EmmaOneSock fabric and service

[PatTM]

Thank you Shannon!  Wonderful ideas for issues I have also been wondering about.

The Emmaonesock site is also where I saw the Sewing Workshop CArnelian Coat made into a full length coat with the closing moved higher.  I thought this looked very attractive.
 

[Terri K]

Thanks so much Shannon for your detailed response!!   I picked some heritage Stayman-Winesap apples from our neighbors tree today and baked some of them.  I just returned from the grocery store because I ran out of cinnamon and sugar  - you know when you have two guys, husband and son, that when it's used up nobody tells the mom.   So thought I'd check back here.   

I have enjoyed your contributions to the EOS site so much and these inspirations are such treats.   And I love Linda's taste in her selection of fabrics.  I'll have to brush up on my crochet now.   

Here's some eye candy inspiration that I thought of after reading your contrast binding instructions.   I  just got an Anthropologie catalog this week with this Sweater Coat with contrast knit binding.   I love the look.   Go to the link and use the zoom feature to see the details.

[emelle]

thanks shannon.

[Georgene]

I paid a visit to the Loes Hinse store in Carmel CA a couple of years ago and was very struck by one of her hem finishes on a chunky rib knit pull over top.

Those who bravely try to work in sweater knit yardage know the perils of hems in rib knit, and the double whammy of chunky + rib is terrifying to contemplate.

Here's how LH solved it, breathtaking in its simplicity: a strip of illusion mesh in a matching or near matching color, wrapping the edge, sandwiching the rib. No turn back, just the raw unfinished edge of the net. Net will never ravel, and the 1/2-5/8" binding at the edge of the chunky rib knit just sort of disappeared visually.

This is a great no-bulk solution to finishing a knit edge. I can see it being used in a variety of situations...and becoming a feature if lace yard goods strips are used, or printed mesh, or contrast color. The possibilites are endless....

[Terri K]

Georgene, thanks for posting that.   I remember Loes using illusion net in many ways when I visited August of 2007.   I'm confused as to the technique since you say it wrapped the edge but then had the raw unfinished edge of the net.   Do you recall if this was done using a reverse Hong Kong finish, sewing the mesh on the wrong side and wrapping to the front, then stitching in the ditch?     I'm trying to visualize.

[DeniseM]

FYI EOS has a bunch of new fabrics up on her site. Some really great stuff for fall.

[Robin]

Thanks for posting all these great ideas, Shannon and Georgene.

I sewed a gorgeous sweater knit from EOS last year and I learned about the lack of recovery.   I was using a really simple T-shirt pattern and I added a center front seam to it to make it into a cardigan.  I would not do that again.  I would sew with a pattern designed for wovens, meaning more ease and shaping darts /seams.

It also would have been better if I had fused narrow strips of lightweight interfacing along the neckline, shoulder seams and armscye.  I have recently adopted this practice in all the knits I sew- that could be something to do with my sloping forward shoulders and might be overkill for a different body type.  And If i had it to do again, I would have sewn a cuff with elastic inside to work with the drapiness for the sleeves.

BUT, it is still very pretty and I get compliments on the gorgeous print every time I wear it.  I like sweater knits because it brings nice variety into my wardrobe.


edited to add- I handsewed the hem.

[Karendee]

Robin,

This top is really lovely; sorry it was so hard to work with.

Thanks to all of you for the hint in working with knits, especially sweater fabrics.

Karen

[Lisa]

Thanks to both Shannon and Georgene for great info on working with sweaterknits!

 

Lisa

[Robin]

I am so glad I read all of these tips because I am currently sewing a jacket from a mystery knit-type pile fabric. 
I kept all these ideas in mind as I struggled to finish some edges that wound up a little too short to hem.

The tip that worked best in this case was to fuse a strip of interfecaing along the edge which gave enough stability for a nice serged edge, which then just disappeared into the pile.  I also tried the crochet method and ... well, I had to pick that out!!
I'm just saying, it was NICE to have options!!

I feel much more confident approaching some of these lovely fabrics.
Thanks!!!

