Making Fabric Choices

Well, I've got all my tools now: the new serger, the old sewing machine, the power scissors (Yes, I said power scissors -- more on those another time.) I've been practicing my serging: down the straight-aways and around curves, too. And I've chosen a first project from the book . I've decided to go small. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

If I'm to do what I've set out to do in my very first post, there are some important details I must take into consideration. The first is the fabric itself.

It's there, right on page 9 of the book. After giving a brief list and description of stretch fabrics, Nakamichi says, "For the slopers I have used a bare plain knit" (emphasis added). From the pictures I'm assuming this means a plain jersey knit fabric. She continues, " ...a cotton fabric mixed with polyurethane and other components." I won't pretend that I never saw that. I understand that if I use the concepts and pattern drafting methods described in the book, my various sweater knit fabrics won't behave in a same manner. That's ok. I'll adapt. I am inspired by the book. It's not required that I produce exact replicas of the garments.

Here's a close-up of one of my cotton jerseys. It's a 2-color tucked jersey, not a plain jersey. I'd probably use the technical back as the public side. It's a stretch fabric, but it would have more drape and less recovery than the fabrics in the book.

As I've mentioned earlier my plan is to start small with my first project from the book. Only thing is that there really aren't any small projects in the book. The smallest item happens to be a rather advanced cropped top with sleeves. There exists, however, a simple pattern that I really like that uses some pretty basic techniques. It's a basically a tube top gone wild. My plan is to make a smaller version of it and wear it  as a cowl.

I'm thinking that this rib, the original fabric I chose, is a bit too busy. I'm leaning now toward a simple rib that will accentuate the... um ...protrusions.

Ok, perhaps I'm a little crazy. But I can see my future cowl in a merino or baby alpaca, just the right amount of eye-pop to mix with a sedate sweater or coat. I promise you that soon you'll see it too.

O!