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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-15-2005, 09:02 AM (1 of 9)
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I rarely sew with knits anymore but I bought a beautiful sweater knit fabric for a top and wondered if anyone has tips for working with this stuff. Mine is rib knit and very stretchy (one way only). It does seem to have good memory even before and certainly after prewashing. What should I use to stabilize seams? I know I need something. I usually use the selvage from cotton but I think I need to buy a product for this one. I need something I can find at Joannes or Hancocks since that is about all I have readily available. I'd like to try to do it on the serger. Any ideas on settings to use? I don't know a lot about my serger either. On the up side -- I can sew. Sort of. Usually. Any other tips? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-17-2005, 12:48 PM (2 of 9)
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Dorothy, how about some of that narrow clear elastic for shoulder seams.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-17-2005, 03:01 PM (3 of 9)
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I really don't know Mary. Don't I want it not to stretch? I'm going to put that on my list and test it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: jenny-o
Date: 10-17-2005, 03:56 PM (4 of 9)
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Dorothy, the clear elastic is used so that your seams have stretch if they are pulled / stretched (ie putting it on) but will always snap back into place while your wearing it. You want your seams to be able to stretch but not stay stretched out (make sense?). If the seams are sewn so that they don't stretch you will end up breaking the threads when you are wearing it (ie. pulling it over your head). You should only need to stabilize the shoulders and use a knit stitch for the rest. The elastic shouldn't actually be stretched out while you wear it. Good luck. Jenny |
User: jenny-o
Member since: 08-28-2005 Total posts: 132 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-18-2005, 08:30 AM (5 of 9)
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That's what I'll do then. Should I use the serger with the elastic or just the sewing machine? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-18-2005, 08:49 AM (6 of 9)
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I'd sew it in the seamline with a stretch stitch on the machine (if you have one) and if you don't have that, I'd use a zig zag. You don't want to loose the benefit of the elastic. I don't know that I would stabilize the side seams. Stabilizing them could cause them to pucker as the sweater naturally stretches under its own weight. I'd use a machine with a stretch or zig zag on most of this. MY only concern is what will happen when it is cut? Will it start to unravel? You might want to cut your paper pattern out, lay it on the garment, trace the outside edge on the fabric with chalk, and then stitch around the outside edge of the whole sweater before you cut it just to make sure that it doesn't come undone when you cut it if this is an issue.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Sailorliz
Date: 10-18-2005, 08:55 AM (7 of 9)
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That's what I'll do then. Should I use the serger with the elastic or just the sewing machine? Dorothy Dorothy, I would use the serger. Follow this link and it shows how to sew & finish seams in knits with a serger. http://sewing.about.com/library/sewnews/library/aamach8.htm And here is another link about sewing with sweater knits. http://sewing.about.com/library/sewnews/library/aamach1002f.htm Happy sewing/quilting/crafting
Liz Visit my photo page http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sailorlizmi/albums |
User: Sailorliz
Member since: 07-20-2004 Total posts: 386 
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From: MaryW
Date: 10-18-2005, 09:26 AM (8 of 9)
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Thanks Liz, that is good info.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-18-2005, 04:06 PM (9 of 9)
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Thanks Liz -- I have the sites stashed so I can go back and study them just before I start this shirt. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
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