I can figure out how to use the sewing machine, the problem is that when i was trying to sew a seam on a stretchy fabric or actually any fabric the fabric doesn't move under the presser foot so it bunches and tangles the thread in the machine. or the stitch comes out all crooked and to the side. am i not sewing correctly or what? i've watched people on tv do it and it seems easy...
2006-10-04 16:37:22 · 7 answers · asked by James S 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
"when i was trying to sew a seam on a stretchy fabric or actually any fabric the fabric doesn't move under the presser foot so it bunches and tangles the thread in the machine. or the stitch comes out all crooked and to the side. am i not sewing correctly or what?"
Assuming you know how to sew, it sounds to me like something is wrong with your machine. Almost like it's threaded wrong or the feed dogs aren't moving the fabric thru correctly.
If you are able, maybe find a good sewing machine service center and have them take a look at your machine.
2006-10-05 00:54:36 · answer #1 · answered by lizzylubinski 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are a couple of suggestions to help you overcome sewing on knits with a regular machine. I assume you already know how to sew, so that the machine is threaded correctly, which would cause the bunching you mentioned if it were not threaded correctly.
Stretchy fabrics do slide, especially if they are loose, floppy knits like jersey (the stuff baby shirts are made of). If it is so floppy that it slides, check your pressure foot tension, and if adjusting it doesn't help, try spray starching it with your iron or sandwiching the fabric between tissue paper.
Another suggestion is to use a small zigzag instead of a straight stitch for your seams - set at your normal length but the width at 0.5 or lower - this would give your seam a bit of stretch so that it won't pop the first time you wear it. Also consider purchasing a double needle at the fabric store for hemming, and hand wind a bobbin with "wooly nylon" thread (the really stretchy stuff used in sergers) - you can wind it by machine or the tension would be too taut. With this method of hemming you may need to loosen your bobbin tension to keep the hem from tunneling.
Hope this helps! Good luck...
2006-10-05 06:36:14 · answer #2 · answered by TyeDyePrincess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start off on basic cotton blend fabrics... I've been sewing for 15 years and I still avoid the stretchy stuff! Buy some of the really cheap stuff on the clearance table and just practice sewing straight seams. Use moderate speed at first and practice guiding the fabric through. Once you have that mastered you can move on to trickier stuff like curves and stretchy fabric! You also might have to change the pressure of the foot on your machine so that your fabric feeds through more evenly.
2006-10-04 23:52:07 · answer #3 · answered by amarie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Make sure your feed dogs are up. The fabric won't move through the machine otherwise. Also I would recommend finding a instruction book for the machine you have. Try the internet. I hope you get the hang of it because it is so much fun and very rewarding. Good luck.
2006-10-05 09:18:20 · answer #4 · answered by Nana Susie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest you get a book on sewing from a fabric store, such as Jo Ann's. The book will give you step by step instructions on sewing. They always have a trouble shooting section, that will help you out with most problems. You'll probably use the book, as a reference, 100's of times until you become more skillful sewer.
2006-10-05 02:17:31 · answer #5 · answered by Pat C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also had problems with strechy fabric. What helped me was to buy a ballneedle.I also learned more about sewing through using and following different patterns
2006-10-05 05:03:06 · answer #6 · answered by Rika 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask JoAnn store for help. Maybe they have a class to offer for beginners. I bought a serger and I havent the slightest how to use it, so i might have to take a class. :) Good luck.
2006-10-05 04:38:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