Event Details
Sew a Dolman Sweater with Knit Fabric
Learn how to sew a stylish dolman-style sweater using medium-weight knit fabric in this hands-on sewing class. Perfect for beginner to intermediate sewists, this workshop covers essential techniques for working with knits. You’ll take accurate body measurements, select the correct pattern size, and learn how to grade between sizes if needed. Discover how to choose the right knit fabric, calculate stretch percentage, and master neckband math to achieve a professional finish. Students can use a regular sewing machine or a serger for construction. By the end of class, you’ll have a custom-fit sweater and the confidence to tackle more knit projects.
Skills You’ll Learn:
- Taking body measurements and selecting the correct size
- Grading between sizes
- Choosing the right knit fabric for garments
- Calculating knit fabric stretch percentage
- Neckband math: determining the correct size for your neckline
Class/Workshop 1: 02/22/2026
Start time:
02:00 p.m. EST
End time:
04:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Fabricate Studios
Email: [email protected]
- French terry, sweatshirt fleece, rib knit, or even jersey knit for a lightweight sweater.
- 1.5 yards for up to size small
- 2 yards for size medium-XL
- 2.5 yards for size XXL-5X
- Sewing machine
- Coordinating all purpose thread
- Notepad and pencil
- Optional: Serger
- A serger will make your seam allowances tidier and more professional looking but is not necessary to make a knit garment.
- Students must purchase their own copy of the pattern from Lowland Kids to comply with pattern use laws. You do not need to print the pattern—we’ll provide a printed copy at the studio—but proof of purchase is required.
Optional: ½ yard coordinating “ribbing” or “rib knit”
You can use the same fabric for the sweater, cuffs, waistband, and neckband, no problem, it’ll look great! However, using ribbing, especially when your main fabric is a print, looks a little more professional. This is an example of a print french terry, if you scroll to the bottom you’ll see they also sell a rib knit in the same color. An exact color match is not always available, which is why you might stick with the same fabric for everything or choose a contrasting color for the bands.
Thalia likes Jumping June Textiles for their high quality, mostly cotton, knits. Most online fabric stores (Mood, Fabric Mart Fabrics, etc) offer them.
Thalia has been sewing professionally since about 2010, but very unprofessionally for many years before that. She got a BFA in Fashion Design with a concentration in Costume Design from American Intercontinental University in 2009, which led her to design small stage shows for Aurora Theatre. After deciding against that career path she began working for an ice skating costume designer, sewing miles and miles of lycra and mesh! After he downsized in 2022 she began working in film where she honed her alterations skills and expanded her garment building knowledge, from sketch to final showstopper. She currently has a toe in film, commercials, contract sewing, leather sewing, and last but certainly not least, teaching!
Thalia teaches: Alterations 101, Sewing 102, Private Lessons and more!
