I've been sewing clothes for my kids for a few years now. I've had some successes and some more meh results, but I've always stuck with woven fabrics because I knew what to expect and how to sew with it. I have wanted to jump in and learn to sew with knits for a long time, but since I don't own a serger, was afraid to try. I don't like failure. And I hate wasting fabric - especially when nice knit fabric is not cheap.
When Michael Miller came out with their too cute to resist knit fabrics last year, I stashed this polka dot, a solid, and a floral print. And then I froze. And it sat. I did some blog reading, and gradually came to trust that with my machine, a ballpoint needle and patient careful sewing, I could successfully sew with my precious knit fabrics.
During the Bolt sale I picked up a few Oliver + S patterns that were marked down for both of the girls. I was going to be safe and start with one that used a woven fabric, but the knits that were stacked up in that drawer were calling my name. I grabbed the Hopscotch pattern and started tracing. I made a master out of tissue paper of both the top and the skirt, and then retraced the dress onto freezer paper so my fabric wouldn't scoot around while I was cutting.
I strapped the ballpoint needle to my Rocketeer, went to a zig zag stitch, and was off to the races. Other than sewing the binding to the wrong side of the bodice the first time, the process went really smoothly. I'd say it took me about 3 hours to finish, and that's because I was being super slow and careful. If you have a serger or are more experienced with knit fabric, this could be sewn up really quickly. I went with both long sleeves and the dress, because I know that she'll be wearing long sleeves in June. And maybe still in August. I made the 18-24 month size, so she should be able to wear it for the next 9 months at least. My only real pattern deviation was that I had no nonwoven interfacing, so I skipped it at the shoulder and bodice seams. I figure that in a tiny size, it'll be less of an issue, but I'll pick some up before I make the next one and one in Annika's size.
I'm going to tackle the skirt next in a hemp/cotton lightweight denim and then make this in the shirt length out of the Oliver + S knit fabric. Then we're on to tracing and cutting patterns and fabric in preparation for the Spring Kids Clothing Week Challenge on Elsie Marley. I managed to make 3 things last fall, and I have grand plans for this one - I figure that if I can be fully prepped for the week, I can bust out a good chunk of both girls' summer wardrobes. I'm sure the baby will totally cooperate.
She says "You bet! Ready! Set! Go!"































