So, I have forayed further into garment sewing. I took a class in how to sew knits without a serger at Brooklyn General. Six of us each worked on making the Colette Moneta dress, most of us opting for the short sleeve or 3/4 sleeve version.
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| Me, my dress, and a bike instalaltion on Valentino Pier. |
I originally bought some great knits from Girl Charlee, but because UPS hates me, they took a few trips across the country before I actually got to use them. Consequently, I had to buy this amazing Birch Organic knit (Flight in Paprika by Jay-Cyn Designs) last minute. As you can tell, I was devastated by this turn of events.
Sewing knits without a serger is super easy, it turns out. You just use a short and narrow zig zag. And the result? You get all the swirly, stretchy, body hugging drape that we all love about knits.
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| Action shot! I was spinning. And getting photo bombed by the Statue of Liberty. |
The finish isn't quite as professional as when using a serger, but using a double (or twin) needle gives that great double line of stitching when hemming. And anyway, how often do people see the wrong side of your clothes? Exactly.
The other secret: Wonder Tape. It's amazing. It's like glue basting in quilting, and you'll wonder why you ever hemmed anything without it.
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| I love the double needle. Like I could ever free sew two lines like this! |
So, for my first experience with a Colette pattern, and my first experience sewing with knits, it was a great one. I haven't washed anything yet, though, so I'm anxious to see how much it shrinks. It's a little loose on me, so hopefully shrinking will not make it unbearably small. In the mean time I'm wearing it as much as possible - 3 times already this week!
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| Just playing around! Still gotta work on finding the light! Tyra would be so mad! |
Linking up to Finish it up Friday with Crazy Mom Quilts
I just made my first moneta too! I love it, and usually wear it all weekend, it's a great dress. I just got a package in the mail with fabric to make two more! I love the fabric you used, it looks great.
ReplyDeleteGoodness you look so cute in that dress! Well done, and the Flight in Paprika by Jay-Cyn Designs is super delicious!
ReplyDeletecongratulations! it is very pretty! now ... don't stop at one!
ReplyDeleteI love your {accidental-ish last minute} fabric choice, Liz - absolutely perfect for the design! Now I want to make one. But still sort of afraid of knits : P
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhh cutest!!!! Love it, love dresses so so much. Wonderful job on the making of this - you look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT
ReplyDeleteit is so cute. I don't do much garment sewing, because too many curved seams, but that is awesome
ReplyDeleteWell done! It looks fab! Great fabric choice and fun pics!
ReplyDeleteSuper awesome fantasticness!! Totally love it. And I've recently discovered the double needle amazingness - and am in love!
ReplyDeleteYour blog looks so wonderful, you did a fantastic job! I'm totally in love with it. (will you do social media icons made of cheese at some point??? I think that would be the icing on the cake. Or the cheese on the burger. ;) hehehehe) Thanks SO much for following along with my tuts and leaving such a nice comment. It makes me so happy that people are actually using them!!
xoxox
Erin
Gorgeous! I'd love to be able to sew such a beautiful dress, but I'm terrified by anything that's not quilting cotton! I've browsed fabric.com and there are so many different types of knits I don't even know where to start. So jealous.
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