Tips for KNITS - The Sew Weekly Sewing Circle2024-03-28T08:42:09Zhttp://circle.sewweekly.com/forum/topics/tips-for-knits?commentId=6365347%3AComment%3A47695&feed=yes&xn_auth=noFor thread breaks have you ch…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-08-06:6365347:Comment:719572011-08-06T13:00:23.983ZRosemaryhttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/Rosemary
<p>For thread breaks have you changed the needle recently to a new (ball point)one? also try totally re threading the machine.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.superiorthreads.com/media/docs/Troubleshooting%20Guide.pdf">Trouble shooting breaking threads</a> I found this site through my quilting activities on line and the information is all totally valid for whatever machine sewing you are doing.</p>
<p>For thread breaks have you changed the needle recently to a new (ball point)one? also try totally re threading the machine.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.superiorthreads.com/media/docs/Troubleshooting%20Guide.pdf">Trouble shooting breaking threads</a> I found this site through my quilting activities on line and the information is all totally valid for whatever machine sewing you are doing.</p> I keep rereading this thread…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-07-29:6365347:Comment:698172011-07-29T13:40:08.938ZAnne Barneshttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/AnneB
I keep rereading this thread for moral support. I am so close to giving up on my latest project- I keep having the thread break about every 5 inches or so. The bodice on my dress is complete, but with the 5 inch issue, I am dreading sewing the skirt panels. I really think my machine just doesn't like silky knit- I have sewn dozens of t-shirt knit outfits for dolls, but this is not reacting the same way at all.
I keep rereading this thread for moral support. I am so close to giving up on my latest project- I keep having the thread break about every 5 inches or so. The bodice on my dress is complete, but with the 5 inch issue, I am dreading sewing the skirt panels. I really think my machine just doesn't like silky knit- I have sewn dozens of t-shirt knit outfits for dolls, but this is not reacting the same way at all. I sewed with knits a lot in c…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-06-06:6365347:Comment:492492011-06-06T23:54:59.282ZLaurel Jorgensenhttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/LaurelJorgensen
<p>I sewed with knits a lot in college, but my stitching wasn't quite right back then - a lot of the stitches have broken where I've stretched the item over or around something, and I've got holes along the seamlines because I didn't use a ball point needle.</p>
<p>Recently, I decided it was time to conquer this problem, and I consulted my sewing machine manual.</p>
<p>SHORT stitch length (almost as short as it goes, if it's super-stretchy fabric), and yes, a slight zig-zag or special stretch…</p>
<p>I sewed with knits a lot in college, but my stitching wasn't quite right back then - a lot of the stitches have broken where I've stretched the item over or around something, and I've got holes along the seamlines because I didn't use a ball point needle.</p>
<p>Recently, I decided it was time to conquer this problem, and I consulted my sewing machine manual.</p>
<p>SHORT stitch length (almost as short as it goes, if it's super-stretchy fabric), and yes, a slight zig-zag or special stretch stitch. Ball point needle, or very very very sharp/new needle if you don't want holes later. STRETCH while you sew. This used to mean that I'd guess at the seam allowance, and sometimes take way too much. Now I DRAW the seamline on the fabric with chalk or water-erasable marker. Much better. PRESS your hems, because you'll need to stretch it while you sew, and you can't just hope you've folded over the right amount.</p>
<p>For super-stretchy fabrics, you may want to widen the stitch width a little more, and shorten the stitch length even more. Tried this recently with a slinky-slippery knit, and it totally worked. No more lettuce edge! I also played with the tension a bit to get the hems just right. For that, I recommend trying it on a scrap until it looks right. (All on a conventional machine, by the way. I have an overlocker, love it, but I tend not to sew seams with it. Plus, you can't sew a dart with a serger - not unless you're absolutely sure it's where you want it.)</p>
<p>If you're gathering anything, I suggest basting the gathers in place as you want them to look before you sew the seam. Having to stretch the seam while you sew can distort gathers.</p> I summarized some of my thoug…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-06-06:6365347:Comment:492332011-06-06T20:37:44.610ZAmy Stantonhttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/AmyStanton
<p>I summarized some of my thoughts on sewing with knits here:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.quixoticpixels.com/blog/2011/05/sewing-with-knits/">http://www.quixoticpixels.com/blog/2011/05/sewing-with-knits/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope that helps! Knits are great.</p>
<p>I summarized some of my thoughts on sewing with knits here:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.quixoticpixels.com/blog/2011/05/sewing-with-knits/">http://www.quixoticpixels.com/blog/2011/05/sewing-with-knits/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope that helps! Knits are great.</p> Thanks, everyone, for the ama…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-06-06:6365347:Comment:488982011-06-06T15:42:49.985ZAmy O Rizzohttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/AmyORizzo
Thanks, everyone, for the amazing wealth of advice! I can't wait to get started. I'm going to post a "cheat sheet" next to my sewing machine with all your good ideas. :)
Thanks, everyone, for the amazing wealth of advice! I can't wait to get started. I'm going to post a "cheat sheet" next to my sewing machine with all your good ideas. :) I sew a lot of knits without…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-06-06:6365347:Comment:492042011-06-06T15:36:43.836ZKatelynhttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/Katelyn
<p>I sew a lot of knits without an overlocker, so it's definitely not necessary. A couple of tips to add to the discussion:</p>
<p>It can sometimes be difficult to avoid "lettuce" edge on your seams (this is where you get some rippling). I've found that every machine has a different trick to avoid this, but this is the successful recipe I've found.</p>
<p>1) don't skimp on seam allowances. Using 5/8" or 1" seam allowance and then trimming them helps a lot.</p>
<p>2) use a wash-away…</p>
<p>I sew a lot of knits without an overlocker, so it's definitely not necessary. A couple of tips to add to the discussion:</p>
