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Choosing a knit fabric for first maxi dress I'd like cotton blend that breathes....I think
Pamlyn   Beginner IL USA Member since 8/12/11 Posts: 50	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/28/12 11:37 AM I am a newish sewer, and I want to make a maxi or two to hang out in when I'm at home. I don't need expensive fabric - this will be only the 2nd garment I've made. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on to educate myself, about fabric, but good golly there is a lot to learn! There are sooo many different blends of fabric! I know I'd like something cotton, not sure about poly as I don't believe it breathes well. What fabrics should I be looking at?? Also, that first garment I made, a top, had a little turn up at the very bottom edge of the side seams. It slightly flares out and up and looks awful of course. I am wondering what I could have done to cause that. I used a Very Easy Vogue, pattern #8650 - view A. Thank you!
Kim12469 Beginner MT USA Member since 3/27/08 Posts: 2081	Login to reply to this post In reply to Pamlyn << Like this post Date: 6/28/12 2:00 PM It depends on what you like. If you can handle a poly knit that would be a good choice. I prefer a cotton or rayon knit for summer since it breathes better. Not all polys are made the same though, some will be better choices than others. Do you have a pattern in mind? Are you going to purchase fabric online or in the store? ------ http://kimsewsilly.blogspot.com/
Mikgirl Member since 2/24/10 Posts: 298	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/28/12 2:03 PM I also like cotton knit, but it's more expensive... If you don't mind it not cotton, ITY is easy (it doesn't fray), lots of print, and relatively cheap... I've made few maxi dresses using ITY I got for $1.99/yd from Fabricmart. Editing... Sorry I missed that you prefer cotton. I got some cotton knit fabric from GirlCharlee for about $5/yd and it felt really nice and soft! -- Edited on 6/28/12 2:13 PM --
moushka   Intermediate ON CANADA Member since 4/8/02 Posts: 637	Login to reply to this post In reply to Pamlyn << Like this post Date: 6/28/12 2:20 PM If your budget permits, try Christine Jonson's cotton/lycras and knits at cjpatterns.com. Her patterns are excellent, too. Not cheap (there's a sale on now) but excellent quality. Cotton knits are getting harder and harder to find. Rayon in a blend is sometimes easier and breathes like cotton; it's made from cellulose so it's considered a 'natural' fabric. Cotton/polyester can be quite comfortable if the cotton is over 50% of the fibre content. You are wise to always read content and care labels. Good luck.
Pamlyn   Beginner IL USA Member since 8/12/11 Posts: 50	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/28/12 5:41 PM Wow, thank you so much Kim, Mikgirl, & Moushka! I don't think I want to pay $10/yard for fabric until I get a little more experience sewing garments. Girl Charlee has loads of cotton jersey, would this be a good fabric choice? I don't have a specific pattern picked out, I was going to do a simple maxi like Mimi Goodwin does in her tutorial on YouTube.
heathergwo Advanced Beginner CA USA Member since 11/14/11 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 6/28/12 8:46 PM To learn about fabric, I HIGHLY recommend this series of books: Fabric Books They aren't cheap, but you will learn SOOO much and have samples to keep and refer to for years and years to come! HAVE FUN!!! ------ Brother Innovis 1250D Singer Curvy 8763 Brother 1034D Janome 385.19606 Brother 2340CV
Courtney Ostaff   Intermediate WV USA Member since 11/23/10 Posts: 624	Login to reply to this post In reply to Pamlyn << 1 member likes this. Date: 6/28/12 11:14 PM I would buy this (Modal breathes nicely, and $2/yd is good practice material. IMHO, that flare out at the end is usually the result of stretching the fabric too much when you sew a knit, and the thread on the seam won't let it stretch back to normal. You could take in the sides a little to compensate. Tip: Even if you think it looks awful, non-sewers can't tell the difference. The average woman-on-the-street would be totally impressed. ;) I picked up McCall's 6073 for a super-easy maxi for myself.
Pamlyn   Beginner IL USA Member since 8/12/11 Posts: 50	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 6/30/12 10:26 PM Heather and Courtney, Thank you! What helpful information, I am definitely putting those books on my wishlist and buying that McCall's pattern. Modal sounds like a good fabric choice, thanks for linking to the description of it. I went to JoAnn's today to look at fabric, I just wanted to read labels and feel fabrics. I ended up purchasing some as they had 50% off of knits. I bought this JoAnn to make my maxi. It is soft and lightweight, with some stretch. Thanks ladies, hope you are having a great weekend!
Courtney Ostaff   Intermediate WV USA Member since 11/23/10 Posts: 624	Login to reply to this post In reply to Pamlyn << Like this post Date: 6/30/12 11:18 PM That's so pretty! I hope you enjoy it! And the rayon will be nice and soft and cool this summer. That's the problem with fabric stores -- it's almost impossible to go in one without picking up some fabric. ;)
Pamlyn   Beginner IL USA Member since 8/12/11 Posts: 50	Login to reply to this post In reply to Courtney Ostaff << 1 member likes this. Date: 7/5/12 3:12 PM Thanks Courtney! Yes, this fabric feels wooonderful ~ so soft and a great weight. I am in the process now of trying different needle sizes/types and sm settings to see what works best with this fabric. Someday I hope to have a serger, but until then I *will* figure out how to get my sm to sew knits up decently.

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