Sewing with Knits: Classic, Stylish Garments from Swimsuits to Eveningwear
All books in the category Knitware
by: Connie Long
Topics include: serger overlock stitch, stretch lace trim, stretch overlock stitch, thread serger stitch, spliced seams, medium zigzag stitch, using clear elastic, back leg opening, binder attachment, way stretch knits, raschel knits, triple needle, double overlock, swimsuit elastic, bias tricot, slinky knits, stretch chenille, blind catchstitch, lingerie elastic, adjust the differential feed, chenille knits, matching quarter marks, stable knits, pile knits, napped pile
Book Description:
Book Description Knit fabrics have never been more fashionable, but the prospect of creating them can be daunting even to those experienced with the needle. Because of the "stretch factor," knits can be tricky to sew without specific information about what techniques work for which fabrics. Sewing with Knits gives that information and more in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format. Author Connie Long shows both novice and pro how to create an array of garments, from slinky knit evening dresses to spandex-fitted athletic wear. In straightforward style, she demonstrates how to work with both classic styles and fabrics, and the many newer knits, including the matte rayon jersey so popular with high fashion designers. Included is information on how to adapt a pattern meant for woven fabrics, how to copy a favorite T-shirt, and how to sew with the intimidating sweaterknit. Expert advice on choosing the best patterns and using just the right techniques rounds out this practical guide.
Amazon.com -- The very characteristic that makes knits so comfortable to wear--the stretch--often frightens the home sewer. Connie Long's Sewing with Knits does away with the intimidation by demystifying all aspects of knitwear construction: layout and cutting, sewing smooth seams, edge finishing, inserting zippers, making buttonholes, and more. Long also teaches readers to achieve creative looks with fabric piecing and color blocking, and a chapter devoted to specialty knits explains how to work with swimsuit fabrics, stretch velvets and other napped knits, synthetic fleece, and novelty stretch. A very helpful chart shows at a glance exactly what techniques to use for seams, hems, and necklines for 15 different kinds of knit fabrics. Sewers already comfortable with the basics of working with wovens will find expert guidance on moving into the knitwear realm. --Amy Handy From Library Journal -- Sewing with knits can be tricky owing to the varying degrees of stretch inherent in the wide variety of stretch fabrics available today. Long, a frequent contributor to Threads magazine, covers techniques for working with a variety of stretch fabrics such as swimwear knits, Raschel knits, stretch velvet, and synthetic fleece. Full-color illustrations, line drawings, and a resource list nicely complement the text. The third in Taunton's "Focus on Fabric" series, this book is an excellent choice for public library sewing collections. Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.
The definitive text for today's knits -- This is the one! Connie Long has given both novice and seasoned sewists a comprehensive, yet eminently readable text on knit fabrics. She's unlocked the mystery of sewing with these desirable fabrics by starting at the beginning -- clear explanations of what's what when it comes to the different types of knit fabrics. And I'm not just talking about grandma's poly double knits, either! Matte Jerseys, slinkys, lace and sweater knits are all discussed. Then she takes the reader through every step of garment construction -- from pattern and fabric selection, layout and cutting, seaming, and finishing -- all with clear, concise instructions relevant to the unique characteristics of this fabric. At the end of the journey for the sewist are high-style fashions, with finishes and details that are often better than off-the-rack garments. Deserving special mention are the abundance of color photographs -- the next best thing to having the author at your side while you sew, I think! Highly recommended. A Good Starting Guide in a Barren Marketplace -- There really is a scarcity of good books out there regarding cut and sew knits. Most regular sewing books provide, at best, a cursory mention of knitting and illuminate that knits stretch and require stitching that accomodates this property (well, thanks for that). Then there's the books that approach knits from the view point of the home serger. This is also problematic because it tends to focus on seams, not design. I find serged seams ugly (though essential on knits) and want to downplay them as much as possible. This book is different in that it specifically focuses on knits, gives you a good overview of the types of knits available for cut and sew and their various properties and then outlines the various finishing/ construction techniques using both sewing machine and serger. It does a solid job of this. That said, some of the techniques are pretty homey. Personally, I don't want to create the look of ribbing by "pintucking" jersey, I would rather harness the functionality of rib (it stretches and looks nicer than this faux rib). The results pictured are adequate but a little out of date (I work as a cut and sew/ sweater designer/ technician in NYC so I'm possibly a little biased). I would like to see a book that is a tad more current and deals with the newer finishes/ tissue weight jerseys present in the commercial arena. I agree with a previous reviewer that the ballet dancer models have got to go. I'm a ex-ballet dancer myself but this aesthetic is a severe and dated. Some of the flat illustrations need work also. Overall it's a good, comprehensive beginning intro to sewing knits at home. It's really one of the best books out there and for this I give kudos...BUT as the field is so bare, there's much room for improvement.
Reviews:
Authoritative -- This is the defintive book on knits. i bought it because it was pretty much the only one, but now i know why. everything is covered from needles to the different types of knits and how they are formed, which helps to understand how they behave. i also didn't care for all of the ballet and oversized knits. everyday people with well fitting knit clothing would've been more inspirational. the only thing i wish there was more of was troubleshooting - i found the solution to my problem in a sidebar. wish there was a chart on that or something. i do recommend this book highly. Wonderful Knit Reference -- This book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn how to sew with knit fabrics. The author describes varies types of knit fabrics and appropriate type of seam finishes. There are recommendations for choosing the right sewing machine needles. I really like this book and found the illustrations helpful.
Great reference book! -- This book is a wonderful resource to have. After years of struggling while sewing knit fabrics, this book has provided me with the solutions I needed. I read it cover to cover when I first bought it and now use it as a reference. The photos that demonstrate techniques are very helpful. The only thing I did not care for were all of the photos of the models in ballet costumes. I would have preferred to see everyday people wearing classic knit clothing. Most of us don't spend our days 'on pointe'!! I would recommend this book. Great Book ! Wonderful, insiteful instruction and help for persons new to using these materials. Interfacing and stabilizing is covered pretty well.