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Working with knit fabrics might seem daunting for adults, but it didn’t scare Jessika off from introducing a knit pattern to some of her youngest students. She's here to explain why a pattern designed for knits is the perfect starter project for beginners.
Name: Jessika Zontini, owner of Pindrop Shop
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The pattern used was the Girl on the Go Dress + Top. For fabric, she went with Dabs Knit by Dear Stella and Chalkboard Knit by Rae Ritchie for Dear Stella.
Kiki and Catie are two sisters who had a keen interest in sewing, particularly in making clothes for themselves. Finding outfits that matched their unique styles while adhering to their school’s dress code was challenging. We decided to start with simpler projects before moving on to more complex ones like dresses.
Our initial project was a drawstring bag. The girls learned the basics of operating a sewing machine, cutting fabric, and using iron-on interfacing. They did exceptionally well and were incredibly proud of their creations.
Next, we moved on to a basic garment, a gathered skirt with an elastic waistband. Catie chose a tie-dyed knit fabric, while Kiki opted for a shimmering mermaid print. Both girls excelled again, building their skills and confidence.
When I was ordering patterns for the shop, I stumbled upon the Girl on the Go Dress + Top. I had seen this pattern before and immediately thought it would be ideal for the girls. I really wanted them to work with knit fabrics. Many people avoid knitting due to its perceived complexity, but I believe it’s a great place to start. Knit fabrics are forgiving—any slight misalignment or uneven stitching simply stretches out, leaving a comfortable and forgiving final product.
We jumped right into the Girl on the Go. First, I explained how patterns are written, the symbols used, and how sizing works. I demonstrated how to measure themselves and choose the correct size. Then, we traced the pattern pieces onto Pellon Easy-Pattern. The girls thoroughly enjoyed this part. We transferred the markings and used the pieces to cut into the fabric. This process spanned several class sessions, but the dress was simple enough that the girls could always see the bigger picture and stayed motivated without getting bogged down by details.
Once the cutting was complete and the sewing began, the dresses came together quickly. Seeing the garments take shape motivated the girls even more. They eagerly tried on the dresses after each step, which was incredibly rewarding to witness. My ultimate goal is to foster a love for sewing, and it was happening right before my eyes. Their skills and focus improved with every class.
Some initial missteps were corrected as we progressed, but these minor errors ended up being imperceptible in the finished product. Witnessing the impact of these small mistakes, the girls became more meticulous in subsequent steps. They were truly learning, and I could see the wheels turning in their minds, much like I did when my aunt Kelley taught me to sew an apron using a pattern many years ago.
The best part is seeing them wear their finished dresses. They’re incredibly proud of their creations and understand that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. At ages 8 and 11, their friends and teachers were amazed when they arrived at school wearing handmade dresses and carrying handmade bags. This is just the beginning of what they’ll create, and I’m grateful to have been a part of giving them this experience. I hope it inspires other young people to learn these skills and that their passion for learning and creating never fades.
The Girl on the Go dress was the perfect project to start with, and I’d recommend it to anyone teaching a young person to sew. We loved that it had only a few pieces, so the girls understood each component and could visualize the outcome throughout the process. Working with knit fabric was also a bonus since any mistakes became virtually invisible. They enjoy the everyday comfort of the dress and feel great wearing it. It’s both cute and stylish, with the waist tie adding just enough detail to make it interesting. The pattern was well-written and easy to follow, exactly what we were looking for in a learning-to-sew dress pattern.
Do you know a child who has sewn one of our patterns? Would you (or they) like to write about it? Drop us a line and let’s chat!
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