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Member since 7/26/06
Posts: 1001
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Posted on: 8/10/09 1:37 PM ET
I purchased what was described as a light weight knit "suitable for t-shirts, dresses or pants". I loved the print, which was what I first fell in love with, and wanted to add some prints to my stash since I had almost all solids. Well, I still love the print! But have to conclude, sadly, that it is definitely not suitable to t-shirts, dresses or pants----at least not those meant for stretch knits. I made a t-shirt and even though it fits OK, after a few hours of wear, it gets droopy and stretched out in the front, giving it a tent-like appearance. Not attractive. This fabric has very little body and nearly zero recovery. It snaps back a little after washing, but not much. This problem is probably due at least in part to my inexperience at the time with buying over the internet. I know now not to buy a knit unless fabric content is given, so at least I have an idea of how much it stretches. But I hate to have this fabric go to waste. (Can you tell I REALLY like this fabric?) So, if it's not already to late to make a long story short, can anyone suggest a pattern or pattern type this fabric could be used for? Can I substitute it for a woven? Maybe interface or stabilize the whole thing and use it for a blouse?
  
Member since 7/11/06
Posts: 926
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Posted on: 8/10/09 3:09 PM ET
Since you say it snaps back only a little after washing, you will need to wash it before you cut it. If it's stable after that I can't see why you couldn't use a woven blouse pattern. And maybe you could take the t-shirt in a bit at the side seam?
  
Member since 11/26/06
Posts: 2701
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Posted on: 8/10/09 3:26 PM ET
Sadly, you can't turn a frog into a prince by kissing it and, likewise, you can't turn bad fabric into a decent garment with any amount of interfacing, lining, or sewing magic (sorry). It will NEVER grow and recovery and that's bad, bad, bad.

Is this a newer purchase? If so, I'd try to get my money back from the merchant maybe.

Sorry you got icky fabric...
Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
  
Member since 11/26/06
Posts: 2701
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Posted on: 8/10/09 3:30 PM ET
In reply to Vibekeinyork
Quote: Vibekeinyork
Since you say it snaps back only a little after washing, you will need to wash it before you cut it. If it's stable after that I can't see why you couldn't use a woven blouse pattern. And maybe you could take the t-shirt in a bit at the side seam?

I'd have to disagree...it's only going to stretch worse and worse with each wear, and in a most unflattering lumpy, bumpy way. I wouldn't waste the time and effort to make a sure-fire wadder.

Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
  
Member since 7/26/06
Posts: 1001
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Posted on: 8/10/09 7:59 PM ET
In reply to EveS
Thanks for the advice, Eve. Unfortunately, I bought it more than a year ago, but with packing and unpacking and moving (2x) and a car accident in that time, sewing went on the back burner. Don't remember even where I got if from, but I'd copied off the description and kept it with the fabric, which is the only way I remembered the original description. You're no doubt right about this fabric. But why does it have to be so darn pretty?!
  
Member since 11/26/06
Posts: 2701
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Posted on: 8/10/09 9:00 PM ET
I've had fabric break my heart, too! What a drag!! I wonder if you could use it as a wrap-ish, scarf-ish sort of thing? ...something that wouldn't have to bend and recover w/ body parts? I'm awful about getting rid of pretty things!

Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 422
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Posted on: 8/10/09 9:07 PM ET
In reply to USMCMom
I bought a few knits last year from an ebay seller and I too have ived to regret it. They did exactly what you described, bagged out easily. I can imagine they perhaps they had been rejected by a clothing manufacturer also and that's why they were available. I decided that they were to become my ugly muslin fabric for knit patterns. I'm going to try two new knit patterns this month and that's the fabric I'll be using for my test fitting.
I'm so sorry you had this experience. The best I could suggest is to use it for a skirt that you line. I know, defeats some of the knit quality but you get to use the print and the lining will prevent the daily bagging.
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www.luckysewandsew.blogspot.com
  
Member since 3/9/07
Posts: 1481
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Posted on: 8/10/09 9:22 PM ET
How about making something pretty for your home like a tablecloth runner, pillow, or lightweight throw for the bottom of your bed? --Lily
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Lily
  
Member since 3/4/09
Posts: 1711
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Posted on: 8/10/09 9:45 PM ET
I was going to make a suggestion similar to Lily and EveS ... make yourself a non-garment item with it. I especially like the scarf idea - you can still wear it but you won't have to worry about it stretching.
  
Member since 12/28/04
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Posted on: 8/10/09 11:45 PM ET
In reply to EveS
It's never going to turn into a prince, but a pillow might work.
-- Edited on 8/10/09 11:47 PM --
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
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