Elliot Sweater in Organic Slub Jacquard Knit by Kealy

Hello Everyone, I hope you are all doing well. Kealy here from @voiceofacreative

Today I am here to talk to you about a beautiful organic knit fabric from Mind the Maker. I selected the Organic Slub Jacquard in Bottle Green for my make this time. This is a lovely soft knit fabric with great texture, if you are looking for a block colour but want some texture and detail then this is the perfect fabric. It has slub dashed lines and areas of stitching knitted throughout which I think creates a relaxed look fabric which is also warm, great for the current spring weather and as a light layer as we head into summer. It comes in 10 amazing colours so you would make a whole rainbow of garments with it.

This fabric is 100% cotton knit with no elastane so I knew it would be a little different to work with than the viscose and cotton jerseys I usually sew with. The main difference when working with this fabric was that it had less recovery that other knit fabrics, this means that when stretched it doesn’t bounce back as quickly. I was quite careful with my pattern choice, as I wanted to choose something which had a looser fit, something which wouldn’t need to bounce back each time I stretched it over my head.

I decided to make the ‘Elliot Sweater’ by Helens Closet, this is a loose boxy fit raglan sleeve t-shirt and sweater with a range of neck finishing options. This pattern is available in sizes 0-30, I made the size 12/14. I have made this pattern many times in several different knit fabrics and have loved every version, so thought it would be a good choice for this fabric. I went for the ¾ length sleeves with a straight hem without side slits.

I made 2 adjustments to the pattern, firstly to lower the neckline which meant adjusting the neckband. Secondly, I graded out on the hips, I want to make sure the fabric flowed easily on my lower half due to taking out the side slits.

This fabric worked well for this make but I did find the neckband a little tricky, this was because I over stretched the neckband whilst basting it to the neckline and it ended up being stretched out a little. I solved this by pressing with steam which flattened it out again. If I were to make it again in this fabric, I would use a matching ribbing for the neckband as I feel this would be easier. Lamazi Fabrics stocks the exact matching colour rib knit in Bottle Green. 

Two important things to remember when using this fabric.

• Finish your edges, this fabric does start to fray if the edges are left raw. I used an overlocker to sew this garment, but you can always use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to finish the edges.
• Pressing is your friend, after I sewed each seam, I pressed them. This is not something I always do but helped me not to stretch out the edges as well as reducing the slight wave in the seam from the overlocker.

I think this fabric would also work well for cardigans such as the Marlo Sweater by Trues Bias, The Bertha Cardigan by Tilly and the Buttons or The Blackwood Cardigan by Helens Closet.

I am looking forward to creating outfits with this sweater. I love the deep green colour and relaxed look, perfect for meeting people outdoors this spring.

Thanks so much for reading, see you again soon.

Kealy