[DeniseM]

Robin, your sweater is gorgeous. I love the print. EOS had some of the most gorgeous sweater knits.

I want to add my thanks to Shannon and Georgene. I'm just finishing up a cashmere sweater coat and I did add a strip of binding to the shoulders and interfaced the front and neck facings with a lightweight stretch iron-on. I only wish I had restyled the pattern to give it a bit of dip in the back, which I think is really pretty and flattering on a sweater coat.

[ShannonG4d]

I'll add one truly unconventional technique you might want to try.
In working with some very unstable sweater knits several years ago (not from EOS:)), I was frustrated with the inability to sew a neat seam.  The fabric slipped and slid and had a life of its own.  Very close to that time, there was an article in one of the sewing mags about an upscale factory that uses paper templates for precision sewing.  I've been aware of small template (pockets, collars) for some time, but had never attempted a full-bodice template.  After several tests, I found that I could temporarily fuse a freezer paper template of the pattern piece (minus seam allowances) to the fabric in question.  This made a stiff and bulk piece.  To make the piece easier to manipulate, I then cut out all the paper in the interior of each template, leaving about 2 inches around the edges.  This worked beautifully.  I fused the now window-like template to the fabric, stitched outside the paper, and then removed the paper after stitching. 
I do NOT recommend doing this with every sweater knit.  Avoid using this, in particular, with mohair or angora or anything hairy.  But if your knit is hard to control, it's worth testing to see if this will help.
Shannon

[sdBev]

Thanks for some really great tips about working with sweater knits.  I've used the knit interfacing for years in the hems, but never thought of the armscye and neckline.  Must try it there soon because these are 2 places that knits give me fits.

[DeniseM]

After looking at the price of sweater coats at Talbot's, I'm convinced I can do much better making my own. I just finished my Burda cashmere sweater coat and it's really pretty. I have some Missoni knit from EOS that I bought a while ago and I'm going to make the Loes Hinse sweater coat and maybe make another Burda coat. Shannon's tips will make it even better.

[BetsyV]

Denise did you buy that wonderful fall colors Missoni Linda put up in the summer? I have been eyeing that one since the day it went up. It's all my colors. $58/yard though. I don't think so.

[Robin]

After looking at the price of sweater coats at Talbot's, I'm convinced I can do much better making my own. I just finished my Burda cashmere sweater coat and it's really pretty. I have some Missoni knit from EOS that I bought a while ago and I'm going to make the Loes Hinse sweater coat and maybe make another Burda coat. Shannon's tips will make it even better.

Will you post pics of your cashmere coat? pretty please?

And I can relate to your reaction to RTW prices.  It does put it into perspective, doesn't it?

[vtmartha]

Betsy, I think Denise and I bought some of the same Missoni knit from EOS last year when it was on sale.    It's predominantly red - very pretty but I haven't sewn mine either.

[DeniseM]

I posted a pick of my cashmere sweater coat on the sewing for the middle ages thread. I'll do a PR review and post a link if anyone's interested. It's not an EOS fabric so I don't want to get off topic here. But when I do the Missoni coat I'll post that here.

[mfedna]

I've used the V8430 for a knit and it worked beautifully- I am going to try it with my next EOS sweater knit, also. For finishing sweater knits at the hem and sleeves I use a satin ribbon. I have noticed that sweaters "grab" at the high hip on me -- and from behind this is not a good look  so my satin ribbon/satin tape adds an element of 'glide' when it is about 1" or so. That helps the sweater not to grab at the high hip. M

[joan71]

Thanks, mfedna, for yet another good option for us to finish our sweater knits. 

Joan

[DeniseM]

BetsyV, I bought the one she had up last fall, which has a lot of red and isn't really my color but the fabric is gorgeous. After looking at the prices of sweater coats elsewhere I don't think $58/yard is outrageous given the quality of the fabric. For 1.5 yards you can make a wonderful coat or long sweater. I'm still eyeing the fall colored Missoni and thinking of selling off the red to buy it.

