Skip to main content

Reader's Pick Sew-Along: Fabric Selection

On Saturday, as I was finishing up my Mad Men Challenge dress, I was thinking about what fabrics I would like to use for the sew-along. I will most likely be choosing something from my stash because I need to use some of it up! In the afternoon, I took a break from sewing and went to Jo-Ann's to pick up a copy of New Look 6097. When I got to the pattern drawers, I almost panicked! They didn't have a divider for the pattern---they had 6096 and 6098 but not the one I needed! So I sifted through the sections and they had ONE pattern left! If you're in the Reading, PA area, you may need to have the pattern ordered in or order it online. Sorry!

Before we get started sewing together, I wanted to share some thoughts about what fabrics to choose for the dress we will be making together. Some of you may already have picked out fabric and don't need any advice, but some of you may be working with knits for the first time! Whatever your experience, I'm just glad you are participating! 

The pattern calls for stretch knits only: jersey, matte jersey, lightweight double knits, two-way stretch. It is also suitable for fabrics with plaids or stripes. If you're new to the knit world, you're probably wondering what does this mean? Jersey is a stretchy, single-knit fabric with nice drape. This could include: ITY knit, rayon jersey knit, cotton jersey knit, matte jersey knit, etc. All of these fabrics usually have a nice drape and come in a nice selection of solids and prints. 

See how the folds of the fabric are close together? The folds show us that the fabric is lightweight with a nice drape. This is an ITY knit. 
BUC7526 Lattice Border ITY Knit

This is another good example of a jersey knit, cotton/rayon/lycra. Once again you can see that the folds are close together, creating a nice drape. 
BTA1631 - Pomegranate Jersey Knit


If you want a dress with a little more substance and sturdiness, go for the lightweight double knit. Normally double knits are stiff, with less drape than a jersey. But there are some double knits that have enough drape---a little harder to find. Below is a lightweight ponte knit. Once again, look at the folds. They are not as tight as the jerseys shown above, but still close. The folds form nice drapes. 
SOA7691 Red Pepper Pique Weave Ponte Knit


So what knits should you stay away from? Heavy sweater knits, heavy ponte/double knits, rib knits, interlock knits, activewear knits and maybe even slinky knits and burnout knits. Basically any knit that does not drape nicely. These are all lovely fabrics, but we're going for drape, you don't want anything that will make your garment boxy. 

So get shopping for your favorite jersey knit! We will start sewing on April 7th. I will be creating a flickr account where you can share photos of your fabric selections and finished projects. Stay tuned to more info on that. If you have any questions comment below! I can't wait to see what you choose!

Check out Fabric Mart's selection of knits now! Use the filter on the left side of the website to narrow down your search by content, type, weight, color, etc. 


And one last thing...You get to pick which fabric I sew with! Here are your choices:

1) Beaded Print ITY Knit from Cache. This is an oldie but a goodie from my stash. I bought this from Fabric Mart way back when I started! (About five years ago.) How many of your seasoned customers have this one in your stash? This is a lightweight ITY knit with nice fluid drape. I love the vibrant blue color. The beaded  print goes with the selvedge, therefore going with your body. 


2) Retro Floral Rayon Knit from France. This retro floral print is a rayon/lycra knit from France. This was in Julie's Picks about two years ago and I think also online for a short time. I love the print as much as the colors!


3) Paint Splatter ITY Knit from Maggy London. This print was on our website about two years ago as well. A Maggy London print never fails. I love the color combination!

You have until Wednesday, March 26th to vote. You may select your favorite, but if you've never sewn with one of these fabrics before, you may want to select one you have not worked with. I will be making a muslin out of a solid cotton/lycra knit that is a little heavier than these fabrics, but still drapey. It feels more like a lightweight ponte knit. 




Comments

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: Milo + Citrine

Hello sewing friends! It’s Andrea - @happy.things.here on IG and today I’m on the blog to share some sew inspo on one of my favorite kinds of garments to make – cardigans! I absolutely love making them and wearing them year-round, whether it’s an extra layer for around my house in the winter, as my outermost layer in Spring and Fall, or paired with a dress on a cooler summer evening. I love love love cardigans! And there are so many great cardigan patterns out there – chances are that each of your favorite pattern companies offers multiple cardigan patterns. Button-less cardigans are great beginner patterns, and a handmade cardigan is a lovely personalized gift since it’s more forgiving for fit and you don’t have to know someone’s exact measurements to make one. And you can make them in all sorts of knit fabrics too.  Today I chose two cardigan patterns to share with you that I think bring a little something extra to the table. They are the Seamwork Milo and the Made by Rae Citrine.

Made By A Fabricista: Taking My Time

At the start of the new year I like to reflect on how I will go about my makes for the year.  I noticed this year a lot of people created a Make Nine chart of the 9 main looks they want to make for the year.  For me I had taken a hiatus from sewing towards the end of last year and was fighting to get my sewjo at the beginning of the year.  Making this blog forced me to sit down in front of my machine and these pieces are the first full sewing projects to kick off my year. Starting off I did not know exactly what it was I wanted to sew but I knew I loved working with denim so I got denim and sateen with the initial intent to make a full look with the pieces together.  Once I received the fabric I realized the hand was a little bit different than what I expected and changed my plans. The denim set I am absolutely in love with and was inspired by a look I saw online and decided to recreate.  My favorite details are the zip removable pockets on the pants.  For this look I used McCall’s M81

Week 4: Jeansmaking- What They Made

This is it, the final round! And we certainly did not go easy on our three remaining contestants this time. This round they had to make their own pair of well fitting jeans. I think they all did an absolutely outstanding job! Take a look what these ladies accomplished & be sure to vote for your favorite! (Link at bottom of post.) And, don't forget to show us your me-made jeans on Facebook or Instagram. Details at the bottom of this post. Danesha from  Classyfied Life So first I must say that this entire challenge has been just that...a challenge! Two weeks ago there was hurricane Irma and I was blessed enough to not lose power and then I went out into the aftermath to capture some photos of my submission. Then two weeks ago I had a big trip planned so I had to do EVERYTHING  in two days . Then the BIGGEST challenge of all...THIS week! I got the challenge and I was super excited to have an extra few days and then before I could even get started I ended up in the eme