Playing with Knits, V8649 & Simplicity 2409

 I have a favorite t-shirt from Ann Taylor.  I bought it years ago and I haven't found another one anywhere near it since.  It has shrunk from repeated washings and faded over the years.  Still I love it and wear it.  I decided to try to find a new love.

I am trying to learn to love sewing on knits.  I should be great at it after getting my coverstitch machine.  I have found a few key principles for knits.

1.  They all have different degrees of stretch, which determine how tight you must fit a garment.  So, most garments need to be made twice.
2.  Some are easy to sew on, others are a bear.  I am speaking of a shirt from bamboo knit that I wanted to through out the window.
3.  It seems the big pattern companies are very generous in their sizing, so go down a size.
4.  Clear elastic is your friend.
5.  Buy interlock knit with caution.  It doesn't hang as well as jersey.

My first top is from Vogue V8649.  I made it from Michael Miller interlock knit.

Likes:  Cute pattern.

Dislikes:  Interlock doesn't drape well.  Pattern to large, need to go down a size. 

My second top is from Simplicity 2409.  I made it from organic cotton jersey.

Likes:  Cute design to pattern.  I used clear elastic on the seam between the bodice top and the skirt instead of inserting elastic.  I really liked the jersey knit.  It is the perfect weight for cute t-shirts.

Dislikes:  Elastic all the way around makes you look that big around.  Pattern also too large in my normal size and I need to go down a size.  

This is my old, favorite from Ann Taylor.

I stopped by Joann's on the way home today for a few new patterns from Simplicity.  They have a new one that is exactly my old Ann Taylor shirt.  Simplicity 1916, View D.

Stay tuned!  This experiment is not over until I have the perfect shirt.