The Savvy Sewer Salon at Sawyer Brook

Hi Everyone...
Now this will be fun. Three of our veteran savvy sewers, Nata, Brendajo and Alma, will lead a sew along using knits as their fabric of choice. They will be posting soon to give you an idea of what's to come. Stay tuned...

Brenda, Alma and I are going to sew something in knit for the upcoming spring. Barb had so many nice knit fabrics lately, and I can’t wait for the new ones I am sure she is working very hard to snag for us. I think I’d speak for all three of us if I say that we would love for you to join in. The more the merrier.

The official start day is February 15, but feel free to jump in whenever you are ready. Rules are very flexible, as usual. Pick whatever pattern you want and whatever garment you want, as long as it’s knit.

I am going start by making a dress. I can’t tell which fabric I am going to use. My first choice was most likely gone, my second choice was probably gone, and my third choice was available. It’s going to be a surprise when I open the package. I can hardly wait.

Woohoo! I love knits. I mean, no matter how many woven things I sew, I wear a knit top about 80% of the days. So, there's some orangerie hitching a ride with my jacket fabric that will be a top. I'd love to join the fun.

Hi All, My plan was to make this dress out of this fabric which is called Twirlers. However now I am not sure that I have enough of the fabric to make that dress. I'll see when I lay out the pattern. Not a big disappointment, I know I will find something from the new knits that Barb has promised us. I am determined to use this pattern and this fabric before much more time goes by.
In the meantime I've got several garments to finish before we start our fun Sew Along.
Brenda

Knits are so comfortable and so much fun to play with. And that's exactly my plan for this SAL...play . I have a stash of knits, some current and some old. I've been pulling them out and trying to decide how I want to use them. I will be making tops, most likely a basic style, but I want to try and push my creativity with both texturizing and fabric combinations. It's in compatible fabrics that I find myself lacking, but I'll give it a try.
If my attempts fall a little bit short, it's okay here. It will be a hoot to share both the blunders and successes.
I will probably try various ways to cut up my basic sloper for some color blocking.
I will be sharing the steps I go thru in my experimenting and hope some of you will join me outside the box

Hello All, Today I laid the dress pattern pieces out on the fabric and I don't have anywhere near enough of Twirlers to make a dress. Since I no longer keep a stash of fabrics I am anxiously waiting for some new knits from SB. Once I use up Twirlers I'll have only a length of dark brown knit which I intend to use for a top.
From what Alma has posted, it seems that she has quite a collection of fabrics and I suspect that Nata does also. How about some of you lurkers. Are you fabric junkies or do you just purchase what you need for a particular project?
Brenda

Brenda, do you have a particular fabric in mind? It’s too bad about the Twirlers. It was such a good match for your pattern.

I do have a “collection” of 137yds. It’s 117yds more than I am comfortable with. None of it was purchased for future use. My stash represents my overly optimistic time management and various life events that altered my plans.

I purchased two pieces of knits for this sew-along. Hopefully neither one of them will end in my 27yds knit stash. I purchased Windy for a dress and Hot Red for a top. I am also hoping to use one piece from stash for another top.

Hi I would like to join this, my first sew along! I will use a Donna Karan Vogue pattern V1159

I haven't gotten excited about a pattern in quite a while, but I really like the lines of this one!

I do not have the fabric yet, it calls for a two-way stretch (spandex), I would be inclined to use either the rayon spandex or the cotton spandex. I understand this group makes Sawyer Brook fabric recommendations, which would be great.

Thanks!

Monica Mehigan
Maynard MA

That's a pretty dress. Glad you decided to join us. Are you looking for print or solid?

How about this one: http://store.sawyerbrook.com/Purrr_p_14-1729.html. The lighter color will accentuate the elaborate drape. It will be stunning paired with metallic shoes and bag.

This one: http://store.sawyerbrook.com/Valerie_p_14-1619.html will make a sweet dress.

A lot of solid jerseys will work for this dress as well.

