I used this very cute fabric I ordered from GirlCharlee.com (Thanks, Lisa!), a cotton/rayon jersey.
Nice and soft, with lots of drape. My main problem was that after washing, the grainline was very skewed. I again spent a ton of time trying to straighten it out, but finally decided to just let it be off grain. I figure, most of the tee shirts I've purchased (I won't say from where) are off grain too, so how bad could it be? Well, it could be very bad - one of the reasons I wanted to make my own is that I get really sick of the tees twisting around my body because they weren't cut straight. But I now have a little more empathy with the folks who sew up our RTW items. You can bet I'll be researching how to true up grain on knits, but if anyone has thoughts on this, chime right in!
The tee came out looking good in the end; we'll see how it fares after washing. I did it the same way I did my first one, completely on the serger and sans topstitching around the bindings. To me the topstitching really gives a tee a sporty look, and this fabric doesn't scream "sporty." Rather, it whispers, "cute."
I spread it out on the bed because if I'd tried to hang it up, it would just collapse on itself! That's how silky it is! Feels great next to the skin.
I know I owe you guys a bunch of modeled pictures of stuff I've finished lately! I've been spending a fair amount of time trying to finish up my spring cleaning before my niece comes for the rest of the summer, and once I'm in my grubbies, I just can't seem to find the energy to clean myself up and take pictures!
so cute! that fabric shop is just too addictive... i have to stay away because i always find something that i just have to have right now! can't wait to see modeled pics. :)
ReplyDeleteI told you you're an evil temptress! I got another print too - blue and red birds on off white! I <3 it.
Deletehaha! i gravitate toward bird prints also! they've added several border prints i've been oogling lately... i try to keep my fabric buying in check with how fast i can sew and i'm a little back logged at the moment!
DeleteMe too - but it's not working!
DeleteI saw the border prints, but they scare me. How would you cope with the grain being sideways?
yeah, the knit border print thing does confuse me a bit, though i've contemplated using one for the elusive knit maxi i swear will be made this summer... and use the border vertically so i would end up with the border print on the right or left side of the whole dress. i just need to find the right fabric!
DeleteThis is such a cute print! I have some jersey from GirlCharlee I have to try out too. Looking forward to seeing a bunch of your recent garments on you :)
ReplyDeleteUgh grain, it's such a pain! I wish for a world where fabric is always on grain....
I found this advice on knits in my bookmarks:
"You can’t pull a thread on a knit fabric, and you can’t steam or pull it to straighten the grain. However, unless the fabric is badly off-grain, it can be used. To find a
straight line, use contrasting-color thread to hand-baste across a crosswise loop, and then trim along the basted line. This gives you a straight edge for folding the fabric and laying out the pattern."
Thanks! I've already been doing some reading, and I've found a couple people who say to mark the lengthwise grain with chalk, and then just fold little bits (pattern-sized pieces) of fabric at a time to cut, doing this for each pattern piece. Snore.
DeleteLovely! Yes - you do owe us some modelled photos ;)
ReplyDeleteI have stopped pre-washing knit fabric for this reason and so far it has paid off.
I am seriously tempted by GirlCharlee: even with shipping to the UK it is much cheaper than anything I can buy here and much much better prints - that bird one you mention is very tempting!
Hmm . . . it never occurred to me not to wash the knits. Must try! Do go look at GirlCharlee - there was a grey knit with black birds that reminded me of you!
Deletehttp://www.girlcharlee.com/bird-silhouettes-on-heather-gray-cotton-jersey-knit-fabric-p-4661.html
Oooh, I love this pattern ... so sweet. I think you're the only person I know who sews her own T-shirts! You are a star!
ReplyDeleteHeehee - lot of us folks on the interwebs do it!
DeleteThat fabric is just lovely, I really love everything about it! The resulting project looks beyond beautiful! What I would give for your amazing skills!
ReplyDeleteThanks, lil Punkin'!
DeleteIt looks great! The fabric has a great print. I hope it fairs well in the wash and I agree that topstitching can look sporty
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maddie! The next one is going to be plain orange: that's sporty! So that one will be my maiden voyage with the twin needle!
DeleteGosh, this is so cute! I love it! Finding the grainline in knits is so annoying-- I always feel like I'm floundering around and not really doing it right!
ReplyDeleteI think it might end up being OK though - I wore it all day yesterday and it didn't get all twisty. Fingers crossed!
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