21 June 2013

Elk Grove Knits




Ooooooooohhhhhhhh my goodness, have you SEEN the beautiful fabric collection that is Elk Grove Knits? Not only do they feature super cute designs - chevron, poppies, deer - in droolsome colourways, but these are KNITS, people! As a dressmaker, I do find it frustrating that the vast majority of gorgeous printed fabrics are medium weight cotton designed for quilting and other homewares. While I do sew some clothing in these fabrics (see my tips on sewing clothing with quilting cotton), it's soooo much nicer to have a choice of fabric types so you can get the drape, texture, stretch etc that you envisage for your project. And this fabric is super soft and snuggly. What's more, these are organic! Part of the reason I sew is out of consciousness of the impact of fast fashion on the environment, but I'm all too well aware that a lot of the processes involve in fabric production can have a detrimental effect too, as discussed here. So here's to more organic knits and other types of fabric.

The designer/manufacturer, Birch Fabrics, sent me some of the green elk fabric (slightly grassier colour than it looks in the images). While the sensible part of my brain is telling me to use it for pyjamas, I don't think I can resist making a dress. Something simple that will show off the print and that can be worn with a red necklace (yes). I'm thinking a batwing elasticated waist dress. Or possibly revisiting my 1970s Simplicity 7341 pattern. Any other ideas? What would you make with this fabric?

[Soundtrack: 'When My Baby Comes' by Grinderman]