Friday, May 31, 2013

Review - Ultimate T-Shirt Craftsy Class


I just completed watching my first Craftsy class! I've been late-to-the game, as far as Craftsy goes. But Katherine and Marcy Tilton have just released a class on Craftsy called The Ultimate Tee and I decided to check it out.

This class, which consists of more than 3 hours of instruction (over 9 lessons), is a great primer on how to sew knits. I know many sewists who are very intimidated by knits, and Marcy and Katherine are real experts on this topic. Included in the price of the class is Katherine's zipper-neck t-shirt pattern, Vogue 8793.

The class begins with a survey of different types of knits. The Tiltons explain which types of knits are easier to sew, which are "medium" difficulty, and which are the hardest to sew. They talk about pre-treating the fabric and how to care for the completed garment. In lesson 3, they cover issues related to fitting the pattern at the tissue stage, starting with how to measure the pattern. They cover how to pin fit the pattern tissue so you can work out any major fitting issues. (Additional tweaking of the fit happens in a later lesson.)

Lesson 4 is the construction lesson, starting with how to cut out the tee. The recommended type of seam and recommended stitch length are discussed, as well as thread type, needle type, and seam finishes. The importance of stay stitching the neck (and how to minimize distortion), how to stabilize the shoulders, and how to lower the neckline, are covered. The next two lessons include two techniques for sewing the neckband. First, Katherine shows her wrap-around neckband and then Marcy shows a classic binding technique. Both teachers focus on how to sew a binding that will fit the curves of the neck and not hang loosely or pull too tightly.

After the neckband sections, Katherine talks about how to refine the knit of the tee, once it's partially constructed (but before the sleeves have been added or the side seams sewn). Then Marcy shows her easy technique for setting in a knit sleeve, and how to press the armscye. I should add that Katherine and Marcy have different preferences for some aspects of construction, and they clearly explain the differences, why, and encourage you to choose the best technique for you. Katherine leads the last lesson, which discusses how to finish the t-shirt. She discusses various hemming techniques and shows both her favorite technique, and Marcy's.

For the last 10 minutes of the class, Marcy and Katherine host a trunk show. They pull from a rack of creative and artistic tees they have made and share info about each one: what interesting techniques were used, how they combined different weights of knits or different prints, how they changed the hem/side seam shaping, the use of stripes - how they varied things up. I love this section.

I should add that neither a serger, nor a coverstitch machine, are required for this class. (I do not own a cover stitch machine and often sew knits without a serger.)

Even though I am an experienced with sewing knits, I learned some useful nuggets. An "a ha" moment for me was Marcy's technique for transferring the pin alterations to the front and back of both side seams. (I have always found this step to be a pain.) Sprinkled throughout the class, they have included all sorts of useful tips, such as "how to tame a rolling edge". I find that this is often how I learn - even one or two tips can make it worthwhile.

If you have never taken a Craftsy class, you should know that you can ask questions in each lesson. You can also see the questions that other students have asked, as well as the responses from the teachers or from other students. I noticed that Katherine and Marcy are very actively answering the questions and, in some cases, going into lots of detail.

As I watched the class, I found myself obsessed by the adorable iron that Marcy and Katherine are using. I did some sleuthing and discovered that it's a Rowenta DW6080 Eco-Intelligence Iron 1700-Watt Steam Iron with 3D Stainless Steel Soleplate.I really love my Reliable V100 and don't need a new iron, but this is soooo cute! If you own this iron, or have used it, I'd love to hear your review.

Wow, it's Friday! I have a lot of sewing I'd like to get done this weekend, but we'll see how much I accomplish. I hope your weekend is a good one!

20 comments:

  1. Thank you for your review. I've been debating on getting this class - now maybe I will. The iron - you're right, it is cute ;-)

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  2. I've been doing this class too. Their discussion of neck finishes is really excellent. And the tools they use, the chalk marker and the curved scissors. It's a great class, whether you've worked with knits a lot or a little!

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    1. Agreed! I have both the chalk marker AND the curved scissors. I love both!

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    2. wha? tools that sound unfamiliar to me? hmmm, maybe I need to take this class :)

      I have taken several Craftsy classes for quilting and just love the platform. It allows me to spend an evening watching my laptop while hubby runs the remote control on the tv. We are both happy.
      great review~!

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  3. Great review Shams. I have this class and am waiting for my pattern to arrive before I start. Thanks.

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  4. Right now Craftsy has a sale on ALL their classes and I was debating whether to cough up $ for it. You helped me decide, tomorrow I will sign up. Thank you for helping me spend money. 8-)

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    1. Yes, because of that sale, I also bought the Natalie Chanin class. I've already started watching it! I need to pace myself. ;)

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  5. I have bought several classes but not this one. I have Marcy's tshirt cd and wondered if this class had much more information. I asked Marcy on FB but she hasn't responded. I'll probably buy it. Better than watching TV :)

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  6. I've been considering this class but wasn't sure if it would be worth it as I've been sewing with knits for many years, however, after reading your review I think it might be a worthwhile investment.

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  7. Thanks for the helpful review. I didn't think I'd take that particular class, but now...

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  8. THAT is a cute iron. May have to order one---the one I'm using now, I'm not in love with........thanks for the review of the class. That one will go on my list. I just purchased the Janet Pray (Islander) one. And I still haven't finished the Linda Maynard one.

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  9. I'm also new to Craftsy - I'm currently in the middle of my first Craftsy class. This tee-shirt class in on my wish list. I'm exactly the sewer you described -- one who is intimidated by knits. But I'm getting better. I've sewn lots of knits lately just so I could learn to love them the way many sewers do. Your review of this class is very timely.

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  10. I just ordered the iron from Amazon. I'll let you know how I like it!

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  11. I bought that same iron from QVC. Yes it is cute...flowers on the sides. The sole plate makes ironing super easy. There are way more holes, they are recessed and the amount of steam it generates is unreal. The tip is slightly narrower on the sides, making it easy to get around buttons, etc. I like it!!!

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  12. I know I'm going to have to buy this class although I haven't watched two of the four I've already signed for.Of course I had to get S Betzina's pants fitting class and watched it right away because I love her.

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    1. um...me too . well actually my numbers are worse than yours. and pant fittng and pant construction are two of the ones i havent managed to watch yet :")

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  13. oooh ! i am so getting this class as soon as it goes on one of their sales :D thanks for the review

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  14. Thank you thank you thank you for this review of the class! There's a sale going on til Mon so I've been waffling on which one of three Craftsy classes to choose and this was one of them. I've also sewn with knits for years and love them far more than wovens so it's great to hear from someone who's not new to them.

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  15. Great review. I need this class as I have never been a knit maven. Maybe it will turn me into one?

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  16. You convinced me to pony up and buy their class...I'm really looking forward to watching and learning!

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