As knitwear became hugely popular in the 1980s, the use of all sorts of knit fabrics in fashion took off. Many home sewers such as Nancy Berry learnt how to use this fabric in new ways through a Knitwit sewing course. Huge meterages of knit fabric were produced here in New Zealand and it was available as sweatshirting, double knits, single knit jerseys and in fabrications of cotton, poly cotton, acrylic, wool and swimsuit lycra. Knitwit patterns were developed
 in Australia and were quick and easy to sew, allowing women to make fashionable outfits for the whole family often using just an overlocker. Nancy’s daughter Nardene has kept this outfit as a keepsake to remember her mother by. Read more about the history of home sewing in the New Zealand Fashion Museum publication Home Sewn.