How to make a perfect dress: A guide to sewing and Knitting Techniques

by Rajpal Singh on May 13, 2022

Who doesn't love wearing their grandmother's knitted sweaters? These knitted sweaters were soft and warmer than the ones we purchased from the shops. Well, sewing and knitting aren't as simple as our nanny makes them look. It requires patience and techniques.

As you begin the knitting, you will find yourself lost in the yarn. You might start feeling futile, but don't give up. To make a perfect dress, you need tips on sewing and knitting techniques. Let's look into our grandmother's secret knitting techniques.

Types of knit fabric

Many materials fit in the knit fabric category. Some are light fabrics trickier to sew, and more robust stretchy fabrics are easier to handle.

Jersey fabrics, sweater knit fabrics, double knit, and novelty fabrics are some examples of Knit fabrics. Each of them has unique qualities, making them suitable for different garments.

Knitting defends the pattern you choose. So always understand the nature of the fabric.

If we look into the nature of some fabrics, then jersey fabric is comfortable and a popular choice for knitting and sewing tops and t-shirts. Double knits have layers, making it easier to sew for a structured garment.

Sewing and Knitting techniques

One of the best methods for sewing is by using an overlocker or serger. Unfortunately, it will be out of budget, and scale. No worries! You can always find a loophole. One can achieve the desired results with a domestic sewing machine. From avoiding universal needles to using zigzag stitches, follow these sewing and knitting techniques-

The right fabric

To begin stitching, choose the quality fabric. Fabrics are expensive so choose wisely. Avoid buying more than required.

Washing the fabric

Some fabrics tend to shrink on washing. If you will not wash your fabric before sewing, the final product might turn out to be useless or unfit. Pre-wash the fabric and iron it before using the fabric.

A good sewing machine is crucial!

A good sewing machine is not a fancy art costing you a leg and arm. You can look for ordinary straight stitching or a zig-zag sewing machine. Just keep in mind to look for a sewing machine that can work for hours.

Pressing! Pressing! Pressing!

Many people skip the pressing while stitching clothes. You don't have to look for an iron box. The whole look of your product depends on pressing. Pressing your clothes adds a professional look to them. Always sew the seams open. Remember to iron the clothes firmly after finishing the stitching. Adjust the heat setting according to the fabrics.

The right needles do the work.

Ballpoint, jersey, and stretch needles are excellent choices for sewing knits. Ballpoints have round tips ensuring a smoother stich and don't snag on the fiber. Using a universal needle might work needle but go with stretch needles is best.

If you still are in doubt, try all sorts of needles and see what's best for your fabric.

Sequence of stitching

Write down the sequence of stitching in advance on a piece of paper. As a beginner, you can easily forget the step and create chaos. The preferable sequence of stitching re-

Princes lines, Panels
Yokes
Pleats, Darts, and tucks
The pockets
Zippers and facings
Shoulder seams
The collars
Sleeves
Waistbands or the waist of the dresses
Hems
Buttonholes
The buttons

Clip and trim the seams

Seams play a vital role in adding charm to the product. If you want to make your seam look nice, it is a necessity. The body has curves and so is the pattern you choose to craft. To confirm the curves, the seams have to be trimmed and clipped.

Say bye to Loose thread and trim

Who likes the loose threads on garments? When you stitch or knit a cloth, you will be leaving lots of threads. Make sure to clip them all at the end of the session.

Hand Knitting

slip Knot- The first step in knitting is creating a slip knot. The knot serves the purpose of fastening the yarn to the needle so that the rest of the stitching can be done smoothly.

Casting On- It's a series of stitches to create the desired pattern. There are three methods- Single cast, Long Tail cast, and Knitted cast.

Single cast -

The single cast is basically for beginners and is the easiest style.

Long Tail cast-

A long-tail cast is commonly known as a double cast, creating a flexible and durable texture.

Knitted cast-

Knitted casting is known as a two-needle cast. It's a great method to cast two stitches out of one and excellent for beginners. Apart from this, you can add extra stitches in the middle of the row. In case you had issues in measuring the long tail cast, this strategy can serve as your elective as well.

Stitching methods-

Stitching with knit fabric

Purl stitch -It is the strategy of embedding the needle from the top of a loop and pulling a new loop up through the first stitch. It's nearly the same with Knit stitch, however, they vary with a few of the movements. A purl stitch simply looks just like the back of a knit stitch. Each push that a knitter purls will make a bumpy surface.

Knit stitch -Also known by the name Garter stitch. A Knit stitch is the process of pulling up yarn through an existing loop on a needle and pulling it through on the back.

Ribbing Stitch- This process involves pulling the fabric back and forth within the same row, adding flexibility, and bouncing feels to the cloth. Ribbing stitch is commonly used to make necks, hems, and cuffs of the sweaters. Bodycon dresses or figure-hugging dresses are made from ribbing stitch techniques.

Given below are some Knitting patterns that you can begin with. Grab your sewing and Knitting tools and start knitting.