The Ultimate Guide to Sewing Knit Fabrics (DVD + Streaming)

Become an expert in sewing knits alongside pattern designer Linda Lee. Learn to select the ideal knits for all of your projects. Choose the right needles, threads and machine feet for easier, better sewing. Achieve dreamy results with delicate sheer and open-weave fabrics. Master tissue knits to sew light layers or lingerie like a pro. Sew medium-weight knits that offer excellent structure for shirts, dresses and pants. Get the best tips for working with double knits to transform them into elegant dresses and suits. Make heavy knits work for you to tackle winter in style. Conquer chic novelty knits for one-of-a-kind garments. Plus, upgrade your knit garments with ready-to-wear details: flawless elastic waistbands, neck bindings and set-in sleeves. Get tips for sewing knits of any variety, and achieve rewarding results every time!

NOTE: If you’d like to purchase only the DVD for this class, you may do so through this link. (Please note, any class PDF materials are not on the DVD itself. You must have streaming access to download those materials associated with the class.)

Introduction (2:26)
Meet your instructor, designer and author Linda Lee, as she introduces you to many of the techniques you’ll explore in this class and offers tips on how to maximize your learning experience

Knit Fabrics & Techniques (16:34)
Discover the different properties of knit fabrics and delve into which ones are best for which projects. Learn how to measure for stretch and cut knit fabric, and gather Linda’s tips for adding stability with interfacing. Finally, explore the relationship between fabric type, thread type and needle choice and determine which ones are best for your project.

Sheer & Open-Weave Knits (13:36)
Learn about the unique challenges of working with sheer knits such as mesh, crochet and other open-weave fabrics. Linda offers tips and techniques for marking and seaming these slinky and delicate fabrics. Then, see how to use fusible web tape to keep edges from rolling up as you create beautiful hems with your home sewing machine or a serger.

Lightweight Knits (17:08)
Explore tissue-weight knits, including viscose, polyester, bamboo and wool, which are perfect for making light layers and even lingerie. Then, learn the three best way to seam these knits to ensure stability and strength. Finally, Linda shares tips for using a double needle and teaches a variety of ways to hem your fabric: from using a cover stitch to adding a feminine lettuce-edge finish

Medium-Weight Knit Fabrics (13:26)
See how the mid-weight knits you already know and love offer enough structure for shirts, dresses and even pants! Learn how to make professional ready-to-wear seams as you combine a home machine and a serger and how to bulk up your seams for these harder-working garments. While you can use the same hems you might use on lightweight knits, Linda shows you how to maximize stretch with the help of fusible knit hem tape. Finally, create perfectly flat buttonholes using your home machine.

Garment Details in Knit Fabrics (38:11)
Add ready-to-wear details that will make your knit fabrics look like they came from a department store! Learn how to measure for, and ease in, an elastic waistband as Linda takes you through the calculations you need to create bands that stay in place. Then, make professional-looking neck bindings and sleeve trims as Linda shows you how to add a double band for a great design detail. Finally, tackle set-in sleeves in the round as Linda shows you how this tricky art translates from woven fabric into knit.

Working With Double Knits (17:57)
Create beautiful pants and suits that have gorgeous drape as Linda shares her secrets for working with structured double-knit fabrics. Discover the best methods for seaming and hemming and then see how to create flawless collars with sharp points and beautiful shaping. Gather Linda’s tips for grading seams with this lofty knit and sew an elastic waistband right on your garment, no casing required!

Techniques for Heavy Knit Fabrics (13:19)
Add texture and warmth to your wardrobe as Linda previews all of the wonderful heavyweight knits available, including French terry, bouclé, fleece and sweater knits. Then, see how easy it is to add a contrasting, single-fold binding for a professional finish. Then, add fun and function to your wardrobe as Linda shows you how to add an exposed zipper, sewn right on the front of your garment!

Techniques for Novelty Knits (11:21)
Always know what to do with specialty knits! Learn how to set in a rib-knit cuff as Linda shows you how quickly this design accent comes together. Pin your two pieces together and get Linda’s advice on what type of seam to use to create banded cuffs or even waistbands! Then, discover how easy it is to felt wool using your home washing machine to create structured, textured fabric, perfect for making jackets. Linda shows you how to create an overlapping, faux flat-felled seam that will never come apart.

Linda Lee

Linda Lee has loved fabric for as long as she can remember, so it’s no surprise that she has spent her career working in fashion and interior design. She is the owner of The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection, where adventurous sewers can find patterns for distinctive garments created with innovative techniques. She has written numerous sewing books and contributed articles to magazines including Threads, Sew News and Stitch. She has also been the sewing expert for segments on the HGTV programs “Today at Home” and “Our Home.”

How will I receive my DVD class?
Your DVD will be shipped in the mail using the address you provide at checkout. Your purchase also includes access to a streaming version of the class and downloadable PDF class materials. After your purchase, you can find your streaming class and your PDF class materials by logging into your Craftsy account using the user name and password you established.

How do I access the companion materials for my DVD class?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” area, select the “Classes” content. On this page, you’ll see all classes you’ve purchased from Craftsy. Simply select the desired class from your content list, and you’ll be presented with your selected class page. From the class page you can easily view, download or print the companion class materials, which are in the “Bonus Materials” tab on the class page. You can log in any time, and download or print the companion materials as many times as you like. Companion class materials are not shipped in the mail with your DVD, and must be accessed on Craftsy.com.

How do I stream my class on Craftsy.com?
Come to Craftsy.com and log into your account using the username and password you set up when establishing your Craftsy account or purchasing your DVD. In your “My Account” content, select the desired class. Stream the video on-demand from the class page any time you like; your viewing access is unlimited. You can stream your class from any computer, tablet or mobile device with Internet access.

Do I have to purchase a Craftsy Membership to get my class?
No, you do not. Every DVD purchased on Craftsy.com includes both the physical DVD in the mail and unlimited on-demand streaming access at Craftsy.com. These benefits are yours with or without a Craftsy membership.

Are DVDs included in a Craftsy Membership?
No, they are not. DVDs can only be purchased on an individual basis and are not included in Craftsy memberships. For non-members, DVDs are a flexible way to purchase only the classes you love best. For members, DVDs are a great choice to build an at-home library you can keep forever and enjoy any time, with or without Internet access.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship most physical products, including DVDs, to several International destinations. In addition to the USA and Canada, we ship to Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and most Western European countries. If you live outside these countries, you can still purchase digital items including memberships, individual streaming classes, and pattern downloads.

Do your DVDs work on international players?
Yes, our DVDs should be compatible with any DVD player in use today. All our videos have been created with all current Region Codes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8). If you have trouble viewing a DVD purchased from Craftsy.com, please contact Customer Service.

What is your return policy?
We want to be sure you’re satisfied. If you have trouble playing your DVD, if the content is not correctly presented on the DVD, or you are dissatisfied with the content of your class, we will work with you. Contact Craftsy customer service via email or phone. Upon your request, and upon your return of the DVD to us, we will refund your purchase price or send you another DVD to replace a damaged or incorrect DVD, whichever is your preference. If you do receive a full refund, your streaming video class will also be removed from your Craftsy account, so on-demand video access will no longer be available to you.