Failures in Knit Fabrics – Simplicity 1916 and Simplicity 1197
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In my post about the Double Down Day Dress, I allude to failures of the past. Here is that story.
I learned to sew with woven, non-stretch fabric. I always thought that knits were this crazy complicated thing, and I was better off just buying my t-shirts and camis. My first attempt at a knit top seemed to support this theory.
I found a fantastic knit fabric in multicoloured patterned stripes, and decided to try. I chose Simplicity 1916, view C. Since this was a few years ago, well before starting this blog, I don’t remember all of my trials and tribulations, but I do remember my zigzag stitch not behaving, and the front cross piece coming out all sorts of misshapen. I was very frustrated because I thought I was being super careful about not stretching anything and I had no idea what I was doing wrong. That project ended up in the bin, and unfortunately, I have no pictures to share.
I had some of the stripe fabric left over, and, for reasons unknown, I decided to try and make a dress out of knit fabric, using a pattern for woven fabric, Simplicity 1197. I used the stripe knit for the neck and front panel, and a black jersey for the contrast. Since I had no idea how to work with knit fabric, I tried to deal with it like you would a woven. To make it behave, I used interfacing on the curves and corners, and to stabilize the zip. I left off the sleeves and bound the armholes with bias binding. To hem it, I did a rolled hem, which was quite unsuccessful.
Despite all this, I have actually worn this dress a lot! It is my go-to dress for salsa dancing. It fits well, is comfy, and looks decent, as long as you don’t look too closely at the armholes, neckline, zip or hem…! I would like to remake this dress at some point, using the lessons I’ve learned about working with knits. Having now successfully made a knit garment, using a pattern intended for knit fabric, I now know what alterations I’d need to make for that non-knit pattern to work with knit fabric.
My biggest lesson from this experience is to not give up. There were a solid few years after this debacle where I didn’t touch knits at all and swore I never would again! But I saw my best friend making all sorts of things out of knit fabrics, and she inspired me to try again, with the Double Down. I’m so glad I did! I now have a whole new realm to explore!
What failures have you had, and how have you learned from them? Let me know in the comments!
Well this is quite a cute failure! As an artist and art teacher, I’ve had plenty of flops! It hurts a bit to fail, but I always feel like I learn more from the mistakes than the successes! I tend to nurse my wounds for a bit, but then I’ll try again after a few months!
beautiful and timeless – great work!
I love that dress…it is stunning!
What a beautiful dress! Very unique!
Good for you for trying this! You did a great job and made a lovely dress. I’ve never done salsa dancing!
I don’t know too much about sewing but I do know that sewing knits are one of the hardest things to sew…I love the design… Thank you for sharing your struggles and being real about the failures makes me feel not so incompetent!
Such a cool dress. I used to sew quite a bit when I was a teenager but just haven’t had the time in recent years. I do hope to pick it back up again in the future.
This is such a beautiful dress! I would pair this beauty with some leggings to wear for the fall season. Very crafty. Thank you!
That is very interesting and it would make a perfect salsa dress!
Failures are only learning opportunities! I have had some failure with my first real sewing project – I cut the train off of my wedding dress and used my machine to create a Christmas tree skirt. It was all sorts of awkwardly shaped but you know what? No one can tell because it’s all rumpled around the tree. 🙂
I learned a lot about keeping the fabric lined up correctly on that project and am happy to report I just sewed a fluted chair back for an upholstery project and it turned out beautifully! Not perfect, but beautifully!
I love to sew but I tend to stick to straight sewing with familiar fabrics.
Hey, lessons learned and you still have a beautiful dress! Looks like a win to me!
Stretchy fabrics are so tricky!
Nice! I wish I had it in me to knit and make my own clothes
I love the dress. I have alwasy wanted to make myself one. Maybe in the spring I will attempt it.
You are super talented to even TRY this! It’s not in my wheelhouse, but nice work. ❤
Wow I can’t sew to save my life. My failure is in trying to mend a stuffed animal that fell victim to our puppy! LOL
I think the design is really cute. I’m sorry you had some road bumps along the way, but they are definitely good learning experiences.
I really like your dress. I am not great at knits either. I made some onesies 3 years ago when my third child was born. They turned out ok-but again don’t look too closely 🙂 I definitely prefer cotton over knit! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve never knitted but my sister and grandmother love to do it!
Awesome talent! I wish I was that brave to try!
I managed to handle knits okay, but satin-type fabrics are my nemesis!
I had no idea there are actual knit fabric patterns! I too have avoided working with knits because I have heard how difficult they can be. You’ve inspired me to get a pattern and give it a go!
This has happened to me! The unforeseen perils of beginning sewing life! LOL
Very nice and interesting article. I grew up watching my momma sew with these patterns and thinking back, she had trials and “moments” with a few. She would simply rip out the stitching and try again. She made all of her dresses and it was a joy watching her sew.
Such a cute dress! I learned how to sew at a very young age and sewing very stretchy fabrics was SO hard! Patience at age 10 was not in my repertoire of traits!
This post reminds me that failures don’t equate with quitting. Just keep trying until you get it right 🙂
I made a dress with stretch velvet once, it was a NIGHTMARE, the dress ended up in the garbage several times before I finished it, so I feel your pain!
I applaud you for continuing to make clothing after a couple of snafus. I would give up – I just don’t have the patience! They are beautiful pieces though!
I’m going to look very closely, because I think this is amazing! My sewing is confined to projects that are square or rectangular. That’s it! 🙂 I’ll work up to tricky knits some day.
Beautiful dress even if it was a “flop”! I love sewing but am self taught so I make mistakes right and left!
Great tips! Thank you so much for helping with this!
If you don’t make mistakes, you aren’t trying hard enough… but what you make is beautiful… keep up the good work
It’s such a cute “failure” though! I love that you learned through your experiences. I look forward to seeing what you create next!