The Fit for Art team has been having trouble finding time to stitch up new clothes with all our end-of-year pattern company tasks and our grandbabies! But Rae has run away to France and brought fabric with her for three new knit tops to stitch up. Winter is a great time of year to sew knits for comfort and fun. The more knits you stitch up, the easier and quicker it will be to sew up the next set of tops. Time to get started.
Don’t Wait—Shipping Paused from February 1-16!
This post contains a few tips to help you stitch up knits with confidence, ensuring you have all the right tools. All of our paper patterns are on sale until the end of January, and our entire line of knit patterns is available in paper. Order the basic pattern and some variations and you will be all set. We even have some knit fabrics to get you started, especially if you are working your way through the Virtual Knit Class and want to make a solid mock-up. If you have not already registered, enroll in the virtual class now and receive a free basic pattern. Order this week as we will be taking a shipping pause from February 1 to 16. You can place orders after Feb. 1, but we will not ship until our winter break is completed. Of course, digital patterns will come immediately if you have an itch to stitch while our paper pattern deliveries are paused.
If you want us to hold your hand while you master the techniques of sewing knit jerseys and other knits for tops and pants, register for our Spring Sew Successfully Retreat March 20-22. It is easy to get to the Maritime Center where we hold the retreat as the retreat center provides a shuttle bus ride from the Baltimore Washington Airport and nearby train station, so train and air options will get your there from most anywhere in the US. If you are driving, the parking is convenient and free and the food and accommodations are sure to please.
Choose a Knit Style and Fabric
Now, Rae is going to tell you about her first knit top of the season. It features a surplice design from the Clever Crossing Variations pattern for the Tabula Rasa Knit Tee & Tunic, extended to tunic length to wear with leggings.
I have been wanting a fresh surplice top ever since I made my daughter Sarah one with holiday fabric in December. If I buy a ready-to-wear version of this style, it is too tight in the waist and my preference is for a loose fit. Plus, there was a winter scarf purchased on sale last year that needed a little something underneath.
Prepare For Successful Knit Sewing
In December Core Fabrics was offering a light-weight sweater knit and there was a color that seemed right, so it was ordered and landed at the house before we departed for France. Warm, soft and perfect for the scarf loving surplice. It was pre-washed in the states before we headed to France. The pattern was put in an envelope so I could get right to work.
Here are some practices I observe for successful knit sewing. The sewing table was cleaned off to allow for easy pattern placement and cutting of the fabric, after which it was lowered and the machines were set up. As I worked with the fabric, it became apparent that the fabric was really stretchy, so very careful handling was needed to keep it from getting stretched out. It is always smart with knits to keep all the fabric on the tabIe while placing and cutting the fabric, even if it’s in a pile at the end. The shoulders were also interfaced to keep the shoulder line from dropping over into the sleeve. It is also smart to make a sample to test the seam stitch and neckline finish that was planned. When assembling and finishing the edges, be sure to have all the fabric placed on the table as you see here when the band was being placed and then stitched to the front and back.
Try on and Make Adjustments before Finishing
However, the assembled top hung in a very stretchy and loose configuration when I tried it on. So I released the seams on each side of the front from the bust to the waist and adjusted the crossing front pieces for a better fit. I also adjusted the back in the same place to keep things stable and tidy while wearing the top, but left the long tunic loose through the hips. (Always trying to figure out descriptions of stretch, I returned to the product description on the Core Fabrics website and saw that they indicate 100% stretch in every direction. No wonder it needed a bit of adjustment! The more stretch the fabric has, the tighter the fit recommended.)
It is now comfortable and so pretty with my scarf. But I have not hemmed it yet. It is hanging from the dart area to let the two front layers rest before stitching in the hem. Watch our social media later in the week for a photo of me wearing it proudly.
This top will be a mainstay in my wardrobe as we move from winter to spring. I am even betting there are more scarves at home in the states to keep it busy long into spring. The world has gotten so casual, so when you need a new wardrobe boost, consider sewing knits for comfort and style. Don’t forget to stock up on paper patterns during the Anniversary sale which ends on Jan. 31 using coupon code ANNIVERSARY15 at checkout. Pick up some knit sewing basics too with jersey needles and knit interfacing to try so you can get started right away. Sign up for the virtual class or retreat if you want to up your sewing game with knits this winter.
