Making the Agnes sewing pattern? Let's talk fabric shopping!
Agnes is a close-fitting top, with in-built "negative ease", meaning that the finished top is actually smaller than your body measurements - so you need to sew it in stretchy knit fabric (as opposed to woven fabric or low-stretch knit fabric) to get a nice fit over your curves.
We recommend light- to medium-weight stretch knit fabrics, such as cotton jersey, viscose jersey or wool jersey, with at least 25% crosswise stretch. What does that mean? That means that if you stretch the fabric along the direction with the most amount of stretch, or along the grain that's at right angles to the finished edges, it should stretch at least 25% longer than its resting width. If you sign up to our online workshop, Learn to Sew Jersey Tops, you can watch a video in which I demonstrate exactly how to test fabric stretch. Two-way stretch is enough - the fabric doesn't have to stretch in all directions. If the fabric listing says it's jersey fabric and includes 5% elastane, spandex or Lycra, it's probably stretchy enough for Agnes.
One of the things I love the most about this top is its versatility. You can make it in a lightweight cotton jersey for Summer, a sweater knit for Winter, I've even made one in leotard fabric just because! I'll show you some of my own Agnes tops soon, but in the meantime Vanessa's been digging around the internet to bring you some suggestions for what to make your own Agnes tops in...
Please note that we haven't actually seen or handled most of these fabrics in person, so do order a swatch to check suitability before buying if you're not sure. Ooh and the prints in our little illustrations aren't to scale! For more information, the fabric requirements, supplies list and sizing chart are all listed on the Agnes sewing pattern page.
What fabric are you going to make your first Agnes top in? We can't wait to see... Happy fabric shopping!
PS. Don't forget the early bird special fee for the Learn to Sew Jersey Tops online workshop finishes this coming Monday 8 June 2015 at 9am GMT!