Site-Wide Activity

Hi, Nancy I have made many of the jackets, using quilting cotton for one side and various fabrics for the reverse – linen-cotton (Essex), lightweight tartan brushed shirting (poly/cotton), sweatshirt fleece, french terry, cotton interlock, and cotton ponte. When I use a heavier fabric, I trim the shoulder darts so that the bulk is reduced. I’ve…[Read more]

Thanks for your feedback! I think I agree…unless I could get
A very lightweight flannel, I guess. I’m looking at other fabrics now.

I think flannel would work fine, particularly for the jacket and pants. It might make for a somewhat stiffer/less drapey top or bodysuit.

I hope it turned out well!

I also had trouble with these necks initially. With my first few, I was convinced the neck bands were too short!

I have also found some knits to be fiddly, so sometimes I use a wide zigzag to connect the two long edges of the neckband together. This way, when I attach the band to the neckline, it works a bit more like…[Read more]

I second this getting easier with practice – my first few neckbands on knit shirts were a certifiable nightmare and required several attempts, extra passes with the serger, etc. Now it doesn’t stress me out.

However, if lots of pins don’t seem to help you, I’ll note that I go the opposite extreme from Lightning – I only pin my knit necklines (and…[Read more]

How did this work out for you? I was wondering something similar. I am only an amateur apparel sewer but have sewn many other things…. I just feel unsure about altering the pattern.

Thank you sooooooooooo much! (Hint to Liesl: your instructions are confusing!)

Lightning McStitch,
Thanksso muchfor the hints!! Will give them a try!

The “cut placket piece” referred to in step 2 is not the 1″ strip you’ve just removed from the front of the shirt.
The cut placket piece is a separate pattern piece.
Check your cutting layout. You’ll find it. It’s plenty wide enough to follow the instructions as written.

Hi Ann,
Curly knits can be a right pain.
One tip I’ve heard, but never yet resorted to trying myself, is spray starch.
I tend to pin the shoulders, centre back and centre front and then start stretching and pinning all the rest of the way around.
Use lots and lots of pins.
If you then find it scary to sew the neckband on with the serger and all…[Read more]