This is not a Thing that got finished in January. Well, sort of. Maybe. I actually finished knitting it last February, but it's been sitting, unseamed, in a box.
And unseaming, gentle readers, is why I am going to knitting hell.
It occurred to me last night, as I was putting aside the machine after sewing the lining hem on the dress, that I couldn't think of any good reason why I shouldn't seam the purse with the machine. Afterall, I had just made a knit dress, and it turned out nicely, and the only difference between that and a knit purse -- in my head -- was the gauge and weight of the fabric.
In other words, I decided to be lazy. I decided that handstitching the purse was overrated, and I'd see what my machine could do.
And you know what? Being lazy was awesome. It's the nicest seams that I've ever had on a knit project, and my machine could handle it like a pro. I was worried that it wouldn't feed the material (because really, that's all that knitting is -- making fabric to put together or wear), but it did.
It was fast, and the seams are even and straight, and the machine is good. I am probably going to knitting hell for taking a shortcut, but the final result is so worth it. If I can get away with it, I'm never seaming a knit fabric by hand again.
And really? If I seamed things by machine, they'd probably get done a lot sooner.
People need to stop being strict about knitting. If most of the project was knitted, it's knitting. A seam is no big deal as far as I'm concerned. It looks good and your happy, don't worry about it.
ReplyDeleteYou're not going to knitter hell. Maybe I'm trying to convince you as means of sparing myself the same fate for a similar discretion... :-D It is WAY EASY to sew the seams on things. I've only done it once, and I was was in a hurry.. since then, I've been doing penance in the form of endless hand seaming.
ReplyDeleteYes, once I did it, it was this feeling of "OMG this is so EASY. ... Why haven't I done it before?"
ReplyDeleteI learned to sew before I learned to knit, and I think since the books I used while refining knitting never mentioned sewing the seams by machine, that I figured it just wasn't done for some reason.
I don't think I'd try it with bulky yarn, but for worsted or finer? Yep. It's the way to go.
I was once told that seaming with a machine might end up breaking the yarn because the thread is so tight it cuts through it. Especially on garments you wear, like sweaters. This could be the biggest lie I've ever heard, but who knows? I hope it works out great especially since it's so easy for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous. I don't own a machine or the skills to use one... and I'd love to! I'm still scared to do steeking without one (one of the few areas where people TELL you to use the machine instead of hand-sewing).
ReplyDeleteWear (or gift) the purse with pride!