Beyond the Basic Tee

The t-shirt is a summer wardrobe staple and a great way to start sewing with knits. But the t-shirt is just one type of garment—there are so many things you can make with knit fabrics, and so many different kinds of knits out there! Today we’re stepping away from the t-shirt drawer to explore even more ways to start sewing with knits—think dresses, sweaters, tops, and more.

If you’ve ever wished that t-shirts were not quite so whisper-thin, you’ll want to check out our collection of Bamboo French Terry! With a smooth, jersey-knit face and a looped French Terry back, this fabric is as versatile as your favorite t-shirt knits, just a little more substantial. It’s a fantastic choice for a Max Tee—super soft, stretchy, and wonderfully opaque. We love these knits for dresses, too! Pair them with patterns like the Appleton Wrap Dress and the Pembroke Dress for summertime and beyond.

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One of our favorite things about designer deadstock fabric is the opportunity to use fashion fabrics to make whatever we want! Cotton Pique Knit usually takes the shape of polo shirts, but there’s truly no limit to what you could make with this delightfully textured knit. We’re loving these summer colors for casual pieces like the Verity Knit Top, the Arlo Track Jacket, and of course the polo-shirt-inspired Jocelyne Dress!

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While it’s definitely not sweater season, it’s never too soon to start working on your new favorite sweater! These Speckle Sweater Knits flew off the shelves last year, so when our supplier offered them again, we couldn’t resist! This lovely wool/silk/polyester blend is soft and squishy with a nice stretch and lots of colorful neps—it’s the perfect fabric for beginner-friendly sweater patterns like the Marlo Sweater, the Pearl Cardigan, and the Toaster Sweater!

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New to sewing with knits? No serger? Not a problem! Most sewing machines have an overlock or elastic overlock stitch that will make stitching knit fabrics a breeze. Using a rotary cutter will help you cut knit fabrics accurately. You can sew knits with your favorite all-purpose thread. To ensure successful sewing, you’ll want to invest in some ball-point sewing machine needles specially designed for knit fabrics. And if you’d prefer to use a serger, we’ve got the needles and threads for that, too! For one-stop shopping, we also offer a Getting Started with Knits Notions Kit that includes our favorite essentials:

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Knits have a way of becoming the garments you reach for again and again. They’re comfortable, easy to wear, and wonderfully versatile, whether you’re sewing an everyday tee, a cozy cardigan, a relaxed dress, or your new favorite sweatshirt. Once you get comfortable sewing with knits, a whole new world of projects opens up, and it’s hard not to keep coming back for more.

The best way to build confidence is simply to start. Choose a fabric that feels good in your hands, pair it with a pattern you can’t wait to wear, and don’t worry about making everything perfect. Every project teaches you something new, and before long you’ll be wondering why you ever found knit fabrics intimidating in the first place.

We hope these beautiful knits inspire you to stretch your sewing skills and create something you’ll love wearing for years to come. From colorful jerseys and French terry to textured piqués and cozy sweater knits, we’ve gathered a wonderful collection to help you get started. We can’t wait to see what you make! 

Thank you and Happy Sewing! 🧵