A Time To Learn – Sewing with Knit Fabrics
In the years I ran the DIY Lounge classroom spaces I always found that this time of year – January through early April – is the busy time for art and craft classes. This year I have decided that it’s my turn to learn some new things . . . I have been sewing since I was 7 years old and designing reconstructed, knit and crocheted clothes for 7 years now, under the label Knot Ugly Designs. For those who don’t know what reconstructed clothing is, it’s a style of clothing construction where you take an already existing garment that isn’t spectacular and reconstruct it into another garment. I mostly work with high quality natural fiber, recycled sweaters, which is a great way to keep these items out of the landfills and a way to make something weird into something lovable. Almost every thing I know about apparel design is self taught so this year I have decided that it’s time to learn some new things. I became fascinated with knit fabrics years ago, probably because that is what I like to wear (a little stretch is a good thing), but working with knit fabrics can be very tricky. I have all sorts of tricks that I have developed over the years for working with knits and now I am ready to learn all of the “official” techniques to sewing with knit fabrics. I recently purchased Sew U Home Stretch which is part of the Built by Wendy book series. I am very impressed with this book. Such clear instructions and patterns. I am not a beginning sewer so some of the techniques I already know, but it’s still good to see all of the little details laid out so clearly. I am definitely picking up some new techniques. I like it when a book can be useful to a wide range of skill levels and I would definitely say this is one of those books. I highly recommend checking this book out. More than anything this book is giving me inspiration. I feel a knit dress in my future . . .
by: Jen Neitzel