Satisfying Sews with Stretch Knits

There are so many reasons why sewing garments with stretch knit fabrics can be particularly satisfying.

➡️ Time: Knit garments are generally quicker to make, so you can often make a wearable garment in a relatively short time.

➡️ Fitting: Fitting adjustments require less precision, as some variations in required ease can be absorbed by the stretch of the fabric.

➡️ Packing: These garments travel well, as they often don't require ironing at all.

➡️ Patterns: With so many beautiful sewing patterns already available for knit fabrics, you can jump right in and make something vey quickly.

My favourite Indy pattern companies include Cashmerette, Sinclair, Itch-to-Stitch, Style Arc and Wardrobe-by-Me. And, of course, I’ve had a lot of fun with the re-released Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress pattern from Vogue, as well as with many other Big-Four patterns.

A self drafted shift dress and a DvF wrap dress from a Vogue pattern

There are, of course, a couple of things that need to be taken into consideration to ensure success with knit fabrics.

➡️ Machine settings: Sewing machines can vary greatly in how they handle knits, so you do need to establish the correct settings for your machine. Speak to your dealer if you have tried a few pieces of sample fabric and you're still having trouble.

➡️ Machine needles: Your trusty universal needle may not always work for the knit fabric you have selected. Sew some sample blocks and test different needles (knit, ballpoint, etc).

There are many helpful resources out there, including these two books that I'm currently enjoying reading:

Patternmaking with Stretch Knit Fabrics by Julie Cole, and Fit for Knits by Johanna Lundstrom and Malena Hjerpe.

Books: Patternmaking with Stretch Knit Fabrics | Fit for Knits

If you have a Sure-Fit Designs Body Blueprint, you can follow the instructions included in the kit to convert your well-fitting dress block into a stretch knit block. There are also several other fitting and sewing tutorials on the Sure-Fit Designs website.

And when it comes to sewing knit garments, one of my favourite resources is Karina Trinidad’s YouTube channel, Lifting Pins and Needles. She makes up many, many knit garments, and demonstrates her process along with useful sewing tips.

Then, if you’d like to make up a basic knit block using your own body measurements, you may like to try Alexandra Morgan’s class, The Custom Stretch Knit Bodice Block where you’ll draft and make a bespoke, long sleeved tee shirt. Alexandra also has many fitting tutorials specifically for knits on her website, In-House Patterns Studio.

I hope that these have inspired you to sew a few more knit garments. Let me know if there's anything you've found helpful.

Until next time,

Caroline

#sewingwithknits

#memadewardrobe