I confess I'm a terrible blogger. I've been doing well at my 2015 sewing goal of one item per week (admittedly, some weeks I sew nothing but other weeks I sew several things so my average is still good). However, you've seen none of that here. This is due almost entirely to my wanting to take "good" pictures before posting a blog post. I follow many sewing blogs and most of them have beautifully staged pictures of their darling children looking adorable in their momma-made outfits with professional picture quality. Let's be honest, that's never going to happen here (or if it does, it will be very rare). So, on that note, I'm going to pledge to blog, even if only with cruddy pictures of my sewing laying on the ironing board or hanging on a hanger on the wall. Because "bad" pictures are better than no pictures at all.
Yesterday was the start of Kids Clothes Week! I have a deep love for KCW. Inevitably, I'm never able to participate as much as I want to because something always comes up. This week I'm determined to make it happen. My goal here is one item sewn up completely each day. The theme this week is Wild Things but I'm not good at following themes. I also am participating in a Facebook sew-along of swimwear. The beginning of this week will be all about swimwear for me.
I also must confess that I hate sewing with knits. I avoid it. However one day a few weeks ago I was awake around 4:30 in the morning. (Yes, my adorable, precious son is not even close to sleeping through the night yet.) While awake, I saw that Taryn from A Sparkly Baby was working on a crew neck T that she said would be perfect for rash guards. Also in her group discussion about this, someone posted the link to Chez Ami which was having a going out of business sale on UPF50 fabrics. I knew my kids needed swimsuits for the upcoming warm weather and, since it was 4:30 a.m., I thought making them would be a good idea.
A few days later I got the shipping email for the 8 yards of knit fabric I ordered and regret set in. It was too late to turn back now so when Taryn released her
EP Crew and Board Shortie bundle, I purchased it.
Yesterday I measured my kids, printed and taped my patterns, and then traced them on freezer paper. This is the key to avoiding frustration when cutting out knits for me. I ironed the freezer paper onto the knit fabric (being careful to not stretch the fabric while ironing) and then cut out my pieces for my youngest daughter's rash guard and board shorts. I did not cut all of the kids' swimsuits out because I've noticed a tendency for knits to curl up if you wait too long to sew them after cutting and I'd rather avoid that issue if I can.
Taryn's pattern is easy to follow and I had no issues with it (even though I still consider myself a newbie at knits). I used the walking foot that I have for my machine (if you don't have one, BUY ONE). I also modified the pattern just slightly because I hate hemming. I know it's silly but if I can do a ruffle or a band instead, I do. In this case I added bands for the sleeves and for the bottom of the rashguard. I like the extra interest from colorblocking that it adds as well as the intended purpose of avoiding hemming. Also, you may note in the picture that my topstitching is a bit wonky. Have I mentioned I hate sewing with knits? It was slipping and sliding despite my walking foot and while I should have slowed my machine down and took my time, I was sewing late at night and getting tired and it's for my kid so I'm ok with it not being perfect (and so is she!).
