Unsure how to sew the new knits so they’ll look great and fit better than ready-to-wear? Knits for Real People helps readers sort out the differences in fabric types and explains the fitting and sewing techniques for each. Photographs of knit fashions from McCall’s, Vogue, and Butterick pattern companies provide inspiration throughout the book and illustrate the many types of knits. The many techniques explained include: layout, cutting, and marking; seaming techniques using sewing machines and sergers, including the use of the differential feed feature; creative embellishments, including piping, flounces, “peepers,” and decorative serging; neckline and edge finishes, including bands, collars, and bindings; sleeves, hems and closures; and fitting techniques for tops, pants, and activewear. Knit fabrics are very popular in fabric stores and this book helps people take advantage by teaching how to fit patterns for this versatile material. Susan Neall is the tour coordinator for Sew Inspirational Events. She is a former editor for Australian Stitches magazine and a former craft consultant for Better Homes & Gardens magazine. Pati Palmer is the CEO of Palmer/Pletsch Publishing, a designer and consultant for the McCall Pattern Company, and an author of Fit for Real People , Mother Pletsch’s Painless Sewing , and Pants for Real People . She lives in Portland, Oregon. Knits for Real People Fitting and Sewing Fashion Knit Fabrics By Susan Neall, Pati Palmer, Kate Pryka, Rebecca Neall Palmer/Pletsch Publishing Copyright © 2015 Palmer/Pletsch Incorporated All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-61847-044-7 Contents About the Authors, 1. Knit Sewing Today, 2. Knit Fabrics, 3. Patterns for Knits, 4. Fitting Knits, 5. Layout, Cutting & Marking, 6. Sewing Knits, the Basics, 7. Neck & Edge Finishes, 8. Sleeves, 9. Hems for Knit Fashions, 10. Closures, 11. Creative Fashion Knits, 12. Wrapped & Shirred, 13. Pants & Leggings, 14. Swimsuits & Leotards, Index, Resources, McCall Pattern Company Photo Credits, Palmer/Pletsch Products, CHAPTER 1 Knit Sewing Today There is no need to fear sewing knits. There may have been a time when you feared wovens, possibly when you were learning to sew. Wovens can be thick or thin; shiny or dull; slippery or stiff; stable or stretchy. It is the same with today's knits. They include stretchy jersey and stable ponte. There are open mesh knits and knits with ribs. Popular interlocks are made from many fibers including polyester, nylon, rayon, cotton, acrylic, bamboo, lyocell, spandex, and any blend of these. In knit fashions today, a simple T-shirt might be made in a polyester print instead of a cotton. A knit top may have fashion details like a cowl neckline, a wrap front, or pleats and gathers as well as many interesting fashion details. There are solids and prints and we are combining them for creativity. In sewing patterns, there are sporty, dressy, active, and high- fashion designs for knits. The newest rage is to get creative in your knit sewing as you will see in the following pages. Knits are a perfect canvas since they are easy to work with and easy to fit. CREATIVE IDEAS FOR KNIT GARMENTS Knits allow you to create garments that wouldn't be possible in any other fabric. Melissa Goes With the Flow Pati's daughter, Melissa Watson, designs for McCall's, just like her mother. Some of her most successful patterns are designed to take advantage of the way knits drape. She loves lightweight jerseys and both of the above designs are a silk and rayon blend. The godets in the green skirt allow a lot of flare at the bottom with no gathers at the waist. It is almost floor length. Not a problem as most knits are washable. The gray dress, at first glance, looks very simple. The creativity is subtle. The sleeves have shirring ( page 93 ), the waistline has pleats on one side for draping. There is an overlay in the front; shirring below the keyhole back; and the front, hem, and keyhole back are left unfinished — the easiest treatment for this type of fabric. The McCall Pattern Company has graciously let us use images of its patterns throughout this book, which provide much to be inspired by when sewing with knits. The McCall Pattern Company has graciously let us use images of its patterns throughout this book, which provide much to be inspired by when sewing with knits. What Does It Take to Be Creative? We often hear people say, "I am not creative." They probably just need inspiration. On the next few pages, we will share inspiration from Down Under. Sue says that when she was conducting knit workshops for Palmer/Pletsch in Australia, the students got inspired by each other. One idea led to another. After attending these workshops a few times, everyone tried to invent new ways to be creative with knits. Here we share some of the results and wish there was room to share more. Australians Get Creative Pati Palmer feels that the Australians a