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…

First Project Of The Year Is Done

I did it! My first project of the year is done! I always like to start with something easy after the holiday season. Often I’ll make a t-shirt or something like that. This year I decided to make myself a pair of fun pajamas. I’ve had this fabric (bought at JoAnn Fabrics) for a few years now. The knit fabric for the top was also purchased at JoAnn’s but I don’t remember exactly what it is.

Pajama set donut fabric first project of the year

The Top

For the top, I used one of my tried-and-true patterns . The Angela Wolf Ruched-T pattern is one I have made many times. I’ve never used it for a pj top before. For this version of the top, I made it with long sleeves and the regular neckline.

The Pants

For the pj pants, I used the Sewing And The City Lexington pattern. I have made the night dress before and the short set, but this was the first time using the pattern for the long pants. The only thing I did differently on this pattern was to eliminate the elastic at the hem of the legs.

Angela Wolf ruched-t top
SATC Lexington pj pants

First Project Of The Year Is Done!

Both of these patterns are easy to sew and relatively quick to make. For me, the point of starting with something easy is to get my sew-jo going. Since I start with something easy, I believe it sets me up in the right way for the year.

The Angela Wolf Linda Tunic

The Angela Wolf Linda Tunic is a pattern that I have made a few times before. But once I saw it in plaid, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Understand that working with plaid fabric can be tricky and is not my forte. So for this, I had to take my time and use some of the knowledge I have gathered in cutting out plaid garments.

First

I cut the pattern out on a single layer. As you may know, folding the plaid and cutting it out can be a bit risky if you’re trying to match up your pattern. I have done it successfully before, but that was also with very careful pinning of the fabric.

Second

I flipped the pattern pieces instead of tracing an extra copy. Honestly, it might be easier to just trace another copy of the piece (ex. the back piece) and lay them both out flat on the fabric. This was a new-to-me technique that I wanted to try.

Next

In order to add more interest to the Angela Wolf tunic in this plaid, I cut the front placket and the yoke and collar out on the diagonal. That’s something I like to do for those small pieces because it breaks up the look of the plaid. It’s also much easier than trying to match up those small pieces.

The fabric I used for this is a cotton/rayon blend that washes great and feels soft like a flannel. I purchased this from the Angela Wolf fabric stash sale. You can get information about that and the Fashion Sewing Club through this link here. It’s a great way to learn from a pattern designer/fashion designer and sewing enthusiast.

As far as the actual construction of the garment, that is easy. The hard part with the plaid fabric is laying it out to cut. Once that’s done, it goes together fairly quickly.

The only change I made was to shorted the hem. I made this one about 3″ shorter than the previous ones I’ve made. The Angela Wolf Linda tunic has become one of my favorite patterns for tops. It’s very versatile and can be altered (or hacked) in many ways.

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