Sew stretchy - The Monthly stitch

So, this months 'Monthly Stitch' challenge is 'Sew Stretchy'. This is not a challenge that inspired great enthusiasm from me to start with, as I just don't get excited about sewing knits. I even considered not contributing this month, I dislike the idea of knits so much! Fast forward a couple of weeks and I have been on a bit of a stretchy bender! I don't know why I felt so indifferent, because knits are so quick and easy. I have used up parts of my stash that I thought would linger for much longer and in the space of a week and a half I have made 2 cardigans and 3 t-shirts! What exactlty did I make? (I hear you ask...)

First off is this cardigan. It's a free download from iconic Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto. I have had this pattern on my radar for almost 10 years now and have made it up a couple of times (but both unwearable in very cheap jersey), but it's a great way of demonstrating the difference a knit can make.

This is it made up in a thick ponte jersey. I got this rather large remnant for £1 (amazing right?). The pattern, once made up, is a like a sculpture and the concept is quite avant garde. I would say that in this fabric it is more of a jacket than a cardi.

I am wearing it upside down, which is how I think this version looks best! The bottom of the collar turned upside down forms a lapel type flap and the back is alot longer and the shape cocoony.

But, here it is on the mannequin...Before we go any further, I must make it clear that I did press this constantly, but whenever I put it down it seemed to crease!

It has a shawl collar when worn the right way up and look how the sleeves hang from the side! It's as if it already has arms in them. I love that part of it! (although they look a bit funny from the front) The back is short and on the waist, which gives a blouson effect.

This is the same garment in the light pointelle knit I got at the sewing meet-up on Saturday. It's so light and drapey. This is more suited to wearing the intended way up, but maybe not with these trousers creating a bum frame!!!!

 

I love this knit! I kind of picked it out on a whim and when I got it home wasn't quite sure if it was my kind of thing, but I think it will make a great cover up for the summer.

Ark at me...I made a twinset! Yep, I had enough fabric left over to squeeze a cropped Hemlock Tee out. I haven't pressed the hem well in this picture, but it looks alot better now that I have!

Here's another cropped Hemlock, but without the neckband. I just folded over the overlocked edge and stitched down with a straight stitch for a plain finish. Well, there was that and the fact that I was running out of scraps! This was left over from my stripey dress and I intended to wear this to the Saturday meet-up, but when I tried it on in the morning realised that it was too warm as the weather was-a-scorching.

Here I am wearing it for MMM'14

I must confess that I liked it so much when I finished it that I immediately ordered the reverse colourway of Cream with Navy stripe. I have a metre of it, so may make 2 if I can make it go that far, or maybe order a bit more Navy with Cream stripe and mix them together a la 'Petit Bateau'.

This is my last streeeetch! This fabric is weird! It is a black and white stretch brocade with a 50's/retro scribble weave which seems to be woven entirely in Lycra or some very synthetic yarn. It feels good quality though and is really thick. This was another £1 piece and I have enough left to make a skirt. Twinset and skirt suit in one month? How mature of me! I made this using the same pattern as my Crimplene jacket, but obviously sans front opening!

There we have it, the fruits of my stretchy labour! I have surprised myself with this challenge and would urge people to try out the Hemlock tee. The Yohji Yamamoto jacket is not for everyone, but it's definitely worth a try. Personally I love them both and feel I have created some really useful basics for my wardrobe.

Phew, glad I got there in the end!!!