kcwc guest post: kelli from true bias

April 20th, 2012

I only discovered Kelli’s blog, true bias,  a little while ago, but once I did I was hooked. She sews beautiful garments for herself–we’re talking handmade blazers here, people. But every so often some beautiful little clothes she made for her daughter would pop up on her blog. So I asked if she would be interested in kcwc. Lucky for us she said yes. I mean just look at what she did with a tee shirt pattern! 

kelli from true bias

I was really excited to be part of kcwc this year.  I am a bit of a selfish seamstress and love sewing for myself, so it’s good when I get a bit of an extra push to sew for my daughter.  I just got my first serger about a week ago so sewing up some knits with Rae’s Flashback Skinny Tee pattern was a perfect way to break it in.

I used the skinny tee pattern to make two boyfriend cardigans for my 2 year old daughter.  It was a really easy conversion.  I lengthened the front and back pieces by about an inch.  Otherwise the back and sleeves were left exactly the same.  I then cut the center front of the front piece and cut out a deep v at the neckline.  I added a 2 inch wide band to the bottom of the cardigan and a 1 inch band all the way from the hem, around the neckline, and back down again to the hem.  I added a few button holes and cute buttons, a little edge stitching and there you have it, a boyfriend cardigan to get us through chilly spring days.

edit to add- I asked Kristin how she sewed buttonholes on knit fabric without it turning out a disaster (like when I do it). Here’s what she said:  I found that if I put a bit of interfacing on the backside the buttonhole went much better.  Then you can just cut around the buttonhole to get rid of the excess.

I hope you will try some too.  It took me about 4 hours start to finish to make both of them on my serger.  I am super happy with the outcome.  Can’t wait to be inspired by all of you next week.  I will be sewing along as well.

12 Responses to kcwc guest post: kelli from true bias

  1. Kelli says:

    thanks so much! this is very exciting.

  2. Michelle says:

    Hi so love this blog. try waxed lunch paper under buttonholes , it works great and rips away cleanly :)

  3. Kristin says:

    Very cute! Wondering where your guest posters are finding the great knits? My local shops don’t seem to carry very much.

  4. kristin says:

    I recently found Kelli’s blog too, and I love it! So awesome that you turned the pattern into a cardigan – I’ll need to try that. :)

  5. anna says:

    oh how fun! a new (to me) blog to add to my reader. :) i absolutely love these cardigans, so sweet. I want one for me now!

  6. Heather says:

    Love this! I am going to make one too.

  7. Jill says:

    That is awesome. I would have never thought to use that pattern to make a cardigan! Can’t wait to try it next week. :)

  8. Cherie says:

    Super cute! What a brilliant idea!

  9. Brilliant idea Kelli!

  10. Vanessa says:

    Those are absolutely adorable! Just got this pattern and need to keep this in mind. Thanks :)

  11. Anshu says:

    Wow! what a great spin on flashback tee. The cardigan’s look so cool.

  12. Emily says:

    These are darling! I want some for myself. :)