There was a discussion in my Facebook Group recently where some ladies were saying how they find sewing with knit fabric difficult because fabric either gets jammed down in the feed dogs at the beginning of sewing (see my blog – Is your sewing machine eating your fabric when you sew? for tips on this) or it stretches so much the garment goes all out of shape.

I knew the lady who started the conversation had my Trendy Transformable Top pattern so I directed her to one of the step-by-step videos that accompany this pattern as in this video I shared a great tip that helps prevent the fabric from stretching when hemming knit fabric and this same technique can also be used when sewing a seam.

Because there was so much discussion about this, I decided to share this part of my video in a blog in the hope that it helps many of you become more confident when sewing with knit fabric.

Let me know if this helps and please if you have other tips, feel free to share them in the comments below.

Happy sewing

Opps, I’ve just realised I didn’t release my Share and Tell blog for February so here it is, better late than never!

Oh, I do love sharing all your photos in my Share and Tell blog because it’s wonderful to learn about your experiences and see all the gorgeous outfits you create. I hope you enjoy reading the stories and maybe even inspired to try some of these patterns and alterations too.

Firstly, we have a beautiful Christmas Winter Nightgown from Sandra. I love the plaid look and how gorgeous is the matching Christmas stocking?

‘I am extremely proud and happy with this Christmas nightgown. It wouldn’t have been possible without your videos! I’m confident that my granddaughter will love it.’

I’m sure your granddaughter was thrilled to receive it in her Christmas stocking Sandra!

Kim is new to sewing and I’m so excited to see her first doll dress. As you can see, she did an awesome job and even added a ruffle at the hem! No wonder your granddaughter said WOW!

‘Hi Rosie, I made this for first time using your Summer Dress pattern. My granddaughter exclaimed, WOW, grandma!! I watched the videos and understood what the pattern was not totally clear about. I’m a visual learner and new to sewing.’

I just had to include this photo from Martha who has been having fun creating pretty Christmas dresses for her doll family using my Drop Waist Dress pattern and also combining it with the 50’s Vintage Dress skirt.  The results are amazing, especially with all the fancy trimmings and embellishments.  This reminds me so much of the 1920’s.

 ‘Merry Christmas to all from Mrs Joseph (Gwendolyn) Acosta and her oldest two daughters, Luisa and Magadalena.
Their dresses are Drop Waist Dress with pleats(!) on Luisa and a multi-layer skirt on Magdalena. Gwen is wearing Drop Waist Dress bodice and 50’s Vintage multi-layer skirt. – Martha’

I’m sure the dolls all had a wonderful Christmas Martha, thanks for sharing your photo.

Catherine has been super busy making Wedding Dresses, complete with veil, petticoat and bouquets, for her granddaughters and I just LOVE the lace overlay on the skirt.  The scalloped edges are absolutely gorgeous.

‘Made 4 Bridal outfits for my granddaughters for Xmas. This one is from Rosies pattern.  Made the 4 veils and 3 bouquets and 3 petticoats from Rosies instructions.’

I bet your granddaughters were thrilled to receive these Catherine.

Looks like Tina has been reliving the days she was making dance costumes for her daughters and I’m loving the result.

‘I bought this Australian Girl doll at a charity store for $2. I was really lucky as apart from her hair which is a little unkempt, not unlike my own daughter’s at times, she is in really good nick.  She didn’t have clothes, so I made her a ball dress by adding about 4 inches to the bottom of the summer dress and widening the neck line a little (although I think I could have clipped the curve a little more there as it is pulling slightly). The net already had ab sequins on (old dance fabric) so I added a few flowers from the lace onto the bodice and embellished those and the waist trim with ab crystals from my stash. (literally still have 1000’s from the girl’s dancing days!) Think I might do the same around the bottom of the dress – forgotten how much fun it was to stone dresses. Now to get her some shoes as she is barefoot at the minute.’

It’s amazing how a little bit of bling can transform an outfit into something truly stunning – even when your doll has messy hair and no shoes!  Can’t wait to see what you make next Tina.

There’s something about the red and blue colour combination that always looks smart and Wendy has done it beautifully by adding the blue trim to both the Summer Dress and the Frill Hat.  And how clever is she making this cute shabby chic flower as an embellishment too!

‘I made my first hat and another summer dress with a shabby chic flower.’

Great job Wendy.

And finally, check out these super cute gnomes that Linda made using my Winter Pyjama Pants and Trendy Transformable Top with the addition of elastic at the writs.  She’s also been very creative and made the beard, hats and belts herself.

They look fantastic Linda!

Sorry you had to wait so long for this blog but I do hope it has inspired you all.

If you would like to see more inspiring photos and get some great ideas for altering my patterns, please join my Facebook Group as we have lots of adventurous members who are loving altering my patterns to create beautiful outfits for their dolls.

Happy sewing