5-2-06
Hi creative sewers,
I am sure many of you have admired the very open weave, much like crochet, light cardigans that are so popular nowadays. I like them, too, but their prices seems a bit high. So I bought some black fabric that looks very much like a length of crocheted material. Now, I am trying to figure out the best way to use a simple cardigan pattern, and face the neck, edges of the cardigan and hem. I have mentally debated about using silk organza as an underlining, or Petersham ribbon to face the neck, vertical edges and hem, or 1/4″ twill tape to reinforce the shoulder, neck and vertical edges of the cardigan.
I am looking for any suggestions, Threads articles, books, or other resources. Has anyone done a garment like this?
Thanks much.
Susan Marie
Replies
Hi!
The fabric you describe sounds like a raschel knit. Sandra Betzina has some info in "Fabric Savvy", and there's also some in Connie Long's book on sewing with knits. Both books are by Taunton. Hope this helps.
5-3-06
Hi Katina,
Thank you for your suggestions. I will get the books from the library this weekend.Susan Marie
You're very welcome. Let us know how you get on.
Katina
l have made several V- necked. cardigans, using a kwik sew pattern and the lacy knits. l put a dart in it, like Marcy tilton's article on twin sets in threads 108, and then put some support in the shoulder. For the neckline and front, l've turned a single hem to the right side and stuck(with fusing tape) or stitched it down, and then put velvet ribbon or embroidered lace (there are lots of them available here, all from india) at the edge, so that they cover the trimmed raw edge, and provide decoration. l make liberal use of iron on fusing to put the trim on, and this helps stabilize the edge.
Watch out for;-
- keep the trim narrow, or you may have problems matching trim to fabric as you go round curves and corners.
- make sure the back neck edge doesn't stretch out of shape
- check the 2 front sides are the same length
(ask me how l know!)
Also, reduce the foot pressure when you sew, particuarly for the with the stretch stitching.
In the late fifties there was a popular dressy style for women that consisted of a silk fitted sheath dress with short sleeves and a color-matched crochet-look lace or net-based lace. The jackets were lined with silk organza (kind of soft) the front edges were faced and fronted with grosgrain ribbon (or maybe it was petersham) and there were buttons down the front. The glory of these garments was that every item, lace, buttons, lining, ribbon had been dyed to exactly match, as if in the same bucket of dye. The one I lusted for was medium blue/grey. Alas, my mother deemed them "too matronly" for me. Perhaps I should make one now. Galey
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