Girl Charlee Fabric

I have some exciting news; I will host a few free tutorials and some that come with patterns! They graciously sent me material so I could sew up some fantastic, fun projects! A collaboration with Girl Charlee fabrics regarding some fun nontraditional projects, so that most people think they can use a stretch knit.

Think about stretch knit —what makes you afraid to use it? Can I help you overcome that? Why can’t it be used in some nontraditional ways? 

I LOVE IT! Using this 95% cotton 5% spandex stretch knit, I made a cute infinity scarf using 1/4 yard! One neat fact about Girl Charlee is that they produce some of their fabric right here in California, in the USA! The textile industry is small in the US; most materials come from overseas. So to see another “small” business helping to sustain manufacturing in the US. 

This material is a mustard and ivory stripe; it’s got a significant recovery after stretch and is 55-58″ wide.  It is listed as medium weight, 11oz, and has a 60% 30% stretch, making this fabric usable in many applications! This fabric feels soft after washing with a medium hand and is flexible. It sewed beautifully without issue. Good weight. 

I recorded a time-lapse video and wanted to link to this tutorial, which includes step-by-step photos. The only difference is you will be using a triple stitch or zig-zag stitch, depending on your machine. 

Tips:

So I mentioned the Triple Stitch; I love this stitch for my stretchy fabrics if serging isn’t going to work. This stitch is a Speciality Stitch on many machines; it’s considered a reinforcement stitch for wovens and a stretchy stitch for knits, and I love using this stitch because it is a straight stitch. Whenever I sew two layers with a zig-zag stitch, I typically encounter puckering at the seam. Using that stitch makes my seams look almost like scallops, and I am not a fan.

**Pro Tip**
Practice on your fabric before stitching anything together; I always highly recommend taking a scrap piece and folding it over to simulate the conditions you’ll be sewing in. Then see what stitches you like the best! Everyone has different tastes, and that is ok! Do what works for you.

Creating your infinity scarf with stretch knit

Materials needed:

• 1/4 yard stretch knit (my favorite is 95% cotton/5% spandex)
  • I am using Mustard and Ivory Stripe Cotton Spandex Knit from Girl Charlee
• Size 12 needle – Ballpoint

  

  , Jersey

  

  , or Strehttps://amzn.to/3StQyUMtch

  

• Matching Thread (I prefer 100% polyester with garment construction)
• Straight Pins
• Sewing Machine (I love the Brother CS6000i

  

  for a beginner machine)

Step 1: Prewash your fabric! Then give the raw edges a light pressing and starch to keep them from rolling.

**Did you know that knit fabric will turn towards the “right side” of the fabric**

2nd Step: Fold the fabric lengthwise in half. Leaving a hand’s length of material at each end, pin the raw edges together with straight pins.

Step 3: Sew using a 1/4 inch seam allowance down the long side of the fabric, making sure to stop at the last pin (leaving at least one hand length at the beginning and end.)

4th Step: Flip the fabric right side out.

Step 5: Taking both ends with the salvage edge, pin all the way around with the right sides together.
*This may look strange or awkward, but you will sew around the 3/4 circular opening.

6th Step: Sew around this edge using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Step 7: Don’t forget backstitching!

8th Step: After that, make sure all raw edges are tucked into the opening pin across the entire opening. Using a 1/8 inch seam allowance, sew the opening closed.

YAY!  You now have a fabulous infinity scarf that takes less than 20 minutes to sew!

Super quick and easy holiday gift: a soft, warm material with a fun drape! You can use old T-shirts for scarves, too; piece a few together first to make it at least 45 inches wide.

Have a blast making more!

What is your favorite thing about stretch knits?

Have you ever heard of or used Girl Charlee fabrics? Please tell me what you like about their fabric!

Jesy

Also, Girl Charlee did send me the fabric free of charge. This was part of the collaboration. However, my opinions and thoughts are all of my accord and were not influenced by the free fabric. Thanks for your support! Please also note there are affiliate links that help run this blog.