Knit Sewing, Elastic Tips, and Upcycle Project Guide
- Londa
- Apr 13
- 6 min read
Memories - Memories: This time back in 2018, I was preparing to venture off to tape 2 spots for the It’s Sew Easy Series 1500 that uploaded that June 27 to PBS stations.
In those segments, I covered several sewing techniques that are SEW VERY IMPORTANT for any Sewist working with knit fabrics, which we frequently choose these days for their comfort and easy maintenance.
As a Nana who is often asked to sew for her FOUR (aren't I blessed!?) granddaughters, aged 8, 6, 5, and 10 months, I fully understand that cotton WOVEN fabrics for those projects would NEVER be properly ironed to look decent by my dear VERY BUSY daughter (especially with a 3-year-old boy in the mix!). They are COMPLETELY accustomed to wearing knits. So, rest assured, when I recently shopped for fabric online to find a BIG HUNK of knit print for matching dresses (and one for my daughter), I specifically looked for a KNIT fabric print! More about shopping online for knits later in this blog post....
Knit Sewing Techniques for Necklines, Waistlines and Hems
I'm always frustrated with knitting pattern instructions for edges that simply state "turn edge under and stitch." If you've attempted this 'technique,' you're aware that it results in a wavy, very homemade appearance! In the video below, you'll discover the AMAZING technique I developed using LASTIN - Clear Elastic, which I offer on my website.
Stop now and watch this VERY valuable 5:20 long video - You'll be glad you did!
Time Markers:
Waistline Elastic Techniques: Beginning through 1:37
Lastin Clean Snappy Finish: 1:38-2:08
Balancing the Bulk in Upper Edges AND Hems: 2:35
PRODUCTS MENTIONED:
Snappy Edge Finishes
The secret to my 'Clean Snappy Finish' is the clear elastic I use called Lastin. Years ago, I searched, tested, and discovered this product that works perfectly. It has the ideal thickness and is 3/8″ wide. It's crucial to store clear elastic in a drawer, AWAY from any light, as light causes this product to deteriorate. When installed according to my instructions, it is encased and remains intact. Find Lastin at this link below.
Knit Fusible Interfacing in Hems of Knits...
Cutting your own strips of knit fusible interfacing is definitely the least expensive way to go - and not all that hard. Cut them CROSS grain. I keep some on hand, cut 2" wide, in a storage chest at my pressing station. I use French Fuse Fusible Knit Interfacing. I wish I could continue to handle this product, but alas - I cannot compete with the BIG AMAZON - see my comments regarding that at the end of this email.
HOWEVER, I do handle my friend Emma Seabrooke's product: 1" Knit Fusible Stay Tape which is a GREAT product, and one on which, at least for now, I'm 'competitive' with the Big A price: $9.50 for a 25 yard roll. Again - I keep these both in a pretty box at the Pressing Station in Londa's Sunroom Sewing Studio.
For a comprehensive 'class' where I collected EVERYTHING I know about sewing with knits, invest in and learn from - AND have handy whenever you need it....
Why Elastic Disintegrates: My Own Conclusions/Hypothesis
OK - this is my own UN-scientific, but experience-driven conclusion... Take it or leave it, as you wish.
First of all, let me say that ANY and ALL elastic will eventually 'give out' with age - just as we do. Sew - regardless of type or application, we canNOT expect elastic to last forever.
Based on my experience, elastic will more likely maintain it's stretchy character and LAST LONGER when it gets regularly hydrated. By 'hydration', I mean machine washing. My garments that are regularly machine washed and either dried GENTLY (not to death!), or even hung to dry, seem to have a longer 'life' for the elastic included in their construction.
Let me repeat that - the tops I often wear, which have edges finished with the excellent Lastin edge 'clean and snappy' finish, as well as skirts and pants with wider elastic that are regularly washed, tend to have longer-lasting elastic. On the other hand, the dressier tops I brought to Tennessee in 2016, which I stopped wearing because fashion trends shifted towards longer tunics, and thus remained unworn in my closet, have experienced deteriorating elastic. Now that shorter tops are back in style and I'm wearing them again, I'm removing and REPLACING the Lastin 'Clean and Snappy' edges. Honestly, it makes me feel quite economical to 'rescue' a top by replacing the edge elastic. I believe my garments, created from my own patterns, are quite classic in style and have been - and will continue to be part of my wardrobe for years to come, so it is worth my effort!
