I have a question about knits. I have to sew a knit top for a test. Little knit experience, and its been a long time ago at that! If the pattern states “sized for stretch knits only” can you use a single knit? (Stretches only one way?) The fabric I have is a knit, but I couldn’t tell you what kind. It is thin, almost sheer, and stretches only one way.
It does meet the stretch requirement on the envelope, but only one way. Do you think it would work. This is a top taht would pull over and I am thinking that as long as the width stretches the length wouldn’t have to. Maybe I’m crazy, and need a lesson in sewing knits. Let me know.
Thanks for your time.
Replies
It sounds like you are fine. If your pattern needed it have stretch in both directions, it would state that. You have the stretch going in the right direction (around), you don't really want it to go up/down, because it might grow in length.
The only things I can think of that need stretch in both directions are bathing suits or things that need to fit like a bathing suit (exercise wear, some lingerie, skiwear). But it doesn't sound like you need to worry about negative ease with this top.
And go find a ball-point needle for your sewing maching, it will make things so much easier when you sew on this thin flimsy knit.
Awesome! Thanks so much for the complete and quick response. I feel better. Now I need to get a needle for knits and start sewing!
Makes sense that it shouldn't stretch lengthwise or it WOULD stretch lengthwise!
Thanks again!
Thanks for your support and assurance. I finished the top. It worked pretty good and it was judged yesterday by a group for a (completely volunteer) job that I applied for. It was not hard and at $3.00 a yard a pretty top. I think I'll go back and get some to make a full skirt to go with it.
Thanks again.
You're very welcome.
Yeah! I did the top, it evidently looked ok, it passed the inspection and I passed the interview and process to get the job. It's all free, completely voluntary on my part, but I really want to do it and it is a good program to be involved in. It will help with my sewing skills and make me take the time I don't think I have for sewing. I will work partly teaching people to sew and I do that on a one on one basis now and have for years. Now I can be part of a great organization with good people and projects to help me, and to help me help others.
It wasn't so bad, (making the top) and I am anxious to find some more knits to work with, (although pretty knits are very pretty, but few and far between the rediculous prints that are among them!
Thanks for your help, it really got me going assuring me that all is well with the fabric and additional pointers.
This is a good thing, that you are teaching more people how to sew. I keep hearing that its a dying art, that nobody sews, but I see and hear evidence to the contrary. I think people want to sew, but they are overwhelmed by the information, or the process causes them to hang up or they end up with a few wadders and don't know how to fix them, or just a combination of things. I am hoping that sewing will make the resurgance that knitting has in the last few years, from underground grandma-craft to something that the 20-somethings think is cool. What sewing needs is the equivalent of the fuzzy scarf!
So, I am glad to help!
right. If you can make koolaid purses a popular thing, then you should be able to sew something real and really be satisfied! There's some completely awesome things that you can do with a sewing machine and I think you're right. The whole thing overwhelms people when they see the amazing artistic and complicated things, but our mothers and grandmothers were really doing some sewing if they knew nothing but how to sew a simple dress or apron. I think that everyone should learn to do SOMETHING even if its simple.
I hope to see the excitment of kids learning to sew, and am sure that I will get that opportunity with this job.
We'll keep it going and getting better all the time. What a great opportunity! And it's something so very important. Hopefully we will relay that to people we know.
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