Saturday, May 14, 2011

My crash and burn during KCWC

Disclaimer: I wrote this on Thursday, a day in which I spent a good amount of time at a toddler party, got seriously head-banged and got a sunburn. I might have been crabby.

I mentioned before that I had started making this Oliver + S pattern in knit for Kids Clothing Week Challenge. This was my first time working with knit. I decided to go with the dress since I had enough fabric.


I wanted to give an update on what’s been happening with this project. First off, I’ve also never worked with an Oliver + S pattern. My first tip for you - the layout diagram for cutting your pattern pieces is actually on the pattern piece rather than in the instructions. It took me longer than I want to admit to figure that out!



For the first time I used Dressmakers Tracing Paper to trace the pattern right onto my fabric without having to cut the pattern pieces. I only used this for some of the pieces since she was the largest size I wasn’t “ruining” the piece by cutting it out.  This stuff worked pretty well. You place it between the cloth and the pattern and it works like carbon paper. You do have to press SUPER hard to get a dark enough mark, but it worked and I was happy with the results.

I was also referred to this link on Sew Mama Sew for information on working with knits. It was super helpful and I encourage anyone interested in working with knits to read it. Things started off really smoothly.


I used Stitch 8 on my Bernina for sewing the pieces together. Here’s what my seams looked like on the inside.


Everything worked really well until I had to do the hemming of the dress and sleeves. I used my "Steam A Seam",  got my double stretch needle out and fixed all my settings, but I still had this problem.



I asked on flickr and was encouraged to get the wooly nylon thread.  Apparently Joann’s doesn’t carry it. I got the Bulky Nylon thread to try since it had a stretchiness to it. It’s gotten mixed reviews on the web  but I figured I would try it anyway. I got good results when I did it on my test fabric. But look what happened when I did it on my real hem.


ARGH!

I’m so done with this project. I was really proud of what I had finished. Here’s how it stands right now.

And isn’t the neckline so cute?

And I'll tell you, that fabric is as soft as can be. I was having dreams of making myself some pj pants until this.

I just need to finish the freakin’ edges! What was supposed to be a quick project has turned out to be 3 days of stress. Anyone have ideas? I'm thinking maybe just doing a single straight line rather than the double needle?

In the meantime, I’ve rethreaded my machine - need to make a big push to get my kona challenge done for Tuesday’s PMQG Meeting.

10 comments:

Bobbie said...

Are you using a BALL POINT NEEDLE?

"A ball point needle has a straighter shank and a slightly rounded end, enabling it to enter the fabric without breaking the fibers. Ball point needles have the additional advantage of discouraging skipped stitches."

Above statement is taken out of the book The Ann Person Method, published by Stretch & Sew, Inc.

Live a Colorful Life said...

As much as I hate to admit that I sewed with nothing else but "double knits" in the '70s, I have no hints to help you along. I think I have permamently erased that fabric era from my brain...

Anne - Tesla's Mom said...

Oh no! I actually bought some knit today and was hoping to see the finished product by you. It's been fun to read along. I've been planning on making this for some time, although I wasn't sure which I would make the shirt or the dress. My daughter has a lot of dresses so a shirt would be nice. If anyone gives you good hints please post about it. I haven't started making the shirt yet but I plan to soon. I'm hoping the largest size will fit for awhile, she's 2 and can wear a 4T... (with plenty of room to grow.)

Anne - Tesla's Mom said...

Oh and this reminds me to practice a bunch before sewing the actual item, having never sewn with knits. I also got caulky and decided to buy knit to make a sleeper for my son who at just 4 months is to long for his 6 month ones.

Sara @ Sew Sweetness said...

I'm sorry you had trouble at the end, and I wish I could help, but I haven't sewn with knits. :-/ It looks so wonderful and cute, and I agree the neckline is awesome!

Leila said...

Maybe just try two lines of single stitching to get the same look? I love stitch #8! How handy is that?

Anne - Tesla's Mom said...

Thanks Becky! I changed my settings! I'm looking forward to your tips. Off to cut fabric before all the little ones wake up for the day!

Linz said...

Becky! It looks great!! SO cute! Sorry about the seams! That's so frustrating!! The neckline is ADORABLE!!

Justine of SewCountryChick said...

That's so cute. I've had the same problem with the twin needle.

Denise in PA said...

Ugh, this is why I only make quilts - LOL! But, the dress IS cute!!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...