Bond Machine Knitting - Dresses and Skirts

Date: Thu, 31 Jul 1997 23:11:34 -0700
From: "The Boudreau's" 
Subject: Re: [BOND] summer dressing from MKS?

Hi Lea-Ann- the best way I have found to knit the little tops is to pick a
bodice pattern that you like and use scraps of sport weight wool, then knit
to where you want to add the skirt, measure around the top and add twice
this measurement for fullness if slim and one and a half if chunky, like me.
...(VBG),.  Another cute idea is to make the top and leave out the sleeves
and add some cool cotton, they make the sweetest nightdresses.  I have also
seen this techniques using a short sleeved sweater and knitting from the
bottom up three qquarters of the way, add pleats at centre front, centre
back, and each side, then add some bows that co-ordinate or use the
magic-cord and add some ties.

Have fun and let us know how you make out.  You do not have to be an expert
seamstress to make a knit/fabric sewn outfit, just remember that when you
add the fabric to the knit item to find the centre front, add a pin, centre
back, add a pin, side seams, add a pin, and do the same to the fabric, then
stretch slight as you sew, I use a popsicle stick to force the fabric into
the machine rather than letting the feed dogs pull it in.

Have fun,
Linda
patrick.boudreau@ns.sympatico.ca      
North Kentville Knits " Where knitting is still considered an art."
                                
------------------------------

Date: Wed, 24 Sep 1997 23:26:53 -0500
From: cpolfer@juno.com (Cindy S Polfer)
Subject: [BOND] Re: Skirts

Valarie in Tennessee was asking about designing and knitting a skirt. 

When knitting a skirt make sure the knitted fabric that you create has
stability.  You do not want your stitch and row gauge to be too loose and
cause your skirt to bag and stretch our of shape.  Also, the reverse is
true, you don't want your stitch and row gauge to be too tight causing
the fabric to stand up like cardboard and have no drape.
Skirts will also drop approximately an inch to an inch and a half due to
the weight of the garment.  Figure this into your design. Making panels
and invisible sewing the seams can also add stability.  If you really
want to test the fabric out, knit a large long gauge swatch, block it and
see how it reacts when you hang it up for a period of time.

Another tip  for designing skirts is to have enough ease in the garment
for your exact measurements and style of skirt.  It is normal for a skirt
to bag and stretch out of shape if what you put into it is too big for
what it can accommodate.  Make sure you have enough ease so that the
garment will flow easily around your body's measurement.

I have heard that some people line skirts to prevent them from " seating 
out".   I have made several skirts and have never lined them.  I never
really noticed my skirts "seating out".  Then again, I know I had
sufficient ease.  The amount of ease people like varies.  I like at least
4" of ease added to my biggest tummy or hip measurement when making a
A-line skirt.  Also if designing, allow a little extra width if your
seams will be "eating up" some of your ease.

Hope your skirt turns out well.

Sincerely,
Cindy Polfer from Big Rock, IL

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 4 Jul 1998 10:07:28 -0500 (CDT)
From: Melinda6@ix.netcom.com
Subject: [BOND] summer dress

I just wanted to suggest what I did for my 4 year old for a summer dress.

You can take a simple tank top pattern and make it into a dress.  I don't 
know what size you daughter is, but if you want to e-mail me maybe I could 
help. 

I just made one, and used bernat baby softee, in mint with smaller white 
stripes throughout, and it came out great.  Even though the yarn is acrylic, 
since it's a sport weight, and since I made it like a tank top, it seems to 
be very cool.  For the winter I'm going to do an inverse of the stripes and 
make a long sleeved sweater to go underneath.

To give you some idea, I got a waist length, round neck, inset sleeve 
pattern, and however many stitches the body  is (not ribbing) cast on twice 
as many stitches, for the one I did, I think I did 12R for the hem, and then 
about 80 more rows or so.  Then I took off the skirt and reattached placing 
two sitches on ea needle.  Then continue with the tank top.  I did a 2x1 rib 
throughout the top part which looks very nice.

I hope this helps, but like I said if you would like to e-mail me maybe I 
could help more.

Melinda
melinda6@ix.netcom.com
Augusta, GA  

Back ArrowBack to the Bond List Hints and Tips Page Back to Steph's Home Page E-Mail
Please e-mail any comments to me at steph@stephthornton.co.uk

Author : Steph Thornton.
Last modified on : 8th November 1999.