Also, I absolutely love that striped floral print :) So pretty!
Yay to sewing with knits! I’ve only just recently overcome my fear of knits but now I’m in love! Two of my fave knit patterns is the Moneta dress from Colette patterns and the SB312 dress from SBCCpatterns.
Yay for easy knits! Thanks so much Naomi for those two pattern recommendations. I’ve been tempted to try out SBCC patterns, too.