I’ve got a great new project to share with you today! This Girls Knit Tunic Tutorial is perfect to pair with leggings and you can customize the length so it is perfect for school.
Looking for more free patterns? Be sure to check out my free patterns and tutorials page here.)
Every time I look at this adorable striped knit fabric, the colors make me think of rainbow sherbet. (I bought it here.)
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I’ve been throwing around different ideas for the fabric, but wanted to make sure whatever I made could be worn to school. Once I made this knit dress for myself, I knew a tunic top in this style was perfect for the fabric. (The tunic top is practically the same as the dress, just w/out the neck and sleeve binding.)
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Even though this tunic top/dress is made with knit fabric, it is super simple to put together. You can sew successfully on knit fabric without a serger. All you really need is a ball point needle. In fact, I almost prefer sewing on knits since so much time is saved by not having to finish the seams. (and I definitely prefer wearing knits…)
Here are few helpful tips for sewing on knit fabrics:
- Always use a ball point needle. A ball point needle has a rounded tip and allows the needle to move in between the thread fibers instead of piercing the thread fibers. (Which will cause holes in the fabric.)
- When sewing seams that need to stretch, be sure to use either a narrow zig zag stitch- set at a medium stitch length, or many newer machines have additional stretch stitches you can use. (Refer to your manual to find out which ones your machine does.)
- It helps to loosen the needle thread tension just a tiny bit. (experiment on scraps til you find what works best on your fabric.)
- For seams that don’t need to stretch (like side seams) a regular straight stitch is fine. To keep the fabric from stretching when you sew, you can try a slightly longer stitch length and loosening the needle thread tension just a tiny bit. ALWAYS do a few practice stitches on the fabric you will be using and then make any adjustments needed.
- If you are working on a fabric that keeps curling, use fabric starch and your iron to flatten out the fabric. This technique is helpful on all knits as the starch makes it less stretchy and moves through the machine smoother.
- For hemming on knits, you have a few choices: 1. Leave the edge raw. This looks fine on casual garments. 2. Add a bound edge. (You can see examples of how adding a bound hem works here and here.) 3. Use a walking foot and hem the edge with either a zig zag or other stretch stitch or using a twin needle. (The walking foot helps feed the material through the machine with less stretching.)
- Remember to try a slightly longer stitch length and to loosen the needle thread tension just a tiny bit!
- If your fabric is getting sucked into the machine or is still stretching, you can place a piece of thin tissue paper between the fabric and bottom feed dogs. After you are done sewing, you can gently tear the tissue paper away.
For this particular project, I folded the sleeve, neck and bottom edge over and used my twin needle to sew the hem. I love using a twin needle and do suggest it for hemming knits. It creates a very stretchy stitch and looks most like a professional cover-stitched hem.
Many new machines come with a twin needle, but you need to make sure it is a ball point twin needle before using it on your knit projects. If the needle is not labeled, I would assume it is NOT ball point, since these can be more expensive.
If you don’t have twin needle, here is a link to the one I use: Schmetz Stretch Twin Needles – Size 4.0 75/11. You can order it today and be using it by the end of the week!
I have left many a sleeve edge or bottom hem raw and just allowed the edges to curl up. Other times I have added binding to the to the sleeve or bottom hem if I felt the item needed “dressing up”. So choose whichever method works best for you.
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Visit page 2 for the full tutorial and sewing instructions.
spot on white pants says
I will be making some grown up versions to go with some skirts I am making. Seems like they could easily be taken in as I lose weight.
Natalia Lynn says
I LOVE this! I might make a grown up version!! 🙂
Doublej2 says
i'm wanting to make some tunics for my daughter for fall, this is perfect!! i'm visiting from your link on sugar bee crafts. i just started a blog and this is fun!! http://www.mysewsweetlife.blogspot.com
Cheryl @ Sew Can Do says
100% agree on that sweet fabric and a fab tutorial to go with it! Pinned it already – Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do:)
Nicole says
Wow, great tutorial! Thanks for all the tips about sewing knits. Your daughter is adorable and so is that fabric choice. I love the sun in your photos.
Stacey says
THat is so sweet! Your daughter is so pretty.
She must be the best dresser girl in town!
Thanks for linking up this week!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Tara says
Ok, so when do I get some lessons. I love everything you link up each week! You amaze me! Thanks again for linking another fabulous outfit! Anytime you want to come by for a guest post, you are welcome!!! Have a great week! Tara @Trendy Treehouse
Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer says
I always enjoy your sewing projects, and this is another adorable top, as well as your daughter. Great tips on sewing knits! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – you helped make the party a success!
Jenn says
This turned out really cute. I love your pics – she is beautiful!
freckled laundry says
Adorable top (and fabric and daughter). I'd like a few grown up ones too! Thanks for the knit tips. I Christian swear every time I sew knit! Thanks for sharing with air your laundry friday, Jamie! xo Jami
Holly Lefevre says
SWEET! My daughter loves tunics like this. So making one!
Racheland Donna says
Really like the top and fabric. Great tips on the way into knit season. I should really get some pattern weights, random question are you just using big washers?
Rachel
http://www.onceuponasewingmachine.com
Lindsay @ 402CenterStreet.blogspot.com says
This is very cute! My daughter would LOVE that fabric as well! I'm tempted to sew one up tonight! 😉 Thanks for sharing the tutorial.
Kilee Nickels says
This turned out soo cute! I have boys so I won't be sewing this tunic anytime soon, but the tips on sewing knit are super helpful! I'll be pinning this for later. Thanks!
I'd love for you to link up to WKWW-What Kids Wore Wednesday Link Party this week at ONE little MOMMA!
http://onelittlemomm.blogspot.com/2012/09/wkww-what-kids-wore-wednesday.html?utm_source=bp_recent&utm-medium=gadget&utm_campaign=bp_recent
Kilee
http://www.onelittlemomma.com
The Copes says
AWESOME tips for sewing knits!! THANK YOU!! I keep screwing up my pieces — I've been using the double needle and just assumed it was ball point because they're not often used for other fabrics. So thank you, thank you, thank you!
Jenni says
Cute top and lots of great advice for sewing with knits! Thanks for sharing.
Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom says
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