Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: Sewing with Mesh Knits


I'm going to interject into the Fashion Challenge with a tutorial on mesh knits!

Over the weekend, I was working on an inspiration piece for our Julie's Picks customers. I used a mesh print and jersey knit that will be included in the November Julie's Picks. (Sorry, these fabrics are only available to JP member's, but we have plenty of others available on our website.) Some people may be intimidated by mesh knits, but have no fear! I did some research on how to sew with them first and was prepared from the beginning. They are easier to work with than you think. Think of them as a lightweight or sheer knit.

Here are a few tips I researched, then used in my project:

1) Sew slowly and with a new needle. It is always good to start a project with a new needle, but I felt like if I had a dull needle it would pucker the fabric. Because I was sewing a mesh to a knit, it was even better. The knit and mesh stick together and allow for easy sewing. There were only two places I was sewing only with mesh: the hem of the mesh knit bodice and the sleeve hem. I stretched the mesh slightly and also used a stay tape, which helps keep it in place through wear.

2) Use stay tape if only sewing mesh. The stay tape helps keep it in place through wear.

3) Pre-wash your mesh. It is recommended to hand wash mesh knits because of pulls and puckering. I will machine wash my shirt, but probably by itself or in a lingerie bag on gentle cycle. Do not put it in the dryer, you don't want to risk it melting! Lay flat to dry.


I used Angela Wolf's Ruched T pattern. We carry this pattern on our website, but it is sold out right now. We have it on order and hope to receive it in the next couple of weeks! This pattern is really easy and fits great! I don't like fussing with patterns and you don't have to with this one. I made this pattern before so knew what to expect. It comes with three different sleeve variations and five different collars. I selected the regular collar and decided to do long sleeves without ruching. I also did not do ruching on the side seams.

Here you can see the bodice hem. I pre-hemmed the mesh knit, and pressed a line in the knit so I knew where the mesh knit hem needed to end. Then sew right sides together as usual. 
Since I made the pattern before, I had made note that the bodice needed to be cut about 3-4 inches shorter for a non-ruched top. I cut the jersey knit out first, then the mesh knit. I decided to hem the mesh and knit separately. When laying the mesh and knit together, I pre-hemmed the mesh. Then aligned the mesh piece on the knit. The pattern directions tell you to press a hem on your fabric before sewing the side seams, so I did that. That also helped me determine where the bottom of the hem on the mesh knit needed to be because I didn't want the mesh to go past the knit.


After I had the bodices sewn at the shoulder and the hem in the mesh print, I attached the sleeves. The directions call for you to do this, rather than on some patterns they want you to sewing the side seams first. (I really don't like doing them that way, so I was thankful for this direction in the pattern!) I laid the mesh knit only sleeve on the right side of the bodice pieces and sewed them together. Then I sewed the side seams together. I had to bring the sleeve in a little bit. I think it is the nature of the mesh knit --- a normal sleeve is a little looser, and I wanted the mesh to be a bit more snug, but not tight.


When sewing the sleeve together, I used stay tape to keep it stable. I also used it in the hem of the bodice and sleeves.  
I made the standard collar out of solid knit for a very RTW look. I also top-stitched just under the collar on the mesh. I love the way it turned out! I especially like it because it was quick, easy and fit without hardly any changes. I fooled a lot of people--they asked me where I bought my shirt!




Don't be afraid of the mesh knits. They are harmless. Plus if you add a regular knit fabric to them, it becomes even easier!

Comments

  1. Thanks for the tutorial. I loved the mesh knit samples I received with the Julie's picks; but did not know how to sew them. This tutorial was very helpful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a mesh knit that I bought last year from you and have been trying to decide what to do with it! I love the layered Tshirt look and may do that!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is great. I just bought some mesh knit and can't wait to use it. Thanks for the tips.

    ReplyDelete
  4. So you basically made two bodies and sewed them together by binding the neckline? And the sleeves were the mesh only attached to both the mesh and lining layers? Great top!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Is the stay tape a mesh type or do you carry this tape

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This particular stay tape does have a mesh-look to it, but you can use any stay tape. Unforntunately I do not have any stay tape available at this time. Good luck!

      Delete
  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Celebrating warm weather with Spring sewing!

Hi sewing friends! I don’t know about you but boy, was winter cold and dreary this year! The weather here in the Philadelphia area has been slowly improving, but Spring sure did take her sweet old time to arrive. So by April, I was definitely in the headspace of needing to sew up things that were either bright and cheery or meant for the warmer weather I am very much craving right now. I recently purchased a few SewBexx Patterns so I took them on a test run to create some Spring makes. First on my list was to make a top using this absolutely gorgeous ITY fabric I picked up last year. I had two yards which was enough for a long sleeve shirt. I chose the Olivia top, which is oversized with a drop shoulder, has multiple lengths and a split hem. I think the pattern is intended for heavier fabrics but I was envisioning how lovely this top would look with the drape of ITY knit fabric, and it did not disappoint. It came together for me quickly and was a straight forward sew…and I love the br...

Made By A Fabricista | Chasing Time: My White Rabbit-Inspired Look for Atlanta Frocktails

For this year’s Atlanta Frocktails, I found myself captivated by a character who’s been quietly tugging at my imagination for years—the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. There’s something so relatable about his frantic energy, always checking the time, always running late. While he’s worried about being on time, I’m usually calculating how late I can be and still technically arrive on time. Spoiler: I’m often wrong. It’s a cycle of procrastination and anxiety that I know all too well. So when I imagined my look for Frocktails, I thought—why not honor the White Rabbit? After all, time has been chasing me too. But this look isn’t just about Wonderland whimsy. It’s also deeply inspired by this year’s Met Gala theme, Tailored for You, which includes a focus on Black Dandyism—a celebration of Black elegance, intellect, and expressive style. I’ve been obsessed with this theme since it was announced. As a Black creative, I find it powerful and moving to see style used as a way to reclaim...

Made By A Fabricista: Getting into the Spirit of Summer

I'm not gonna lie y'all, I had a completely different project I wanted to do, but that's gonna take more time, and I wanted something cute, comfy and fun to wear for my birthday on the 19th. When I saw this goldenrod & off white linen jacquard , I thought it looked a bit like the design on a Koroks body, especially Makar from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker! I started with the bodice from the free Elderberry dress pattern from Mood, but deviated for the skirt, it felt a little plain of a design, and I had scraps of a Korok fabric that I knew would be a nice accent with some cut out pockets. I've made these pockets once before, deciding the cut out was based on aligning with the seam on the bodice for how far in, and as for how low depended on where I wanted the pouch of the pocket to start. From there I cut the visible part of the pocket, making sure to match the curve of the waist and following the line of the side seams of the skirt, as well as cutting a facing to...