i can sew pretty good, but i cant figure out how to sew on stretchy fabric. I am trying to sew somthing out of spandex, and i cant figure out how to make a stitch that wont snap when the fabric is stretched. I have pretty expensive machines that belonged to my mother, and they should be able to do any kind of stitch, one is regular and one is a serger. please help, thanx.
2006-08-20 05:54:56 · 7 answers · asked by stef333 2 in Beauty & Style ➔ Fashion & Accessories
I have never personally sewn on spandex before...my understanding is that it can be done but it's a skill that needs to be learned! They do make stretchy thread (like you find in swimming suits), which might be helpful. If you don't get a good answer here, I'd go to a local fabric store (a locally owned shop will probably have more knowledgable people than a big chain like JoAnn's...not always but usually) and ask them if they have recommendations for you.
I included some links I found. Good luck!
2006-08-20 06:12:14 · answer #1 · answered by lechemomma 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stretchy fabrics can be a little like learning to sew all over again. With a little practice it'll become easy, but the rules are different.
Make sure you are using a ballpoint needle. Using a standard needle on stretch fabrics will tear the fibers and over the course of time your garment will start to get holes around the stitch line.
Be sure to use a stretch stitch on your sewing machine. Different machines have different versions on this stitch. Pretty much every machine has a zig zag, and that will do if it's all you have-- but it won't make as pretty a seam. If you have a manual for your machine, try looking at that for the setting for a stretch stitch. If you don't have the manual you can always try doing a sample of each stitch on stretchy fabric and then pulling then pulling the fabric to see which stitches will stretch with the fabric.
If you have a four thread serger you should be able to use that machine only for the entire project. Three thread sergers are not strong enough for this, but four thread sergers will do seaming and finishing all in the same step.
Good luck!
2006-08-23 01:16:57 · answer #2 · answered by kerith 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fabrics with about 20-40% stretch are o.k. to sew on a sewing machine and have long lasting seams. You need to use a narrow zigzag. Set the width down to 1 or 1.5 and keep the length where it normally is. The zigzag lets the seam give some and still looks like a straight line from the outside. To hem stretchy fabrics, you need to hand wind wooly nylon on your bobbin - you can't do it with the machine or you will put too much tension on the thread. Use a double needle to stitch and wooly nylon in the bobbin and your hems will look pretty much like store bought from the outside. You might need to loosen your bobbin tension slightly to prevent it from making a channel effect.
The best results for really stretchy fabrics are with a serger. Set it up for 4 thread stitching for best stability. Make sure your cutter is working and not down for the cleanest seams. I make at least 4 swimsuits annually and haven't had any seams pop in spandex. If your mom's serger has a cover stitch, you will be totally set for finishing hems and the like. If not you can use the trick above - it works on really stretchy fabrics too.
Good luck...
2006-08-20 12:43:38 · answer #3 · answered by TyeDyePrincess 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I made a one-piece swimsuit on a regular machine- I used a zigzag, with regular, but also stretched the fabric (one hand in front of the needle, the other behind, sew slllooowwwwlyyy!) as I sewed. Best fitting suit I've ever worn....
2006-08-23 08:36:19 · answer #4 · answered by Megan S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you dont want the fabric to snap put some pins on one end and sew the other.
2006-08-20 06:09:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Wow ppl still sew....geez that's commendable
2006-08-20 06:00:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
you need strechy fabric string
2006-08-20 05:59:55 · answer #7 · answered by AvesPro 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