This past spring, the Atlantic Sewing Guild to which I belong had what was called a Knits Challenge. The idea was to sew something out of knits, preferably one of two McCall’s patterns, McCall’s 5890 or McCall’s 6247, but not necessarily so. The patterns were chosen for the general simplicity to encourage many to try, but also for their versatility as each had a wide variety of pieces. I had sewn with knits before, like with this customized dress from two patterns, so I went with trying a pattern not meant for knits as my challenge. In the spirit of sewing with knits, I would be expanding my range to be able to sew more things with knits should I succeed, meaning I would be sewing with knits more often in the long run as was the goal for everyone to get some more experience sewing with knits.
pattern
The MISSIE Dress
I belong to the Atlantic Sewing Guild. Last year, they had a mentoring program where members were matched between mentor and student pending on who wanted to learn certain things, and who could and would be willing to teach it. One thing I knew I needed to learn was how to bust fit garments for women. I didn’t want to be limited to making dresses only of pattern sizing, or be helpless when even that doesn’t work well. Mary Baxter of the Guild was very kind to step up to teach me and here is the result!
NIGHTWING Running Body Suit / Cosplay
When I found out Wild Ginger fashion design software had a pattern choice for a body suit, I was so stoked! Being a geek and nerd, you can just imagine how many cosplays I have at my disposal being able to make body suits. I can even make some for girls! However, it was the practical thought of having superhero body suits to run in that was most appealing to me! Why run around in boring running clothes, and not great ones at that for a little 5’2″ 108 lb guy like me, when you can do it in a chic superhero outfit? I’ve had the same thing running clothes for about 15 years cause it’s so hard to find stuff that fits, or can be tailored properly to avoid causing chafing or wardrobe malfunctions. Besides, the streets could use a little livening up if superheroes and villains were running around them.
My Animatrix Winter Coat
One of the first patterns I ever tried sewing was Simplicity 5386, which was the duster coat copy from one of my favourite movies, The Matrix. Nice pattern. Horrible sizing. There was so much ease in the pattern I could have fitted a woman inside it along with myself, which would have been great for another type of garment but I digress…
A Pattern for Collars (Simplicity 1727)
Collars are something most of us put on as the pattern dictates when we sew. We wouldn’t think of changing it for two main reasons:
- A nice one was chosen for the design so another one probably doesn’t match as well.
- We’d have to create a custom collar, which is more work and possibly skills we don’t have.
Digital Citizen 