And the sewing continues… and is coming more naturally. I am enjoying getting back into it, using simple patterns but getting different looks with plain and patterned fabrics. And using up scraps to make accessories can really change a garment.
A prickly business, sewing with metal fabrics…
On each occasion I have sewn with fabric containing metal, I seem to have ended up with prickly garments. It does not seem to matter how I have finished seams, those little metal fibres seem to escape and the sewing of them often resulted in sore fingers. Wearing the garment over several other layers solves the problem though, and with one lightweight tunic I knitted a collar onto the neck by picking up stitches with a fine crochet hook and some merino possum 4 ply. This made it into more of a winter garment. I enjoyed combining knitting and sewing, something I would like to explore more.
Interestingly enough habu stainless steel yarns do not have this prickly problem and I love knitting with them. I have just finished a scarf using two strands of silk stainless steel. The way it keeps its shape is wonderful.
This has been the week of the red merino, not yarn but fabric. Sewing did not come easily after months of intensive knitting. Having to swap knitting needles for sewing machines, that often seemed to have a mind of their own, took a bit of getting used to.
In New Zealand we have access to some beautiful fine merino knit fabric but I find it hard at the moment to access good quality woven. So merino knit is my go-to fabric and wardrobe staple.
Having several metres of merino, I set about making as many things from it as I could. I like to make simple garments which can be layered easily. The red merino I had was tubular and after making a tunic and wrap cardigan, I made the remainder into a cowl.
