Sorting through my wardrobe last week I realized I need a few basic winter t-shirts. I love the
Plantain shirt I made a while ago, but I wanted something more fitted and it needed a few tweaks on the neck, shoulder and under arms so I spent a few hours making a perfect t-shirt pattern for me. It was basically a mash-up of the
Plantain shirt and the
Birgitte Tee.
I do love a bit or twin needle top stitching.
I am really glad I spent the time as now I have a good basic pattern I can whip a new one up in under an hour.
One thing I find quite tricky is to find good stretch fabric for shirts. I don't often mail order knits as they are usually quite bulky and cost too much for postage (my one exception is
Craft Mamas - I love their fabric!) so I am limited to local shops. All of these have come from Spotlight or Textile Traders. Many times I go in there and come out empty handed, but sometimes I get lucky. I have found searching the stretch in Spotlight or the bargain tables for rolls marked as Designer fabric which is usually marked as being a polyester blend and $5 a metre is worth the time. I think Spotlight must buy old rolls from manufactures and mark it all the same. The four shirts above were all from rolls like this and they are all very different. The blue is almost like Metallicus fabric while the yellow is quite thick and heavy and exactly like a cotton/lycra. The pink and black are also quite different from the others. Do you have a favourite place to shop for knit/stretch fabrics?
5 comments:
Wow, five!
I better get cracking.
I think the pink is my favourite, looks like it has a touch of marle in it. I love that.
These are awesome! And just what I need. I need to start labelling the knits I have so i know what works and what to buy next time. Very new to sewing for myself and kids esp with knit. Spotlight is the main shop here. Would love some variety but yes postage is a killer. :-)
what a great shape! I tend to lament the lack of tees that offer a good fit. perhaps it's time that I try my hand with knits...
Great shirts Kate!
I really do think it's worth finding that perfect shape and having it in a bright yellow packet do you can find it at the drop of a hat. Looks like you cracked it. :)
I cannot find decent jersey for love or money. I hate that it seems every single roll behaves so differently to the last that you need to modify or expect differences in fit due to stretch. Because of this I havn't braved online shopping for it! Our local 'Damn Cheap' has a fantastic range but mostly polyester which I hate with a passion. Give me good quality cotton or bamboo lycra any day and I'll be a customer for life....
Knitwit is the go-to place here in Perth - they have fantastic quality knits in every colour known to man and the girls at the Claremont Shop are always very helpful. You might find them on line as they do have swatches.
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