[BetsyV]

Maybe I'll treat myself for my birthday in a few weeks if it's still there ... thanks for the photo. The red one from last year didn't thrill me, I am not a red person unless it leans toward the blueish end and on toward maroon.

ETA: Did anyone notice the new raincoat fabrics Linda has up? I am so so tempted by 2 of them. How many yeards for a knee-length trench for a Big4 size 16?

[Marji]

Betsy, I just looked at those rainwear fabrics this AM
There is so much on Linda's site right now that is beyond fabulous!!

I hate to tell you this, but I bought some fabulous rainwear (labeled as YSL) at Britex 5 years ago - it's still on the bolt in my stash - and the (now OOP) Vogue Trenchcoat pattern
and I'm pretty sure I had to buy 5 yds of fabric.

As soon as I get back downstairs I'll check the envelope for yardage for the knee length and update this post.

[Terri K]

I was browsing Linda's selections this evening after receiving her newsletter and saw that she was selling the same elegant stretch denim for sale from which I made an Armani-style Bistro Jacket (Loes Hinse pattern) back in 2003 and a matching pair of Loes Hinse pants.    Here's the fabric link and then my Bistro jacket out of the same fabric.   I sent Linda the photo.   Apparently this was such a classic that the mill decided to produce some more.

  EOS Italian embroidered stretch denim      

[Elona]

That fabric looks wonderful in your Bistro jacket, Terri!

[Terri K]

Thanks for the nice complement Elona.   I told Linda that she has great taste, as if we don't know that already     If anyone is looking for a really nice, and different stretch denim, I highly recommend that fabric.   

[DeniseM]

Love your jacket, Terri. I have to stop buying fabric for a while because we're trying to downsize and my fabric stash is a real storage issue. I do love that fabric, though.

[LyndaC]

I don't often purchase from EmmaOneSock because the price is at the top of my budget, but EVERYTIME I splurge, I am thrilled!  I ordered a yard each of the neutral cashmere-like rayon knit and the rayon-lycra abstract green and purple knit.   I will try to post how well the garments came out, because of her lush fabric.   I used a morph of Burda 3215 and Simplicity 6731 for the smaller cowl neck treatment.  They remind me of Anthropology.

I stabilized the neckline, shoulder seams, and armholes with clear elastic fed through the serger. 

[joan71]

LyndaC, youza, youza.....you look great in your Tees. The green fabric with the placement of the design is perfect and I like your morphed pattern too.

Joan

[fzxdoc]

LyndaC, you look great in your new tops.  Are the white lines on the print top part of the print or are they a 3D embellishment?  It's hard for me to tell from the photo.  You did a nice job!

Kathryn

[lessalt]

Lynda, Great tops - I am always happy with emmaonesock's fabrics and watch the knits especially.

[cmarie12]

LyndaC - LOVE your tops...the pattern placement really makes the tops!  I too have purchased some amazing pieces of fabric from EOS...not as much lately because her prices are a little steep...but you do get an amazing quality fabric for the price...and some of my more interesting pieces are from Linda!


*morphed sewing workshop mission tank*


*twinset made from OOP Burda cardigan pattern 8869 and morphed SW Mission Tank

I have a few other pieces that I purchased last year that have recently started to stalk me in my sleep!  They will have to become garments soon!    But if you love unusual, high quality fabrics...I strongly recommend Emmaonesock!

[marciae]

Great tops.  The fabric in the twin set is awesome!

[vtmartha]

I, too, love her fabrics and these are some gorgeous examples of how nicely they sew up!  I wish I could be certain of getting a suitable garment from a single yard of fabric.

[blue mooney]

Wow, all the pics on this page are lovely! Robin, Terri, Lynda, Carolyn....I hope I didn't leave anyone out... they're all beautiful!

EOS is generally pricey for me, so I don't buy from them "on spec". It has to be a very specific fabric/pattern pairing that I want to make up right away. Consequently, I don't buy from them very often, but the fabric has always been very nice when I have. They always have super-unique offerings that are inspirational.