I just finished reading Marcy Tilton's book, "Easy Guide to Sewing Tops & T-Shirts." It contains three good tips for sewing knit tops that I thought the group would appreciate based on comments I've read in past pattern reviews.
1. Because the front of the body is larger than the back, Marcy recommends adding 1/2 inch to the length of the front pattern piece at the bustline. This 1/2 inch is then eased into the seam at the bustline when sewing. This gives a smoother fit to the front of the garment. (It may also eliminate the need for a full bust adjustment for some people.)
2. To prevent a garment from riding toward the back, she recommends balancing the armhole. For an armhole to be balanced, the back armhole must be 1/2 inch longer than the front armhole. If the front and back armholes are equal length (which is the case on many of the Kwik Sew patterns I've used), then she recommends adding 1/4 inch to the back shoulder seam, trimming away 1/4 inch from the front shoulder seam, and, if the pattern has a sleeve, moving the shoulder seam dot on the sleeve 1/2 inch toward the front. (This is essentially a forward shoulder adjustment.)
3. To prevent/minimize stretching and rippling, she recommends using a satin-stitch foot instead of a regular foot when sewing with double needles.
I am using the first two tips on a knit T-shirt I am making and am pleased with the results so far. |
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These are all wonderful tips -- thank you so much for posting them! I certainly plan to use them very soon !
7/19/04 11:11 PM
Thanks, Cindie. I've yet to sew my first knit top but have a bunch of fabric on the way. I'll look at this again before I start.
7/20/04 3:04 PM
Thanks for posting Cindie. I have this book, but I missed the tip about the satin-stich foot! This is a great book for anyone sewing knit or woven tops.
7/22/04 1:59 PM
Great tips!!! I now plan to purchase the book!
8/27/04 7:39 AM
Great info! GJ
3/29/05 11:29 PM
Wow, this looks like a valuable book to have in the library, based on this tip. Thanks! -Ann
3/30/05 6:41 AM
Great tips to go along with this knit top-I've been a little leery since stretching out a knit neckline. I have this pattern and didn't see many reviews on this view. Thank you. I'll try it now!
1/12/08 5:07 PM
Wow! Great tips! Thanks for sharing~
1/22/08 0:47 AM
This is very helpful information.
7/13/10 1:40 PM
This tips are a great help. I am just starting to sew knit tops. I have run into some of these problems. Thanks!
7/21/10 5:51 PM
thanks so much!
7/13/11 7:43 PM
Good information that I have not seen before. Thanks for sharing.
12/4/11 3:03 PM