Thread: sheer blue knit - what to make?

I got this sheer blue knit , navy blue and SUPER stretchy to make something for bd. but now I have NO idea what to make.

any ideas ladies?

A picture would really help! Also, how much fabric did you get?

How about a baladi dress? You could decorate it with silver and crystal beading.

How much of it do you have? How sheer is it? Is it an open-weave net? Illusion? A solid knit that's just really thin? Matte or decorative finish? Do you have a serger, or will you be working with a regular sewing machine only?

Fabric that is extremely sheer or thin can be problematic, because not everybody is confident showing that much silhouette. Right now, I suspect it's probably a bit more on trend to make a catsuit to build a costume on top of (search "Venus" at the Bellydance Store) than a baladi dress, but if you're self conscious about your body, neither style may be the right choice for you, and you might be happier using the fabric to line cutouts or making a stomach cover out of it. If you like the retro look, narrow harem pants to wear under a skirt would be another possibility. If the yardage is small, you might consider using it as an overlay on a bra and belt. If you have a lot of it and it's lightweight, you could make a circle skirt.

I would suggest checking the edges to see if the knit runs easily. If it's finicky, inexpensive fabric (and I say this because I have a stash of cheap polyester jersey I bought for $1/yd), it can be difficult to work with, so it's better to plan simple designs.

Toria in MD has a super cute costume with a sheer shrug.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I would suggest checking the edges to see if the knit runs easily. If it's finicky, inexpensive fabric (and I say this because I have a stash of cheap polyester jersey I bought for $1/yd), it can be difficult to work with, so it's better to plan simple designs.

Plus, if it's a fabric that pills quickly with minor wear, it'll be saddening to have a ruined costume after only a couple of wearings. Not that it's not useable, but better to make a quick and easy, simple costume piece (like the suggested shrug) with cheap fabric rather than something quite involved and painstaking (like a heavily beaded dress). After running the fabric through the wash a couple of times, how does it look?

If it's really stretchy, what about a set of long sleeves (gauntlets) or a shrug/sleeves or bodysuit? Then you're taking advantage of the lovely sheer but also the stretchiness. Perhaps a midriff wrap for a coordinating bedlah (I'm thinking a strap or gathered section of fabric wrapping around the torso and hooking onto the belt and bra)...

okay it is probably 50% stretch across the grain and open weave net kind. I was thinking maybe some stretchy yoga pants and maybe a fitted knit top with contrasting fabric?