Hello everyone! We had so much fun last summer when we participated in Nancy's 30-minute Doll Clothes blog tour, that we were absolutely thrilled when she invited us to be a part of Sewing With Knits. To be perfectly honest with you, knits have always scared (some of) us just a tiny bit. It's funny that the thing we love wearing most is also the most intimidating to sew! But Nancy has officially changed that. Her book, Sew Knits With Confidence, is a must-have for every seamstress! (Stick with us, we'll be giving away a copy in a little bit...)
So without further ado, here is our own interpretation of the Santa Fe Dress!
We opted to make dress view 1, but added 16" to the length in order to get a good maxi.
We LOVE this pattern. The clever neckline facing makes wearing a camisole unnecessary, and the bodice goes together in a flash. Best of all, it really looks store-bought when finished! We chose a novelty red pique knit from JoAnn's to make our Santa Fe dress. And then we got the idea to draw up one side in a big rose-like knot to add a fun touch!
Now are you ready to hear about the giveaway? One winner will receive a copy of Nancy's book, Sew Knits with Confidence, along with the four beautiful patterns we showed you earlier this week!!! Just leave a comment on this post that includes your name and email address, and tell us how you feel about knit. We will choose our winner on Wednesday (April 24th) and ship out your box of goodies the next day!
Have fun!
P.S. Don't forget to take a look at the rest of the tour!
April 21, 2013 Stitchin' Jenny's
April 22, 2013 Amy Lou Who Sews
April 23, 2013 Sew News
April 24, 2013 Designs in Machine Embroidery
April 25, 2013 Riley Blake Designs
April 26, 2013 The Sewing Loft Blog
April 27, 2013 Nancy Zieman the Blog
HELLO! BOOK LOOKS SO NEAT! FOR A FEW YEARS I DID NOT SEW ANY KNITS,NOW I FIND THEM A NEW CHALLENGE!
THANKS FOR SHARING!
Posted by: Linda | April 20, 2013 at 09:19 AM
I love to sew with knits and would love to have this book! Thanks for the chance!
Posted by: Lynn Andersen | April 20, 2013 at 09:36 AM
You all know how much I love knits! This might just inspire me to get in front of the sewing machine. LOVE
Posted by: Nanny | April 20, 2013 at 09:41 AM
Just started going back tosewing with knits and theres a huge inspiration on tv and facebook. I really want this book! I love how she showed you can hem with the twin needle for a professional looking finish.and Im dying to see the other valuable secrets in the book!
Posted by: Mary Hutson | April 20, 2013 at 09:45 AM
What a great book. Just love the red dress. Very pretty and the neckline looks amazing.
Posted by: Delene | April 20, 2013 at 09:46 AM
I just love your dress -- red is my favorite color. Thanks for sharing and thanks for a great giveaway!
Posted by: Toni Leli | April 20, 2013 at 09:48 AM
So beautiful! I love it! :)
Posted by: Kailey B | April 20, 2013 at 09:58 AM
I like knits for one not-so-glamorous reason. I have fibromyalgia and I can wear knits with finished soft seams and nothing hard to rub against my skin on the more painful days. Nancy also makes things so much clearer and I enjoy her designs.
Posted by: Elizabeth P | April 20, 2013 at 10:09 AM
I love knit. Jeanine thecraftingfiend@gmail.com
Posted by: Jeanine | April 20, 2013 at 10:29 AM
Nice patterns Nancy has come out with. I'd love a copy of the book and patterns!
Posted by: Maureen Tayse | April 20, 2013 at 10:29 AM
I've been scared of sewing with knit...but I want more maxi skirts just enough to really want to learn more. This is so timely for me. I'd really, really like to win :).
Bobi
westernwarmth *at* gmail.com
Posted by: Western Warmth | April 20, 2013 at 11:02 AM
What an awesome dress for all ages.
Posted by: Lynn | April 20, 2013 at 11:11 AM
Hello ladies! Such a pretty dress. Hope you are having a lovely weekend. It is nicer here today but snow expected on Monday (again). xoxo
Posted by: Melissa Stramel | April 20, 2013 at 11:26 AM
I love to sew with knits. I think it is something that you continue to learn with each piece that you make. So excited about this book and patterns. The dress you made is a favorite!
Posted by: Tiffany H. | April 20, 2013 at 11:29 AM
I've got to start looking for more knits locally. They really are easy-peasy. And Nancy's new patterns are beautiful! Would love to win them.
Posted by: Frances | April 20, 2013 at 11:31 AM
I LOVE knits. They're so comfortable and they hide little mistakes. :-) joannakay4(a)gmail.com
Posted by: Joanna | April 20, 2013 at 11:49 AM
I have been afraid to sew knits as well... it seems so intimidating. This book sounds awesome! I am Anna and my e-mail is: annabananafive (at) gmail dot come
Posted by: Anna | April 20, 2013 at 12:07 PM
Oh you are toooooo cute! Love this interpretation of the pattern. Seriously, seriously, adorable! And the bottom drawn, up. Brilliant. Thank you for hosting a giveaway too! kirsten (at) lovespunstudio (dot) com
Posted by: Kirsten @ Lovespun Studio | April 20, 2013 at 12:24 PM
Hi! This giveaway looks great. As a beginning seamstress, my goal has been to broaden my sewing skills - and knits would be a fabulous (yet I admit a little intimidating!) skill to try! What a blessing it would be to learn how to sew knits! Because my main goal in sewing is to bless others!
My email is natalie.tederoff@shaw.ca
PS > please check out my website at www.lifeinthefastlane.doodlekit.com as I am having a giveaway as well for a beautiful duct tape wallet!
Posted by: Natalie @ Life In The Fast Lane Blog | April 20, 2013 at 01:04 PM
I just love her videos on how to sew knits - I'd love to make the dress.
