Today we’ll sew in the sleeves (easy!) and sew bands to the hems (just as easy!) to finish off the top. None of these steps are particularly hard, but I thought I’d complete the demonstration of this top, from start to finish. Get the pattern here. Catch up on previous posts: Three Tips for […]
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Renfrew Top: That Tricky Cowl Collar
Hey, everyone! Today I’m back to demonstrating sewing the Renfrew Top, working on the collar of View C next. I’m excited to add this demo to the library as it will answer a lot of questions! Here’s where we left off, if you’re just catching up – Sewing and Stabilizing the Shoulder Seams. (Get the […]
Renfrew Top: Sewing & Stabilizing the Shoulder Seams
Today I’m going to talk about sewing the Renfrew Top. We’ve done several posts leading up to this moment, talking all about knit fabrics, cutting, choosing a view to make, and general tips for sewing knits. The sewing is going to seem so quick compared to all of the preparation! First, let’s sew the shoulder […]
Why Add Twill Tape to the Shoulders? Plus Possible Substitutions
Hello, everyone! Today I’m talking about twill tape. What is it for? Why do we put it in the shoulders of the Renfrew Top? And what could we possibly use as a substitute if we can’t find twill tape locally? Let’s start with why we add the twill tape, then talk about possible options if […]
Cutting Striped Knit Fabric & Matching Stripes
Today I’m cutting my striped knit fabric for the Renfrew Top. Remember how we lined up the ribbed lines along the fold of the fabric to ensure our solid-coloured knit fabric was on grain? We’ll do something completely different to line up our stripes today. (This is a long post but it’s full of good […]
Thoughts on Cutting Knit Fabric, Notches and More
Hello, everyone! I’m back to work on my Renfrews! Look at how the fused pattern pieces cling to the fabric! They’re not ‘sticking’ like they’re sticky, but seem to grip to the surface of the knit fabric and don’t slip around like tissue does. I could probably cut without pinning at all. (If you’re just […]
Cutting Knit Fabric: Making Sure Your Project is Perfectly On-Grain
More Renfrew sewing progress! I started my assembly-line cutting with the solid knits, because they’re easier than stripes. The fabric I’m using is a 95% cotton, 5% spandex jersey knit in a medium weight. It’s heavier than a standard tee shirt but not anywhere near as thick as yoga pants. (It sure is hard to […]
What’s a Stable Knit Fabric?
Let’s talk about fabric! On the back of the Renfrew Top pattern, the recommended fabric is a Stable Knit Fabric. As opposed to any old knit fabric, a stable knit fabric will work better with the self-fabric bands at the cuff and hem, and create a nicer looking neckline band. So, what’s a stable knit […]