Sunday, August 05, 2012

Dodgy dye job cardigan.


I have had Kwik Sew 2759 for a long time, ever since I saw Gigi review it on Pattern review (oh look, that was back in 2001). I made it a few times but I think I have only made it once since I had a coverstitch machine.  I had never come across a tutorial that addresses how to start off on the coverstitching and get a nice finish that doesn't ravel, so I had filed making cardigans in the  it's-all-too-hard-for-me-to-wrap-my-brain-around basket and not given them much thought. Then one day it occured to me that I could hem it before applying the band. Yay, I can make cardigans again.

 The fabric is a silk metallic knit that I did a dodgy dye job with. I used food colouring and vinegar. I actually have procion dyes that I could use with vinegar, but I decided to go the food colouring route so I could just shove it in the oven and not buy a special pot to dye. I was really very slapdash. Wet the fabric, added vinegar and colouring to a bucket with hot water, swish around, pour into an oven tray and keep warm in the oven. Acid dyes need heat, unlike the dyes I am used to doing with  regular tap water.
 When I trying it on, I remembered why Kwik Sew was my favourite pattern company years ago. The fit is not skin type. Pattern piece match correctly. Instructions are super clear. I actually adjusted the length and made it 5 cm longer, but I am not sure if it is the right decision. It feels a little too long now.

This is the photo to show that it does sparkle - a lot. I am going to wear it to a wedding later this month I think.

Here I have shortened it back to about the length drafted by Kwik Sew. I am thinking it might be slightly less dowdy at this length. I am also thinking of tracing the next size down at the shoulders, as it seems a little too wide there.

Can't wait to sew a couple more. I love cardigans.

9 comments:

  1. Great cardi. Wish I had a cover stitch...

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    1. I got mine for a great price from ebay years ago and have never had any trouble with it.

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  2. Looks great! I love the colour, material and the pattern. I haven't had a go at making cardigans yet which is kind of silly seeing as I wear them a lot to work! I've never heard of dying fabric with food dye in the oven, do you have any links or more info on it? It sounds like fun!

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    1. I did not follow any particular tute or anything. Years ago I dyed some wool using food colouring after reading about it online. I also remembered you could dye any protein based fibre with the food colouring. I suppose I could have shoved everything in a big pot since it is just food colouring and vinegar but I used the oven at the time.

      Have a go at making some cardigans.

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  3. I never knew that you could dye fabric using vinegar and food dye. I think I need to look into this a bit more.

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    1. Carmel - only protein fabrics (wool, cahmere, angora etc and silk). It is probably not as effective as using an acid dye or procion dyes but you don't need to buy special dye pots etc because it is all foodsafe.

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  4. I think the new length is much more you. Super job on making this cardi...

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  5. I like the new shorter length too, and such gorgeous sparkly fabric! Looks like a terrific pattern :)

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Thanks - I love receiving comments.