Sewing stretchy material?

Question

I have been trying to sew stretchy material but every time I sew the threads just bobble on the surface instead of creating a neat line of sewing. I don't think it is a problem with my machine because it is brand new. I have sewn before but never with stretchy material. My mum suggested that I buy a specific needle for stretchy material. Do you think this will solve the problem or is there something else I should be doing as well.

Answer 1

- Use a Ball Point Needle. The rounded tip slips between the fibers. Make sure the needle is installed properly.

- Use a zig zag stitch. This stitch stretches when the fabric stretches. If you sew with a straight stitch, the stitches will not stretch and the stitches will be forced to break when the seam is pulled on.

- Mess around with scraps a lot before you start the real thing.

Answer 2

If your thread is bobbling, you may not have the bobbin all the way into the bobbin case. Make sure you load it with the thread tail coming out into your left hand. Get it all the way into the slot, then insert the bobbin case into the machine. Pull up the bobbin thread by hand before you begin, and grab both thread tails so they won't tangle as you begin to sew. Use a zig zag stitch and a ball point needle. With stretchy material, stretch it front and back as your sew, which is tricky because you don't want to be pulling the material through. It takes a lot of advanced techniques.

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Answer 3

What type of stretchy fabric? If it pure lycra for dancewear or swimwear, you should use thread made for that application and a thinner needle. If it is something like jersey cotton, you don't need to do anything special. Check your thread tension and also how you are holding the fabric. It is easy to stretch the fabric more or less while sewing which can lead to messy stitches. Also, depending on the material of your feed dogs, you often have to pull the material more than normal so it doesn't get 'stuck' for extra stitches under the presser foot.

Hope this is helpful.

Answer 4

Ballpoint needles work best with stretchy fabric. If you can't find those, use a Universal needle. Stretch the fabric ever so slightly while you sew and use a narrow zig-zag or stretch stitch if possible. Stop by FrugalSewing.com - they talk about this kind of thing there too.

Answer 5

You should use a zig-zag stitch on a standard sewing machine for best results. Have a mess about on scrap fabric with different stitches and sizes.

I wasnt aware that a different needle would make any difference??

I studied fashion/ sewing at uni and we always used specialised sewing machines for stitching strectchy fabric.

Personally I choose never to sew with stretchy fabric at home as I am never able to achieve a smooth seam.

Answer 6

Hi stretchy fabrics a real pain to sew - ideally if you have an overlocker use this and try and keep the pieces you're sewing as flat as possible. I agree that you should flick through the manual - it may suggest a different foot to use if you sewing machine came with interchangable feet.

Answer 7

From what I remember from my Textiles GCSE when sewing stretchy material you have to stretch it out as far as possible and then sew it. Also there are some good sewing websites out there-so try googling it as well.

Hope this helps!

Answer 8

Yes, you need a new needle and use a different stich. Read the manual about what needle and stich to use for what fabrics, I don't know the setting on your machine to tell you. Stretchy fabrics are a pain sometimes, you have to be patient working with them, even after you get the new needle.

Answer 9

It should only strech one way, and you are supposed to sew along the part that does not stretch.

Answer 10

Try a ballpoint needle