HI! We use cookies which are necessary to our site and to improve your experience. By clicking the consent button, you agree to allow the site to use, collect and/or store cookies.
I accept

sewhere.com

by Zede's Sewing Studio

  • About
  • Classes
  • Podcasts
    • Sewing Out Loud
    • The Self Sewn Wardrobe with Mallory Donohue
  • Blog
  • Zine
  • Login
  • Patterns
  • Shop

Guest Post: Loni’s Knit-Backed Easy T

May 22, 2017 Loni Jakubowski 2 Comments

Hey SewHere Fans, it’s Loni. Yes, that Loni. Here for a hostile takeover….NO, NO. Just visiting!

Loni's

While the team is busy working on a few new drafting courses, Mallory asked if I might share some details on making an Easy T with a knit back. I’ve played with this approach because it adds some extra ease and comfort to a top that’s designed to be made with all woven fabric. But also, because I like breaking the ‘rules’.   Though, as it turns out this simple variation is rumored to be Zede, Queen Sewing Boss Lady herself, -approved!

Got Your Pattern?  Get Hacking!

Once you’ve got a good-fitting basic Easy T drafted, you can sub in just about any light to medium weight knit for the back. I’m thinking many sweater knits would also work. This opens up SEW MANY (pun intended, of course) new design possibilities. For the 2 tops shown here, I used double brushed poly spandex (DBP) for the backs.

I made no adjustments to my pattern pieces, cutting one front on the fold from a woven and one back on the fold from a knit for each. Construction follows the same basic steps as outlined in the Easy T course. One departure I like to take, though, is after joining the front and back at the shoulders, I serge the sleeve edge while it’s flat and then proceed to close the side seam.

IMG_20170510_162622

Neckline Finishing Options

Now, you can finish the neckline in the same manner as described in the course, or add a new element in the form of a neckline binding.

I happened to have a scrap of jersey bias in the perfect magenta to accent my first top so I used knit for the binding, but you could just as easily use a woven cut on the bias. The procedure for this style of binding is much the same as French bias binding. A narrow binding (1- 1.5 inches wide) folded wrong sides together, is stitched to the right side of the neckline, then turned inward and edge stitched down. A more detailed discussion is found here.

Love that pop of color on the inside.

20170505_110403
Contrasting magenta binding on the inside of my Easy T

Alternatively, the binding will show on the outside of the neckline if you attach it first to the wrong side, which is what I did for my floral and stripe version. Since DBP has 4 way stretch, I was able to cut my binding perpendicular to the grain of the stripes and it adds a bit of visual interest.

20170508_084452
Binding applied to wrong side first.
20170508_090340

DBP binding topstitched on the right side.

Simple Change, Big Payoff

There you have it. It’s that simple! And as I said before, by mixing wovens with knits, not only are you more comfortable, but suddenly the whole other half of your stash is available to join in on the Easy T fun.

20170510_093806 1

Still need to take the course? Sign up here.

And hussle them sewing buns of yours, because I hear the price is going up on June 15th, 2017.

Uncategorized

SewHere Blog

  • Floozy Doozy DIY Underwear Strap On Hack
  • FFTCM: Hope’s Nintentdo Outfit is Ready for Any Mode of Learning
  • Lauren’s Self Drafted Caftan from the Easy T Class
  • How to Cut Netting or Tulle with a Rotary Cutter | How to See Netting and Tulle While Cutting *VIDEO*
  • SewHere + Soul Seat: How the Soul Seat Helps Me Create Content Pain-Free

Comments

  1. Jacque says

    September 10, 2017 at 6:01 PM

    Thanks to you, Miss Loni, I made a knit backed Easy T last night. Made a small adjustment to my pattern to add longer sleeves and then discovered I didn’t have enough fabric in my remnant for both front and back. Love to use up remnants but I’m not such a good planner. : )
    Enter – knit back. I LOVE my new Easy T! Thanks for the inspiration and write up!!

    Reply
  2. Deborah Murphy says

    June 12, 2018 at 4:25 PM

    LOVE IT!!! Feeling VERY inspired right now. Thanks!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hello Stitcher!

zede-mal-circle

Welcome to SewHere.com where Zede and Mallory share sewing wisdom and witticisms with their blog, podcasts and videos.

Sewcialize With Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Join SewHere.com




Search

© 2021 sewhere.com · Rainmaker Platform

Privacy Policy