I have even found that the same hydration principle applies to unworn, unwashed skirts that I'm not wearing often these days. Sadly, I find they just hang in my closet - mainly because I'm just not comfortable going 'bare-legged' at my age - which is the 'fashion'. I suppose I just need to do what makes me happy, pull out the classic hosiery and heels, and start wearing them again!!!
SEW - I invite your comment below with what YOU think about my experience that hydration can help elastic last longer. I'd appreciate hearing from ya'll!!!
And, here's a BONUS for reading this fairly long Blog Post:
A 'STITCHED THROUGH' READY-TO-WEAR LOOK WAISTBAND
My assortment of waistband elastic techniques wouldn't be complete without one I picked up from my friend, Louise Cutting, during her $1700 Pant class years ago. Wow - I taught that technique for YEARS, incorporated it into my own wardrobe, and shared it with numerous VERY happy students at Londa's Sunroom Sewing Studio. I even created a YouTube video about it, so here it is - though this one will take you 15' to watch and 'absorb'.
This specific elastic is difficult to find, so I recommend buying several 1-yard packages from my website to create a 'stash'. Sewing might be a bit more challenging without JoAnn Fabrics, but where there's a will, there's a way, right? Online sources are here to help, and I truly APPRECIATE your orders as one of the 'small guys'. SAY!!!! I just checked the 'monster retailer,' Amazon, with whom I have a love/hate relationship, as many of you might agree, and guess what: I sell it for just $3.75, while they charge $5.08!!!
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT JOANN FABRICS closing for good???
I, for one, will greatly miss JoAnn Fabrics. Honestly, through the years, especially since closing my OWN fabric shop/sewing machine dealership in 2003, and knowing what I did about textiles, I could sniff out some pretty nice fabrics there. Lately, their prices seemed to increase exponentially and now I can reason why - trying to stay in business. Myself, I think it was their constant Coupons/Sales that did them in - AND diverting from sewing to crafts of all types. No retail business can exist constantly having sales, without increasing the 'regular' price substantially in the first place. I saw that their pricing on 'regular' options like Schmetz needles was regularly at least $1 more than 'regular' MSRP, based on what I pay at my wholesale supplier. At any rate, that was the game they played, and ultimately, they lost.
I often took my Sunroom Sewing Students to JoAnn Fabrics for a lesson in Textiles - to teach terminology and to begin to understand successful fabric + pattern 'marriages'. About 10 years ago now, I put together a class to teach at an American Sewing Guild Conference called Textiles for the Seamstress. Obviously, I highly recommend it . For just $10, I know you will find it VERY interesting AND helpful as you shop online for fabric. My concern and hope is that the online fabric retailers will accurately describe their fabrics as far as fiber and construction.
From my own online shopping experiences, I can personally recommend:
Vogue Fabric Store They have a Subscription Service that is well worth the money - find it HERE
Elliott Berman Fabrics ( I used to buy from them for my own fabric store) AND they feature a free Swatching Service (you pay only shipping - well worth it IMHO!).
and, though I haven't yet ordered, it seems to me that Gorgeous Fabrics would be good as well, as I've seen some of the owner's videos, and she seems to know her fabrics.
Also - I'll add that I truly appreciate it when the fabric is shown draped on a dress form.
COMMENT BELOW with your own Recommendations!
And Now... Allow Me to RANT: Just a Tad...
Today, smaller online retailers are struggling against the giant that is Amazon! If you want a world where there are nice shops with REAL PEOPLE to visit for an afternoon or to explore while on vacation, AND if you desire a PERSONAL touch from a REAL person during your online shopping, may I ask you to PLEASE support online retailers like myself and other small retailers like those above, instead of Amazon? I know - I order from Amazon as well, for everyday things, but for specialty items, I supply the 'small guy' and humbly ask you to do the same.
My Latest Upcycle Sewing Project: A Transformation for a Tommy Hilfiger Shirt and a Denim Skirt 'Needing' Patches (IMHO)
This one just 'fell together' and was SEW MUCH FUN!!
Find this Shirt and matching Skirt for sale below:
Follow along with the Video in which I tried hard to catch most of the creative and constructing process:
Watch for my next Blog Post - on yet another Flat-Looking Waistline Elastic Application Technique.
HAVE FUN SHOPPING - Find my great Patterns, Notions , AND Unique, Handmade One-of-a-Kind Wearables at: http://www.londas-sewing.com