Monday, November 14, 2011

calling all seamstresses! I need your help!

Please pass on this post to anyone you know who knows a thing or two about sewing clothes.

A couple years ago a woman who was moving gave me a bunch of fabric. She was a real seamstress, not a play around craftster like me. I think she went to fashion school or something.

Anyway, I thought she had given me several kinds of regular jersey knit fabric, but yesterday I realized that one piece she gave me is actually seamless tubular CVC jersey knit fabric. (I had to look it up because I didnt even know what it was called.)

Basically it is a big old tube of black knit jersey fabric. I think it is used to make dresses or tshirts or something.

The problem is : I have no idea what to do with it. I thought about making a black dress or swimsuit cover up, but it is super wide, like the tube itself is one yard wide, so I could basically fit two of me in it. But then it seems a waste to cut up a seamless thing, only to make more seams. But then I dont really even know if I can cut it up or would it all unravel?

Anyway, if you know what can be done with this strange beast, especially something within the abilities of a novice, please leave a comment. Thanks!

2 comments:

  1. Well, I don't know if this would help, but I just found this tutorial the other day and was going to try it. http://sewlikemymom.com/the-shirt-skirt/

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  2. Hi Monica! Ben forwarded your post to me-- as a no-longer-novice seamstress myself, I've been teaching myself as much as I can about different fabrics lately. I got a serger for my birthday, which is great for sewing with knits including jersey, but you can use a regular sewing machine too.

    Re: the tube of jersey fabric, a book I have (Built By Wendy: SEW U HOME STRETCH http://www.amazon.com/Sew-Home-Stretch-Sewing-Fabrics/dp/0316118370/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321839956&sr=8-1) says that even if you have a tube, you should still cut out your pattern pieces as if from a flat piece.

    You can actually make your own pattern for t-shirts (and t-shirt dresses!) using a shirt you have that fits you well-- basically trace around it and add like 1/2 inch to the seam points for a seam allowance. If you're using a regular straight-stitch machine, you'll want to use a zig-zag stitch and stretch the fabric slightly as you sew.

    Email me if you want more advice; I'm pretty new at all of this but working hard to learn, and happy to share what I know. Good luck!

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