Summer in New York is a knit!

Summer in New York is one of our most popular patterns with a beautiful and flattering silhouette that was originally designed for a woven fabric with a concealed zip (discreetly inserted under the arm) accentuating the shape and fit. However, for those that do not like zips or have yet to master zip insertion, Summer in New York can easily be made without the zip by simply using a knit fabric instead!

In this blog, we will take you through how to make Summer in New York in a knit fabric.

Tip: Due to the stretch in knit fabric you can usually go down a size, although we would advise sewing a toile first to check the fit before committing to cutting out in your final fabric!

To make a pull on version of Summer in New York you will need:

• the Summer in New York pattern
• your chosen knit fabric

As it is likely you will be making a size smaller than usual, we would suggest tracing off the pattern in the smaller size. 

Tip: If you are already the smallest size (which is a size 8) make your usual size, however before you sew the side seams together we would recommend you pin the dress along the side seams first. If the dress is not as fitted, sew the side seams with a slightly bigger seam allowance. You can then trim these down before finishing the seams, or if using an overlocker you can use this to cut off the excess.

1. Follow step 1 of the instructions.

2. For step 2 we would recommend you pin and sew past the notch making the neckline slightly higher than usual. This is because the weight of a knitted fabric can pull the neckline down.

3. Follow steps 3 - 13 of the instructions.

4. Place the front and back dress right sides together with the front dress on top (so the wrong side of the front dress is face up). Pin the side seams together from the underarm seam to the notch marking the side split. Sew the seams together. Press the seams open making sure that when you reach the end of each seam, you continue pressing the remainder of the dress by 1.5cm on each side wrong sides together. 

Ignore steps 15, 16 and 17 as these relate to the insertion of the concealed zip.

5. With the dress still inside out so the right sides of the dress are together, pin the front and back bodice together along the shoulder seams starting at the sleeve edges and matching the notches. There will be a gap between the left and right necklines of the front bodice. Sew together and press the seams open.

6. Follow steps 19-22.

Congratulations, you can now pull off Summer in New York!