Here's the deal:when it comes to wovens I have good theory and sound practice. When it comes to knits I have a little theory and virtually no practice. When I sew a knit, I remember what it is like to be a floundering beginner. I am even a little nervous, certainly hesitant and with wavering confidence.
I started with the Kwik Sew pattern so beautifully made up by EmilyKate. I had no idea what to do about size, so I started with a large and pinned it in fabric. Far too tight across the bust, too loose across the back. Did a FBA on the front, removed the excess through waist and hip. Shoulder and upper body still too large - the scoop neck will not sit flat, there is not enough tension in the sizing to force it to hold its shape. Now I know, I need to start with a medium and grade up, not start with a large and grade down.
I love the colour and the stripe is not so pronounced in its contrast as to create too unforgiving a vertical line. TMB says it looks nice, and about such matters he does not lie, subjected as he is to forced appraisals about every single thing I sew. He has learned over the years that a frank opinion is what is required: he gets hounded far more with "are you sure it looks nice" if he says it all looks nice, but the occasional "it's not your best look" buys him a little respite.
Cost: Fabric - cotton/lycra Global fabrics 40% off VIP price $12, Kwik sew pattern $18, thread $1 = $31.
I think your new top looks great! Knits really are another animal, aren't they? I find that the less I know about knits formally and the more I just mess around with them, the faster my confidence grows.
ReplyDeleteSimon would sympathise with TMB, as he is often grilled for his honest, NO, HONEST, opinion. About the last thing I sewed, which was not a success, he said "none of your other tops look like THAT". It said it all.
ReplyDeleteYour new top looks very nice, I must say.
It looks like a great TNT shirt. I was just looking at the Kwik Sew book--cute dresses for Spring/Summer!
ReplyDeleteI thought I had the hang of sewing with knits but have wadded the last two items!
ReplyDeleteI like the stripe in that top - I bet you will wear it a lot.
Hi there - I think the top looks great. WHen I blew up the photo to get a good look at the picture you look very young and slim.
ReplyDeleteI like your t shirt. I am a knit nervous novice, despite having more expensive equipment with which to sew knits than any sane person should need.
ReplyDeleteI taught myself to sew with knits and was nervous when I first sewed wovens, lol. I figure I'm probably going to have wadders either way.
ReplyDeleteYour new top looks very nice and well worth the bother fitting it.
I'm the opposite. Knits are easy, wovens woeful. My suggestion is not to bother with full bust adjustments as the stretch in the fabric usually covers it (literally in this case).
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I actually went down to Bernina the other day to buy this pattern but you must have just got there before me (they only carry one copy, I think). I love the neckline shape - if I hadn't seen this pattern made up at a couple of blogs I never would have bought it based on the ugly KS drawing though ;-)
ReplyDeleteI reckon it'll be a great TNT Tshirt pattern.
J
After sewing knits, I'm always relieved to go back to wovens. I just wish I could buy t-shirts to fit. That whole appraisal process is a tough one...I'm sure Peter wishes I had somebody else to ask. Your shirt looks good and once you have a tnt pattern you'll be able to whip up a bundle in a weekend and be done with knits for the rest of the year!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Knits just take practice till you learn how to wrangle them. That neckband seemed too long when I made my tee too, have had to kind of experiment with each new fabric I make it from cos the degree of stretch is different with each. I really like your fabric.
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