Sep
9
I realize most of you have been on ‘pins and needles’ anticipating how my first date with Mr. Knit went. Oh, you haven’t? Well, I am going to bend your ear anyway.
I can sum it up in five simple words, “It’s not you, it’s me”.
Good thing my first date with Mr. Knit began with the Oliver and S, Playtime Tunic and Leggings. It was “love at first sight”… and Oliver and S was there to ‘hold my hand’ through the experience!
Let’s rewind to the beginning of the year, where I proclaimed I wanted to learn to sew with knits as one of our ReSEWlutions. I promptly signed up for a Whipstitch, sewing with knits class, and ‘took’ the class…but didn’t attend any of the labs. Okay, basically, I didn’t sew a single stitch. FAIL.
Great class, but even better if you chose to actually be involved. Maybe it was the fact that children’s clothing motivates me, sewing for myself didn’t. However, I NEEDED the techniques and practice to sew comfy knit clothing for the nieces.
Obviously, I had a bumpy ride with Mr. Knit, but really…what can you expect from a first date?? While the leggings are far from perfect, they came together VERY easily {largely in part to the thorough, explicit instructions of Oliver and S}. The leggings use only one pattern piece and were an excellent fit for EA. We chose to sew a 2T with 3T length.
The Oliver and S, Playtime pattern includes leggings, as well as tunic and dress options. There are two options for length, and two options for fabric – woven OR non-woven on the tunic/dress. Then, you have your finishing touches of pockets, topstitching details, and/or a faux peter pan collar!
Which, of course, means your possibilities are practically endless. When I say it was difficult to “go out” with Mr. Knit, instead of Mr. Woven, that would be an understatement, but, I NEEDED to give Mr. Knit a chance and this was a prime opportunity to give him a whirl…or should that be twirl?
So, we plowed ahead. Quite literally at times, it was a ‘dirty mess’ of things on the inside of my garment. On the outside however, the “date” appeared as though it were smooth sailing – or at the very least, sufficient. We chose to sew the 2T tunic with 3T length (although the 2T length would have been sufficient).
Specifications:
2T, lengthened to a 3T {both for the tunic and leggings}
Now, if I could solicit a bit of knit sewing help from all you knit lovers out there, I’d appreciate it! Let me preface this with I think I have the appropriate tools (ball point pins, twin needle, walking foot, jersey needle) and put them to good use.
I have two specific questions, but any additional pointers and tricks you want to send my way would be greatly appreciated and taken to heart! First, when using the stretch stitch, what settings do you use as far as length, width, and tension? Secondly, when using your twin needle (which I really liked), what stitch length and tension do you set your machine on? Any other suggestions? I’m begging you to send them our way!
So do I foresee a second date with Mr. Knit in my future? Gulp. Yes. Maybe next time I’ll ask Mr. Serger to chaperone us {yet another ReSEWlution}. Hopefully one day this will read, “And they all lived happily ever after…”
EA wouldn’t have it any other way! She was living in the lap of luxury / comfort…
even with the sweltering heat of summer surrounding her!
**Please note: The Oliver and S, Playtime Tunic and Leggings was given to us, but {as always}everything written is our honest opinions.
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Cindy