I'm just starting to sew using knit materials and wondering if someone can share some tips with me. The materials seem to get punched down in between my feed dogs, especially when just starting a seam. Help!
2007-11-14 11:35:45 · 8 answers · asked by bfwh218 4 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Always use ballpoint needles and pins when using knits. Do not use cheap thread.
Do not pull fabric through the needle but use both hands., the left at the back and right at the front., guiding it through in quick spurts. Always test your fabric with a scrap first until you get the stitch length and tension just right. Here is a link for you to check out.My best advice is to get a sewing book for knits. I have one by Nancy Zeman and I refer to it every time I sew knits. It's the little hints that we take for granted that make it worthwhile. The library has a large selection of sewing books and you could browse and find the right one for you.
2007-11-14 12:17:32 · answer #1 · answered by Donna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one thing, start about 3/4" in from the edge when starting a seam. The fabric gets shoved down under the feed dogs because it's not stable that close to the edge. Once you've started your seam, reverse a little to within about 1/4" of the edge, and then go forward again. That's what I do when sewing with knits, see if it works for you.
If your machine has an adjustable-pressure presser foot, lighten the pressure when sewing knits. If not, use great patience and don't pull your fabric. The tissue paper (very cheap now, around the Christmas shopping season) is an excellent idea, too. Some knits will actually need tissuing on both sides. It's a pain, but well worth the effort if you like wearing well-made knits.
2007-11-14 13:47:13 · answer #2 · answered by thejanith 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This late in the game the only way to finish is to knit every waking moment. There are techniques for improving speed, but in the middle of a project is not the time to start practicing them because it will change your gauge. There are patterns that are faster, whole projects that are faster, yarns that are faster, but you've already selected those. So all that is left is to buckle down and knit non-stop. I'm a fairly fast knitter. I probably knit 4-8 hours per day. I'd still allow at least a month minimum to do a sweater for an adult. For me, that would mean a bare minimum of 12 hours of knitting every day until Christmas to have any hope of completing it. I also know, from trying exactly this, that it never, ever gets done on time when you're up against a time crunch like this one, because you always overestimate how much time you have to knit and how much you can get done in that time. It's like a knitting law or something. If it were me, at this point in the game, I'd give a gift certificate for a handknit sweater and let her choose the pattern or color or something, then knit it after Christmas. I remember a question like this in high school physics about driving a car. I don't remember the numbers, but the driver had gone a certain distance too slowly and had to make up time and the question was how fast did he have to go to complete the journey on time. And the answer was "faster than the speed of light." That's about where you are now.
2016-05-23 04:50:53 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To stop the bunching at the beginning of a seam, start your needle on a doubled up scrap of fabric (any kind) and "run on" to the fabric you are sewing. Once your seam is started, do a couple of reverse stitches and continue forward. You can "chain piece" your seams this way and not have to deal with the beginning bunch. Also, if you keep one hand behind and the other in front of the presser foot and give your seam a very slight stretch as you stitch, that will keep it from getting caught up on your feed dogs.
The tissue paper for stabilizer under the seam is a very good suggestion.
2007-11-14 15:54:23 · answer #4 · answered by kckt98 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cut strips of paper and put that under the material when you are starting to sew a seam. Use a stitch that will 'pull out' easily so the mateiral doesn't 'bunch' ... and be sure that you use the paper under the whole seam ... you can just tear the paper off, and you'll have a BEAUTIFUL seam left behind.
2007-11-14 11:39:31 · answer #5 · answered by Kris L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a knit needle for sewing machine. Put tissue paper (like the paper on patterns) & pin with material close to foot.
2007-11-14 11:39:36 · answer #6 · answered by Carole Q 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I promised I'd never sew a stretch knit again. It's really frustrating. Newer machines have stretch stitch and adjustments for the settings. Mine doesn't. Sorry not much help.
2007-11-14 11:41:10 · answer #7 · answered by Frogleena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hand-based some interfacing to both pieces so the feed dogs and presser foot won't get tangled in the knit. Later you can take away the interfacing.
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2007-11-15 02:37:42 · answer #8 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