Happy fall everyone! Jumping into Fall 2021 I planned to sew with more knits. I began this in my last post featuring the Muse Bodysuit. I’ve sewn knits a handful of times. I’m not as comfortable drafting knit patterns or finishing the seams so I’ve purchased a few patterns to grow my skills.
I created this set from the Lola Tank and Lola Dress sewing pattern from StayStichPatternCo! I made the skirt by using the Lola Dress pattern and it was so simple.
If you’re new to knits like me, I hope you’ll find this post helpful. Or at least you’ll find styling & pattern inspo and want to create a skirt from the Lola Dress pattern too!
Lola Pattern
The Lola Pattern by Stay Stich Pattern Co was on my mind since it’s first release! I wasn’t sure the design will work on me. But it grew on me, especially after seeing so many amazing makes with it. When I realized a dress pattern was included too, I had to order it! I picked it up during their Labor Day Sale.
First things, I love the ease of use of the Lola Pattern by Stay Stitch Pattern Co! The sizes are printed in layers so you can choose your exact size to print. And the instructions are so detailed and helpful. Like the Muse Bodysuit pattern, I like having a video reference when sewing a new pattern and @theStitchFitz and @sewbakemake have helpful videos on their profiles.
I cut a size 4 and it’s perfect. For reference I’m 5’3 and 105 lbs.
Fabrics
The tank fabric is leftover from this custom patchwork dress I made for a client in 2020. I had the tiniest bit of fabric left! I knew I wanted to wear this tank with a matching scarf so I tried to preserve as much fabric as much as I could. I had to add a ruffle piece to the Lola Tank patterns I ended up omitting the arm and neck bands. I think the ruffle piece compliments the pattern and the fabric well!
The skirt fabric is gifted from Minerva! Visit my Minerva profile to shop this fabric. It is a textured sweater knit and so perfect for a cozy knit pattern.
Supplies
On my serger (Brother Babylock 1034D), my needle tensions were set at 6; and upper and lower looper were at 6. The Lola pattern instructions includes a tip to increase the needle tension if the threads show through the right side. This tip was so helpful! I’m new to sewing with knits and didn’t quite understand how to fix this issue before.
I set my serger differential feed at 1.0, length at 4.0, and width at 5.
To hold the fabric together after cutting, and while sewing, I used fabric clips.
Sewing the Lola
I didn’t have a hard time cutting or sewing the pattern pieces. I did have a hard time gathering my ruffle piece perfectly to the tank! I didn’t have a long enough ruffle piece, so the gathers aren’t as evenly spaced and beautifully draped as I like. It’s easy to add a ruffle piece to the Lola Tank though! Cut a piece about 2.5 times longer than the length of the hem. I used a 3″ width for these ruffles.
Also, since I wanted to save the remaining long edges of the fabric for a scarf, I kind of cheated and didn’t add the armhole and neckband.
I don’t think it’s noticeable that the bands aren’t included! For using up scrap fabric I’m ok with this. I plan to make a few more Lola tanks so I’m sure I’ll learn to use a twin needle eventually. 🪡 I’m not going to lie, I was a little terrified of messing up the look of this top with wonky twin needle stitching! So I thought I’d better leave the bands off!
How to Hack a Skirt Pattern from the Lola Dress Pattern
If you want to make a skirt from the Lola dress pattern, it’s so simple!! It’s also my new fave skirt pattern for knits, I can’t imagine sewing any other knit skirt pattern!
To make the Lola skirt, I added a 2.5″ seam allowance at the Lola dress pattern shorten/lengthen line. And that was it!! No need to add an elastic, zippers, snaps or any such thing! The Lola skirt just sits perfectly on my hips. 🥰 I sewed with a 1/4 seam allowance instead of the 3/8 listed on the pattern so the skirt isn’t as fitted.
Once the front and back pieces were sewn together, I folded the waist yoke seam allowance I added to the wrong side and used a zig-zag stitch to secure. I didn’t sew at the top of the waist yoke because I didn’t feel this fabric needed it. If I had knit interfacing I would have added a strip of it before sewing closed.
If it doesn’t hold up with a few washes, I’ll be sure to add knit interfacing next time!
I left raw edges on the skirt hem too. I’ve already cut another Lola tank from the same textured black knit as the skirt, so stay tuned for version 2 of Lola tank and skirt set! I’m adding a little detail to the skirt. Any guesses what it is??
Thanks for reading!
– Ammara @ammaraza.sews
ammaraza.sews 
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