Knit Batik? Yes, there is such a thing and it’s fabulous!! It’s marvelously soft once washed, it’s extremely versatile, and super comfy to wear. So, the piece I purchased at this year’s Sewing & Stitchery Expo was perfect for the Indygo Junction Warm & Cozy Wrap pattern!
The Magic of Knit Batik
A couple of years ago, I picked up a remnant of Knit Batik from Indonesian Knits at Sew Expo, just to try it out. I didn’t realize until it was pre-washed, sewn and worn several times just how magical this fabric really is. (The resulting tee made an appearance in Week Two of my 2017 Me Made May posts.)
Why It’s Awesome . . .
- 100% Cotton, breathable and perfect for Summer
- Hand dyed by Indonesian artisans
- Machine washable and dryable and continues to soften with wearing and washing. Pro Tip: As with all cottons, allow up to 3″ per yard for shrinkage. Cold water wash and low heat dry is always best!
- Feels a bit stiff and un-stretchy on the bolt, BUT, once pre-washed and machine dried, it’s yummy-soft with great 25% one way stretch.
- Pro Tip: Wash, love, sew, wear, repeat and enjoy the compliments!
Cozy, But No Warmth Needed
Last Fall, I fell in love with Indygo Junction’s Warm & Cozy Wrap and I was very excited to try it in a lighter weight fabric! (Click here to see my wool version.)
The Warm & Cozy Wrap page on the Indygo Junction site shows wraps sewn up in various fabrics. You can see it’s wrap-riffic versatility! It’s perfect for cottons, rayon, denim, knits and look at it in a border print – wow. I bought my Knit Batik with the Wrap in mind and I’m thrilled with how it turned out.
For this lightweight, cozy-but-not-warm version, I went with the serged edge finish option suggested in the pattern. Since this was intended to be a Spring/Summer cover-up, I shortened the sleeves by about 3″ so they wouldn’t be too warm and could easily be rolled up.
The rich, saturated colors of my Wrap were perfect with a ready-to-wear periwinkle tank I already owned. I wore it with black slim knit pants to Spring Quilt Market. It went beautifully with a hand-painted silk scarf my artist-hubby created for me years ago, too!
While I was there I had a chance to pose with Amy Barickman, founder and owner of Indygo Junction patterns. And, it worked well in this picture with a few of my sewing industry friends taken by Rhonda Pierce of the fabulous Schmetz Needles company!
Wrapping Up the Wrap
There’s not a lot to say about the cutting and construction of the Warm and Cozy Wrap because it’s a super-easy make. It’s a fabulous look when it’s done and I’ve worn mine for dressy occasions as well as with my jeans while I’m running errands. So, the main thing I want to say is . . . buy it, make it, wear it!! Seriously, it’s that great!
I’m in complete agreement with this quote from Indygo Junction’s pattern description for the Warm & Cozy Wrap: “This cape like cardigan with partial sleeves is perfect for indoors or out. The three piece construction is ideal for beginners or advanced sewers to stitch up in a jiffy.” Yep – only three pieces!! Yep – in a jiffy! How often do you find that?
The Bonus
With a little twisting and turning, I had about one yard left after I cut out my size XL Wrap. That made my 2-1/2 yards of 72″ wide Knit Batik fabric suitable for a two-fer. Yes!!! Not just scraps, but a full width of fabric, so . . . I cut out and quickly stitched up an Indygo Junction Easy Top. But, that’s another post – watch for it!
To check out Knit Batik, visit Indonesian Batiks online and enjoy browsing their collection. They have gorgeous Batik Rayons and Cottons, too, so plan to stay awhile. And, you might want to have your card number handy. Just sayin’ . . . .
You’ll find the Indygo Junction Warm & Cozy Wrap pattern, right here.
That should keep you busy and into plenty of Sewful shenanigans. Sew with joy and I’ll be back with more fun soon!
Moment of Further Truth:
This post includes affiliate links and I may receive a small payment if you make a purchase using that link. Thank you if you do – it helps to keep The Sewful Life stitching along and I sincerely appreciate your support. The Warm & Cozy Wrap and Easy Top patterns were provided to me by Indygo Junction. All opinions are solely and truly mine and I only gush about things I love!