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| Photo credit - Kevin Frest |
If you're a sewing enthusiast who's admired the beauty and texture of sweater knit fabrics but didn't quite know how to work with them, then my upcoming video workshop is for you. In this course you'll learn the foundation techniques for working with this stretchy and sometimes challenging fabric. Garment industry methods are translated and reworked for your home sewing environment. Step by step you'll learn the ins and outs of working with sweater knits, while you complete a beautiful pullover sweater to wear and enjoy. Please join the workshop email list to be informed when registration for this online workshop begins again.
Sewing a sweater blog posts and tutorials
If you're looking for my index (of sorts) of blog posts on sweaters and tutorials I've posted, you're in the right place. Here they are!- Preparing the Fabric Before the Cut
- Working with Paper Patterns and Sweater Knit Fabrics
- Cutting Before Sewing
- Cutting Before Sewing - Part 2
- Making (Seam) Allowances
- Stabilizing a Sweater Knit Fabric
- Steps for Sewing a Sweater -- Some of the steps were expanded upon or modified in the posts listed below.
- Stabilizing Shoulder Seams
- A Stretchy Hong Kong Finish
- Determining the Length and Width of Rib Bands
- Sewing a Rib Band to a Cut and Sew Sweater
- Further Notes on the Providence Sweater
- Another Finished Edge for Knits - Binding
- The Shawl Collar Cardi Series
- Shawl Cardi - Choosing the Fabric - Part 1
- Shawl Cardi - Before Cutting the Fabric - Part 2
- Shawl Cardi - Tracing, Tracing, Tracing - Part 3
- Shawl Cardi - Steaming and Seaming - Part 4
- Shawl Cardi - Side Seams and Bulk - Part 5
- Shawl Cardi - Attaching the Front Band - Part 6
- Shawl Cardi - Finishing - Part 7
Other helpful links (off site)
- How to Sew Sweater Knits -- From Seamwork Magazine
- Warm Up to Sweater Knits -- Some standard and some unusual techniques for working with sweater knits, written by Kathryn Brenne
- Lightweight and Stretchy Sweater Knits -- One of the Sewing Guides by the late Shannon Gifford from the Emma OneSock site
- Finishing Techniques for Knit Fabrics -- Written by Miriam Tribe for lighter weight knits, some methods may be useful on a sweater knit fabric
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Last update 3July2019
So glad I found this blog! I'm ready to cut n sew!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Kathryn! Sorry, I thought I'd replied a while ago. Perhaps it never posted or got deleted. :-/ I hope your cutting and sewing are going well! Feel free to ask if you ever have questions. I hope the blog's been helpful!
DeleteHi, I'm a machine knitter also but the only place that I do cut and sew is for the necklines. Good luck with your blog - Jan in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jan. Necklines used to be the only place I did cut and sew, too. But not anymore! I've changed my method a little since this was first posted. I'm really enjoying making sweaters this way. :)
DeleteWow, great blog! Here I have created some wild fabric using the wrong punchcard for my 2-yarn lace which is falling out bc the stitches have no place to hold on. I was thinking of running a serger over them bc it looks so incredible.....I'd like to make a summer top from it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Claw, and thank you for stopping by! Using a serger to hold the stitches sounds like a great idea if it will work along the edge. If you also want to hold stitches in the middle of the top, you might be able to use a fancy stretch stitch on a sewing machine. Isn't it great when something wonderful results from a "mistake"! :-)
DeleteI got so excited finding all this sweater knit information in one spot. Thanks for consolidating all the great info you have on your blog in one place. Also, a big "Thank You" for sponsoring "The Sweater Knit Contest" on Pattern Review. The wealth of info on this blog was a key to my success in working with a delicate sweater knit I was afraid to use.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Judy. I'm so glad you found the posts helpful and that you were successful with your delicate sweater knit fabric. No more fear! ;)
DeleteI am reading all your tips in preparing for sewing the luscious pebbled denim sweater knit I just bought (at Joanns of all places!), and am so happy I found your blog. And hey! When does all this great advice get put into a book?
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for so generously sharing your knowledge,
Giuditta
I'm so happy my blog posts will help you with your denim sweater, Giuditta! Always feel free to ask questions in the comments if you need further explanation. Please join the email list (if you haven't already) and you'll be one of the first to know if a book ever comes out. :)
DeleteI just found your fabulous blog. I have been looking for info on sweater knits as I bought a bunch of St John Knits outfits at a garage sale. They are outdated looks but I thought, why not just cut them up for other garments. Finding your blog is a godsend, as I have too afraid to cut up the St John knits until I know what and how to do it. Any tips or blog posts you would suggest would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Anne, and thanks for the kind words. Lucky you! I'm sure those St. John knits must have wonderful fabric. How fantastic that you get to give them new life.
DeleteHere are Five Tips for Smooth Sewing of Sweater Knits that you may find helpful. If you're using a serger and the fabric is very stretchy, be sure to turn the differential feed up to at least 1.75. There's a search field at the top of the right column (desktop/laptop view). Feel free to search past posts on your particular topic and ask a question in the comments.
Also please join the email list, if you haven't already. Tips and special downloads are often included with my newsletter.
I'm very excited to have discovered your blog and your business. Bulky knit sweaters seem to have gone out of fashion everywhere except my house. I found one at Goodwill that I wear ALL THE TIME in the winter. Now maybe I can make myself some (if I dare!)
ReplyDeleteHi Martha! I love the bulky knits too! There are tips all over the blog, when you're ready to venture into cutting and sewing your own. Also, I'll be presenting video lessons in the near future. :)
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