tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post2340541480721594762..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Guest Post: Draping a Knit Cowl Dress, Part TwoGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-36718960461551805272011-10-08T11:00:17.940-04:002011-10-08T11:00:17.940-04:00Susan it is possible! If can learn, any one can. I...Susan it is possible! If can learn, any one can. In all seriousness I was banned from using the sewing machines in home ec in the 7th grade for breaking a few (on accident). I stapled my little apron project together, and didn't touch another one until I hit college. Just have patience, and I look at any mistake I make as a learning experience, because there is always more fabric.Alyson Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165924077927247799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-80205285814141910142011-10-07T19:47:35.965-04:002011-10-07T19:47:35.965-04:00Thank you for the lesson. You have an easy way of ...Thank you for the lesson. You have an easy way of teaching that makes it seem possible for me, the novice. I look forward to reading more.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08921210435250354835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-68874170021549008352011-10-06T11:33:25.025-04:002011-10-06T11:33:25.025-04:00Thank you Alyson for the further details. You hav...Thank you Alyson for the further details. You have a good point concerning the pre washing method. That is probably were I went wrong & distorted the fabric.<br /><br />I was remembering after I made my post yesterday concerning denim I heard not to straighten the grain prior to cutting to let it be, just bring the selvages together.<br /><br />I get the feeling this is your choice with knits, bring the selvages together & then cut.<br /><br />I really appreciate your input. I have been looking for good information on preparing & cutting knits.Lindalouisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01862531295220289413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-51879081807242036672011-10-06T01:00:22.121-04:002011-10-06T01:00:22.121-04:00Hi Linda - When I am working with knits, I usually...Hi Linda - When I am working with knits, I usually do not pre-wash ,unless it is a very stable 100% cotton. With my laundry I hand wash cold, or machine was cold and line dry everything except towels and jeans. I have found with smaller pieces of knits, sometimes this causes the fabric to roll, or become distorted on the agitator of your washing machine. If it’s a synthetic content then you really don’t need to worry about shrinkage in the garment.<br /><br />I find it's easier to work with knits this way, that way they don't get distorted in a washing process as a piece of fabric, vs. a finish garment.<br /><br />I'm terrible, but honestly a fabric jobbers (wholesale of odds and ends of bolts of fabric) worst nightmare! I stretch and play pretty hard with any samples before I commit to buy. I would say look at the fabric you are thinking of purchasing and imagine it in your closet, and what kind of wear you are going to do to it. A lot of times I also will rub the fabric on my forearms to feel how soft or scratchy. Or run any rings or jewelry along it to see if it snags easily.<br /><br />I will admit I’ve purchased fabric and then cursed a blue streak while working with it. Good luck!Alyson Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165924077927247799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-974829184629349652011-10-05T17:08:04.148-04:002011-10-05T17:08:04.148-04:00Thank you Alyson. I am not new to knits but I onc...Thank you Alyson. I am not new to knits but I once made a dress that twisted so this is why I ask. I always prewash & attempt to line up the salvages & follow a rib so it looks straight.<br /><br />The key must be in the quality of the knit. You said you check for stretch & return. Do you have any other suggestions?<br /><br />Thank you so much.Lindalouisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01862531295220289413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-27393647101140722442011-10-05T00:39:37.395-04:002011-10-05T00:39:37.395-04:00With knits you don't really need to, or at lea...With knits you don't really need to, or at least I don't. In large scale manufacturing you take them off the bolt/roll to "relax". Meaning that if they have been stretched out when winding on the roll they can return back to their natural state. <br />You don't need to block the fabric like you do wovens. If you do feel your knit was warped on the bolt, let it relax 24-48 hours before you begin working with it. <br />Knits are very resilient, which is why I love working with them. <br />I also "play" with any fabric before I purchase. Check the stretch and return, and make sure it's not something I'm going to go nuts working with! If you are new to knits, maybe try something with out a ton of stretch like a 100% cotton T-shirt knit. <br />Good luck!Alyson Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165924077927247799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-86833077745196390112011-10-04T23:01:05.602-04:002011-10-04T23:01:05.602-04:00So elegantly done, thank you for sharing.
My co...So elegantly done, thank you for sharing. <br /><br />My concern is starting a knit project properly, how do you recommend straightening & cutting the fabric to keep the grain line correct?Lindalouisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01862531295220289413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-47857026980429108212011-10-04T22:04:56.836-04:002011-10-04T22:04:56.836-04:00Hi Katrina - Draping is so much fun. Do try! When ...Hi Katrina - Draping is so much fun. Do try! When I marked the grainline, I used that as the center front line. It's the best way to know if your drape is getting off grain when working with something with lots of flare or cowl.Alyson Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165924077927247799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-68076756588510655432011-10-04T15:06:12.918-04:002011-10-04T15:06:12.918-04:00This is so interesting, I read it three times alre...This is so interesting, I read it three times already. Thank you for giving so many details and excellent photos. I think I could actually do this!<br /><br />One question: you said you marked the grainline, but I wasn't able to see how that worked into the draping process. Is it the same as the center front line?Katrina Blanchallehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03300264690284771712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-1479934110519993232011-10-04T10:21:44.621-04:002011-10-04T10:21:44.621-04:00Hi Tracey. The fabric is a wonderful wool/lurex (t...Hi Tracey. The fabric is a wonderful wool/lurex (the gold sparkle part) blend. It's super soft and pretty!Alyson Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165924077927247799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-59901568901848763342011-10-04T09:28:01.975-04:002011-10-04T09:28:01.975-04:00Thank you for the beautiful lesson in draping Alys...Thank you for the beautiful lesson in draping Alyson! Stunning dress! Did you mention what kind of fabric it is that you used? I may have missed that. It does look very festive and possibly a nice fabric for a holiday.Traceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00884929299028783839noreply@blogger.com