Sewing Knits, My New Easy T and Some Fashion Ideas

Hi everyone,
I am having a great time playing with my Easy-T design. It doesn't have a number yet. It is just in the drafting folder with a few other ideas.

It is a continuation of my obsession with the kimono sleeve and drop shoulder. The jacket is in the drafting folder along with a shaped dress and an a-line dress.

So the t-shirt has the drop shoulders which is a very flattering style for the dolls.
This pattern will have lots of features.

• Hemmed neck and sleeves
• Neck and sleeves with ribbing
• Straight hem
• Hi-lo hem
• Draped hem
• and I am going to try it with bias on the neck and folded to the wrong side.
• So far I can see that there will need to be an extra 1" added to the bottom hem to make it great for the 20" Aussie Girl Doll too.

You must try sewing with knits.

They look so good for modern outfits.

How do I sew with knits?

• Use a stretch or jersey needle
• Use a very narrow zigzag for the seams
• If you don't want the neck or hem to stretch then you need to hem them with a straight stitch
• Straight stitch works for the back facings and the sleeve hems too
  

• When I sew on a band I use the narrow zigzag.
• To get the band right, pin it at one end of the garment and stretch it quite firmly past the neck, sleeve or bottom. Use a finger to mark where the garment edge touches the band then pin it in place.

I had to stretch the band quite a lot to get it to gather the thicker red fabric.

• Bands fit depends on the strength of the garment fabric and the band fabric. The band has to be able to gather up the garment. The easier it is to stretch the band the more you will have to stretch it to make it gather up the garment.
• Don't bother finishing off edges or seam allowances. 
• Pressing as you go is great, even on difficult to press knits
• I am going to try the bias facing at the neck. I think this will be good for very stretch knits

The Santa sweatshirt with the black shorts is a bit of a modern take on the Christmas outfit. It looks cute bit not too old fashioned. The Santa is a motive I cut from some fabric I had with various motives for Christmas. I just put an oval of fusible applique paper on to cover the motive then cut around close to the Santa and ironed him on.

I'm still working on some stockings and a beanie. Once they are done I will post a bit more about what I did.

I used the 1820 Bulky Knit sweater for the jumper but I had to lengthen the sleeves because they have no cuffs and I made the knee shorts length as boxers from 1813.

I know, we haven't even got past Halloween and I am onto Christmas. 

Looking for a quick fix for halloween? Sign up for my Newsletter to get some applique letters to add BOO to a t-shirt. Perfect size and perfect placement. I have done all the experimenting so all you have to do is pop the letters on an existing t-shirt  or sweatshirt and your doll will be set for Halloween.

Happy Sewing,

Val