Welcome, Monica. I have admired this pattern as well and have tried to figure out how they drapped it. Nata gave you good advice on fabric, it looks like it's better suited to a smaller print than Windy City or Hot Red. You might also consider Liddy. I think it's a lovely print.

Brenda, sorry about the Twirlers..I thought that was the perfect print for the pattern, but the pattern would work well with most prints. I am frequently stuck with too little yardage when I need it and too much when I don't. Go figure.

Natalie, you're not just the Queen of Fabric, you're the organizational diety! You actually know how many yards you have and what proportion are knits I take my hat off to you. I, also have the Windy City and Hot Red and love them. My problem is that I like them unadulterated, and I've kinda committed myself to a less straightforward use of knits. So, I'm still unsure of my direction.

I spent most of the day going thru my stash , mostly bits and pieces (I save them for binding, etc.) But the combinations didn't talk to me. The amounts were, also, too small for blocking any of the more current fabrics. I'll have to wait and see what new fabrics Barb will come up with.
I spent a little time reworking a Christine Jonson Pattern 714. ( I'll log off and then link it or end up erasing my text). The V-Neck tee looks good for blocking, but I want to curve the front panel to go around the bottom.

http://www.cjpatterns.com/CrossYourHear ... Tee714.htm

here's the link
Alma

thanks for those suggestions. I agree, too, a smaller print would work better for my pattern. I was thinking I liked this one: and I hope there is enough in stock plan to order that. Plus there is stretch lining available in off white and I will need that for the skirt portion.


p.s. I really like the colors in Windy but I think the scale is too large.

If I were feeling more adventuresome I'd lean that way.

Thanks for the link on the knit top, Alma. I haven't done a sew along so not sure if okay to talk to the other sewers? I rarely step out of the box beyond the big three patternmakers and would be very interested to hear how you like the Christine Jonson pattern. I've also always wanted to sew a Marfy but have been discouraged because I hear they don't give you a guide sheet and boy, I like using those!

I ordered the bistro http://store.sawyerbrook.com/Connections_p_14-1708.html for my dress and when it comes will start to sew! I looked over the pattern instructions, it seemed to be farily straightforward. Have to check that I have machine knitting needles, that probably would be smart. Any other spandex tips would be appreciated.

My Orangerie fabric arrived just before I left for the weekend (yea for free hotel internet access). I can't wait to get into it when I get back. I'm going to make a simple crossover top with brown binding at the neckline and sleeves. It might be 3/4 sleeves, but probably just short - I only got 1 yard.

mymehigan - I have sewn just a couple of Marfy patterns and have few more I bought and still haven't sewn. I was scared about the no directions thing but found I don't really need them for easy patterns or can use instructions from a similar Big4 pattern (jackets). They fit so beautifully (at least for me), I think a little extra effort is ok. That dress pattern caught my eye, too. I can't wait to see you make it.

mymehigan, feel free to chat up a storm with anyone, although you might want to be a little careful with strangers on the street Kidding aside, it's the purpose of the SALs to share your thoughts, questions and suggestions. I'm a new member myself and was really fearful of offending or embarrassing myself in the beginning. I may still do it, but stopped worrying about it because the process is so much fun. I can't imagine why I didn't mention the fabric Connections since it's one of the three I ordered myself. I just got up to look at the fabric again and realize that in my minds eye I had thought the pattern was larger. It should work well. I bought two Christine Jonson patterns together. I copied another pattern first, but the test piece was way too small. Every company sizes differently and a small in one company can be very different from another. I didn't take the time the first go 'round to increase the size, so I'll keep that in mind with the pattern I've mentioned. I've done L.J. Designs and Burda without too much grief, but had a pain with a Jalie. I'm just a pain to fit. I haven't tried Marfy yet myself, but I know Jenny will do it without a problem (shhhh...she can do anything).

Speaking of Jenny, congrats on finally recieving your fabrics. You'll probably be like a racehorse now that's been pent up too long at the gate. Go to it!