Posted by: carole | April 20, 2013 at 01:04 PM
I love the idea to lengthen it!
Posted by: Donna N. | April 20, 2013 at 01:20 PM
I love knits and love working with them! Using a serger takes away some of the fear. I have a knit border print that I think would be beautiful in this pattern! Can't wait!
Love the knot...it gives you dress a romantic feel!
Posted by: Carrie C. | April 20, 2013 at 01:41 PM
Beautiful interpretation, really hope I can give this pattern a try--have knits in my 'stash' but remain hesitant to use! Sounds like Nancy's book can help me get past that!
Posted by: Connie D. | April 20, 2013 at 01:44 PM
I love the red knit dress. Am learning so much from theses blogs. You can contact me at eyejs at hotmail dot com. Thanks see much.
Posted by: Eyejs | April 20, 2013 at 02:11 PM
Your red dress looks awesome! I love it with the jacket and boots! I like knits but usually sew with wovens! Thanks for the chance! sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com
Posted by: Henria O. | April 20, 2013 at 03:27 PM
I want to learn to sew with knit! That Dress Is So Pretty!
Posted by: L.K. | April 20, 2013 at 03:59 PM
I so love wearing knits, but they do scare me a bit to sew with them. Knit skirts I can handle, but anything with a neckline gives me the shakes. It sounds like this book will give me the confidence I need to sew with knits regularly.
Myra~
Posted by: Myra | April 20, 2013 at 04:19 PM
Love the new red dress. I just started sewing with knits. Thanks for the wonderful chance to win this book.
Posted by: Deborah S. | April 20, 2013 at 05:52 PM
i like the book and the red dress looks great! I haven't sewn much with knits but would be inclined to try with those patterns. Thanks!
Posted by: Jeannette | April 20, 2013 at 06:12 PM
I prefer knit clothes, but sometimes I become intimidated sewing knits.
Posted by: Kerry | April 20, 2013 at 06:26 PM
I love wearing knits and have sewn with them a little bit. This dress is awesome. Great choice on the color! I would love to sew one for myself!
Posted by: Sara | April 20, 2013 at 07:12 PM
I'm a bit intimidated by knits, but would love to overcome that!
Posted by: Gertrude | April 20, 2013 at 08:09 PM
Love it! I can't wait to get my hand on this book!
Posted by: Erin Twirl | April 20, 2013 at 09:13 PM
Wow - great idea to add the length. I think it makes the dress look terrific! Nancy has been inspiring me since I started buying notions from her catalog many years ago. Her books are wonderful. I'm sure this one is no exception - it would be marvvy to win it!
Posted by: Nancy L Starr | April 20, 2013 at 09:36 PM
Great Dress. I can hardly wait to see the book and try the patterns.
Posted by: Janice Beitz | April 20, 2013 at 10:11 PM
Great fabric choice! The color is dramatic. Have enjoyed visiting your site through the blog tour! Love giveaways!
Posted by: Marsha McCaulla | April 21, 2013 at 05:17 AM
I would love to sew more knits for myself--love Nancy's new patterns! LynnP lynnpoulin at gmail dot com
Posted by: Lynn Poulin | April 21, 2013 at 05:27 AM
I haven't sewed with knits much but I love wearing them. This pattern looks so cute.
Posted by: Tricia Waitkus | April 21, 2013 at 07:40 AM
Have yet to sew with knits though I would really like to since I love to wear knits a lot. This book will surely help to give that boost to take on the adventure of sewing with knits. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Posted by: Chloe | April 21, 2013 at 08:11 AM
Have recently rediscovered knits, and they are so much easier than they used to be. Of course, today's machines help tremendously.
Posted by: Ellen Sherman | April 21, 2013 at 08:37 AM
I feel semi confident with knits, but defintiely need more practice. I LOVE the red dress. What do you think, do you think it could be worn easily to nurse a baby in? Does the top part pull down easily? Thanks for the chance to win!
justinsgirl 06 at gmail dot com
Posted by: JessicaC | April 21, 2013 at 09:34 AM
I love to sew with knits and I love Nancy's books. This is a win-win for anyone who is selected. :) Thanks for the opportunity.
Posted by: LindaC in AZ | April 21, 2013 at 09:48 AM
My girls just love knits and your choice is just right for them - knit - trendy - maxi AND one of them adores red!! Thank you for showing them exactly what I wanted them to see.
Posted by: Colleen Bell | April 21, 2013 at 11:14 AM
What a clever idea to lengthen the dress! That gives it a completely different look.
Posted by: Judy Nolan | April 21, 2013 at 12:55 PM
I've never sewn with knits, but it's something that I would love to do.
Hannah
crookedcreekfarm.hannah@gmail.com
Posted by: Hannah | April 21, 2013 at 01:49 PM
Knits have come a long way in the past decade or so. The pattern you used gives us many opportunities to individualize it to make it our own.
Posted by: Birdie | April 21, 2013 at 01:50 PM
Just lovely! I love the bodice on this pattern. I would love to have the book and patterns as knits have not been my go to fabric. :)
Posted by: jbsews | April 21, 2013 at 03:05 PM
I LOVE sewing with knits! I don't think they are as difficult as some sewists have been led to believe, and I'm so glad that Nancy has put out a book and some patterns that will encourage people to give them a try. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Posted by: PoldaPop | April 21, 2013 at 04:23 PM
So nice to stop by to see your rendering of the great patterns by Nancy! Great work!
Posted by: Denise Z. G. | April 21, 2013 at 08:40 PM
I love sewing and wearing knits. Your Santa Fe dress is gorgeous! Definitely a pattern I would love to own. Thank you!
Posted by: mama lusco | April 21, 2013 at 09:27 PM