Does anybody else remember Knitwit – shops, sewing classes, patterns, and knit fabrics?
I’ve never been much of a seamstress (I was going to write sewer, but that just looks wrong!). I failed home economics in Year 8, however in my twenties my passion for fashion (and lack of funds) meant that I was motivated to take some basic dressmaking classes. It all seemed a bit finicky to me …
Then a friend and I signed up for a Knitwit stretch sewing class in Cleveland – and I was converted. Stretch sewing always seems to get a bad rap as being “tricky”, but I’m really not sure why.
I loved the ease and simplicity of sewing with stretch fabrics. No need to finish raw seams as knits don’t fray, so in no time I could whip up a garment. The fabrics themselves are soft and comfortable to wear, and generally don’t need ironing. Over the next couple of years I made a number of dresses (including a green maternity dress), pencil skirts, and tops.
What I didn’t love was that the knit fabrics were often incredibly expensive. And, it has to be said, a lot of the fabrics stocked by Knitwit were distinctly Nana-ish. So over time I lost interest, as it truly was cheaper and easier to buy ready made.
Sadly, I mustn’t have been the only one to feel that way because the Knitwit franchise closed in 1993 and today there is just one Knitwit store in Australia (in Perth).
Last week I bought another remnant of a black leather look fabric, destined to become another skirt for Miss 16 – and a burgundy piece for me, alas, not a remnant, but still good buying at under $10.
Do you remember Knitwit? Do you like stretch or any other form of sewing?!
