April 2013

One of our members, Mandy gave an excellent talk about her experience in her early career in South Africa working for Empisal and going to exhibitions and demonstrating the machines. Mandy also told us a about her machine knitting business and the lengths of knitted fabric created with yarn similar to a fine Grigna and Hobby.

The lengths of fabric were created from whole cones and then using dressmaking and cut and sew techniques, garment pieces were cut from the fabric once steamed and pressed. The pieces were sewn together using overlocking machines. The final garments were cordinating collections of jackets, tops, skirts, dresses and shorts, all fine knit and with beatiful soft drape and weights suitable for the climate.

Animal designs were handpainted onto some tops using fabric paints but I didn't manage to get a good photo. Here are a few samples of what I did manage to capture.

Very neat crocheted edging

 

A variety of skirts

The dress was darted and shaped and crochet edging all around the neck and armholes 

Oh yes... Sandra actually knitted a tension swatch!!! Amazing... as she never usually does one and has stated so many times. No picture though as she didn't bring it. So we all laughed, enjoyed the moment and asked her to bring it next time. We really need it for the blog photo so we can capture it as its so rare!

 

Competition this time round...
3rd Sandra with a beatiful Busy B design knitted in pink Shamal
2nd Valerie who converted a hand knit pattern for  her chunky machine and is knitted in King Cole Opium
1st Phyllis with a lovely babygro garment knitted in a boucle yarn with 1 strand of cotton

 Close up of the buttonband detail

Joan has been making some handy bags that can hang over chairs and also some embroidery