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. :)