Silver Rib Knit For The Win!

For this particular Minerva project, I chose a gorgeous silver rib knit for the win! It is beautiful to look at, easy to sew, and can be the basis of some show stopping outfits. So, let’s get into the details.

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The Fabric

The fabric is called Lurex Rib Textured Stretch Knit. As a Minerva brand ambassador, I was gifted this fabric by them. I requested 3 meters (they are in the UK, so I order in meters, even though I think in yards). FYI: 3 meters is roughly a little more than 3.25 yards.

As you can see in the photo above, this material is like a rib knit, but with the silver threads. It does not have a high amount of stretch so it’s more of a stable knit fabric. The under side is smooth, so you don’t get the scratchiness on the wrong side.

Sewing this was easy. For the top I used a 4-thread overlock stitch. The skirt was sewn on a regular sewing machine using a stretch needle.

The Project

My first make with this was the top. As soon as I received it, I knew a cowl neck-type top would be in order. So I used my go-to pattern (TNT) and made the Ruched T. It’s an Angela Wolf pattern that has different collar and sleeve options. This is the “high” collar. Quick and easy to make on the serger it took no time at all for me to complete this project.

The only change I made to this from previous times is that I made the top 1″ shorter (it has a 1″ hem). I think this one turned out to be the perfect length!

Bonus Project

After finishing the top, I had a little more than a yard left. So I decided I wanted to make an additional garment. I chose the Kate skirt. It’s another pattern I’m familiar with and also designed by Angela Wolf.

While the pattern is designed for woven fabrics, I have used a ponte knit before for this. There is a zipper in the side seam which I kept in this one as well. I used a 5/8″ seam allowance for installing the invisible zipper. On the opposite side seam, I did increase that to 1-1/2″. That was what I needed to get a snug but comfortable fit with this particular fabric.

I lined the skirt with tricot knit that I’ve had for years.

There is no elastic inside the facing of this skirt (I did use it in my previous one).

But that’s basically it. Silver rib knit for the win, indeed!

Here’s my video on this project if you haven’t seen it yet…

How To Raise a Neckline

A couple of years ago, I made a YouTube video on how to raise a neckline on a garment (you can view it here). While that is probably one of my most watched videos, I wanted to do a little update. While the process hasn’t changed, I really want to show and tell you how to raise a neckline. That’s what this post is about.

The process is actually very easy. I have used this many times on several different neckline shapes (including V-neck).

The supplies you need are:

the pattern piece you want to alter
tracing paper or sheets of paper
a marker or pen
tape

You can watch the video above and I will try to explain as best I can.

The first thing do is tape down the pattern (just in a few places) so it doesn’t move around. I use removable tape.

Next, I trace the neckline from shoulder to the front fold. That’s what you’ll see in the picture above after this has been moved. I trace exactly as is.

Then, holding the tracing paper at the shoulder, I move the paper up as far as I want to raise the neckline. Originally, I said I don’t use this method for more than 1″. But in the video, I did this to raise the neckline about 2″. That’s probably about my limit. Anything more and I question whether I have chosen the right size or style of garment.

When the pattern piece is where I want it, I tape it down and true the lines (make them flow smoothly to the original lines). That’s it!

At the end of the video, you’ll see the finished garment where I used this process most recently.

Here is another way to raise a neckline as well. I have also done something similar.

Let me know if you have any questions. Altering the way I do it does assume that you have a good fit in the shoulder and elsewhere. As you can see, the shoulder seam doesn’t change, which is why I like using this method.

Thanks for watching and reading! I hope this helps someone out there!

My 2021 Sewing Plans

Happy New Year (it’s not too late to say that. It’s still January-LOL)! Although I did a video about my 2021 sewing plans (here), I really wanted to write a blog post about it too. I want to share some sewing goals/ideas with you and the best way to hold myself accountable is to write it out.

I wrote a list, in no particular order, of what I want to do or work on this year. This will be the year I make a jumpsuit or “aviator” style jumpsuit. Over the past few years I have talked myself out of it. But maybe, this is the year – I hope! I actually just bought a McCall’s pattern (M8046-Trudy) that has a long and short version.

This pattern I recently purchased features a biker jacket.

I have a BurdaStyle pattern that I’ve made before that I really love. That blog post is here. So that’s another great option. One thing I realize is that I love making things like jackets and jeans. They can take more time to fit, but it’s such a great feeling once I’ve completed a project like this.

At this time, most of my project thinking is going into cold winter days and into Spring. Since I never know how long it’s going to take me to get to a particular project, I like to think ahead.

I have plans for another shirtdress as well. Since it’s is such a versatile garment, I’ll add one to my wardrobe. There are many patterns (and I have more than a few), so I have endless options. And I hope to make a maxi dress at some point this year as well.

As always, my goal is to improve garment fit. That’s an ongoing process as bodies change. I learn so much with studying how different things are made. Paying attention to the construction can really help.

This is just a quick look at what I plan to do this year. I will share with you throughout the year what specifically I’m sewing.

Do you have any sewing plans or goals you’re working on this year?

Let me know in the comments. I always love to know what others are working on!