<p>It can sometimes be difficult to avoid "lettuce" edge on your seams (this is where you get some rippling). I've found that every machine has a different trick to avoid this, but this is the successful recipe I've found.</p>
<p>1) don't skimp on seam allowances. Using 5/8" or 1" seam allowance and then trimming them helps a lot.</p>
<p>2) use a wash-away stabilizer for seams that tend to bag out (necklines in particular). Something like this: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Quilting-Washaway-Wonder-Tape/dp/B001UAH1I8" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Quilting-Washaway-Wonder-Tape/dp/B001UAH1I8</a></p>
<p>or this: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sulky-Water-Soluble-Stabilizer-Roll/dp/B001705SVS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=arts-crafts&qid=1307374263&sr=1-1" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Sulky-Water-Soluble-Stabilizer-Roll/dp/B001705SVS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=arts-crafts&qid=1307374263&sr=1-1</a></p>
<p>3) I use a normal zigzag stitch (maybe 1/8" wide and 1/10" stitch length) for most seams. When hemming I use a 3-step zigzag set at the widest stitch width (~1/4").</p>
<p>4) With the exception of hems, I usually stitch each seam twice, for added strength. If I don't do this, I sometimes have to go back and restitch some of the areas later (no biggie!).</p>
<p> </p> I am working on my first knit…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-06-04:6365347:Comment:485362011-06-04T20:02:48.964ZEdda Lindhttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/EddaLind
<p>I am working on my first knit dress right now. I had been putting off sewing with knits for a really long time because I had heard they were really hard to work with. So I was pleasantly surprised when I started making my dress and the fabric didn't give me any problems. I don't have an overlocker and have just been using the same needle and stitch as I normally would, except for the waist where I used a knit zig zag, and that has worked out perfectly fine for me. One thing I'd recommend…</p>
<p>I am working on my first knit dress right now. I had been putting off sewing with knits for a really long time because I had heard they were really hard to work with. So I was pleasantly surprised when I started making my dress and the fabric didn't give me any problems. I don't have an overlocker and have just been using the same needle and stitch as I normally would, except for the waist where I used a knit zig zag, and that has worked out perfectly fine for me. One thing I'd recommend doing is roughly hand basting the seam before you sew it on the machine</p>
<p> </p> How knits are to work with va…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-06-04:6365347:Comment:486232011-06-04T18:56:11.508ZTanit-Isishttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/TanitIsis
<p>How knits are to work with varies a lot depending on the knit. Some are sturdy and really easy to work with, others are slippery or wriggly and can be a pain in the butt. Doubleknit with a bit of lycra is my favourite in terms of workability, but it doesn't necessarily have the softest drape.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My regular machine has dedicated stretch-stitches and sews knits quite well, sometimes better than my (rather eldrly and temperamental) overlocker. Stretching as you go is often a good…</p>
<p>How knits are to work with varies a lot depending on the knit. Some are sturdy and really easy to work with, others are slippery or wriggly and can be a pain in the butt. Doubleknit with a bit of lycra is my favourite in terms of workability, but it doesn't necessarily have the softest drape.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My regular machine has dedicated stretch-stitches and sews knits quite well, sometimes better than my (rather eldrly and temperamental) overlocker. Stretching as you go is often a good idea but it can distort the seam-lines. Often these will go back after a wash, but not always. If you have a stretch stitch option I'd go with that. You will probably want to stabilize shoulder-seams and maybe the back of neck (look inside a RTW T-shirt and you will see bands sewn along the shoulder-seam and often going straight around the back of the neck.)</p> Amy,
Correction it's not a…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-06-04:6365347:Comment:486142011-06-04T16:30:15.911ZCathehttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/cathe
<p>Amy,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Correction it's not a slightly longer stitch it's a very slight zig zag! My old brain works intermittently!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>cj</p>
<p>Amy,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Correction it's not a slightly longer stitch it's a very slight zig zag! My old brain works intermittently!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>cj</p> I too have never used a serge…tag:circle.sewweekly.com,2011-06-03:6365347:Comment:482062011-06-03T18:24:44.813ZCathehttp://circle.sewweekly.com/profile/cathe
<p>I too have never used a serger on knit although it seems like a natural.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was taught to enlarge my stitch length just a little to accommodate the stretch of the fabric. If you do a little test, by pulling the fabric to see if the stitch holds up to the stretch, no popped stitches is what you are hoping for. That assures that your stitches will hold up. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I agree with Jen on pulling or easing your fabric as you go. Especially if you are sewing a knit bias…</p>
<p>I too have never used a serger on knit although it seems like a natural.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was taught to enlarge my stitch length just a little to accommodate the stretch of the fabric. If you do a little test, by pulling the fabric to see if the stitch holds up to the stretch, no popped stitches is what you are hoping for. That assures that your stitches will hold up. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I agree with Jen on pulling or easing your fabric as you go. Especially if you are sewing a knit bias neckline to a shirt. By stretching the bias tape slightly it retains the curve of the neckline.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also the coolest thing is using a double needle for hems. Most machines can handle a double needle and it makes such a nice clean double stitch on the front and an incased stitch (almost like a zig zag) on the back.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think if you practice a little you'll feel comfortable with it. It's actually really fun and opens up another sewing door!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>