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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: pucktricks
Date: 06-09-2006, 11:21 AM (1 of 13)
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I'm wanting to start making cothes for my boys, but don't particularly sewing with knits. So, do ya'll make T-shirts, or what for your kids? Right now I'm thinking of making button ups or snap shirts (easier that trying to pull a t-shirt over their big head). But, I'm curious what ya'll do. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
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From: fairymom
Date: 06-09-2006, 11:25 AM (2 of 13)
I like to sew with cotton...not knits. I HATE sewing anything stretch but unfortunatly with my pageant wear I have to make things with it  Angie |
User: fairymom
Member since: 10-22-2005 Total posts: 18 |
From: kdgteacher
Date: 06-09-2006, 01:43 PM (3 of 13)
| I like cotton fabric for short/pants and buy matching t-shirts to applique, airbrush or paint free-hand. I have only made a few snap(button covers) shirts. My son is 3 and still has trouble buttoning. I buy the "easy" patterns and then embellish them. How old is your son/sons? I'd love to bounce ideas back and forth. I like to make both boutique like and easy to wear clothing. Felicia |
User: kdgteacher
Member since: 01-11-2006 Total posts: 45 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 06-09-2006, 03:24 PM (4 of 13)
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I have twin 15 month old boys. I have the Kwik Sew for Babies book, and was going to try a couple of shirts from that, but like I said they mostly talked about using knits. Ticia |
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570
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From: LauraM62
Date: 06-10-2006, 08:12 AM (5 of 13)
There was a time I mostly used cottons, but that was moons ago  as my oldest is now in college. My youngest though is 6. She gets the blessed that mom is now more comfortable with a variety of fabrics. Knits really are great they make great easy to wear clothing. Cottons make some nice dressier clothing. I like the stretch cottons, and/or light weight shirtings and/or poplins that contain a small amount of lycra within the cotton. I've been making swimsuits as of late for her, she now has 2 Lizzie McGuire Tankinis, and 2 Kwik Sew Tanks for the summer - we swim allot! As soon as I get pics of the suits I'll post links.
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
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From: toadusew
Date: 06-10-2006, 08:22 AM (6 of 13)
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I sew for my 2 year old grandson and I prefer working with cotton or cotton poly fabrics myself. I've made him some cute button up shirts--sort of the camp style- with matching shorts and hats. McCall's has a pattern that I really like with the shirt, shorts, and a do-rag pattern, which is really cute. Unfortunately, my grandson won't wear hats! In the past, I've made matching shirt/shorts sets for him, but my daughter requested that I make some solid shorts and print shorts for more variety. Hmmm....I could make some solid shirts with print shorts. That would be fun to embellish the shirts and they could also have more than one outfit out of just a few garments. I also like the idea that someone else mentioned of making some shorts and buying t-shirts to embellish. |
User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: smith972
Date: 06-10-2006, 08:55 AM (7 of 13)
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This year my 4 year old only needed shirts for summer so in addtion to making some t-shirts i also made some out of athletic mesh...they were very very easy to make and the boy loves them..... Jada |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-10-2006, 04:14 PM (8 of 13)
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I love making t-shirts.. in the first place, that is one reason I bought my serger. I have had it more than 15 years now.. I can sew a t-shirt in less than 30 minutes.. and that includes banding the neck and hemming sleeves and tail on my coverstitch machine..My grands love them and i just make them longer for sleep shirts or dorm shirts for all the females that I gift.. This gives me extra time to be creative in other areas of my sewing.. When my first GS was having his first birthday, I made him 4 t-shirts and 4 pr shorts to match for a total of $ 3.25.. That left me enough money to buy him a little wooden riding scooter with high rise handlebars that he and 4 other kids enjoyed for several years..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Butterflyrf71
Date: 06-10-2006, 08:01 PM (9 of 13)
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So, my machine comes with "serge" and "overlock" stitches, and a special foot to finish and cut seams at the same time. I know a sewing machine, but I know nothing about a serger. What is the difference? Will my mahcine with the serger and overlock stitches and special foot do the same thing if I only want to do t-shirts or knit shirts?
You Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm, and place their trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, AV
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User: Butterflyrf71
Member since: 05-02-2006 Total posts: 257 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-12-2006, 12:01 PM (10 of 13)
I do not know the answer. Why don't you do some testing on samples of the knit fabrics and see ?? My machine does not handle the very soft knits very well even with a knit or ballpoint needle in place, especially on the cross grain.. But, all machines are different and since yours even has a cutter, maybe it is made to handle all knits.. Testing is the only way I know to find out.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: mommydionne
Date: 06-12-2006, 06:27 PM (11 of 13)
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I sew knits all the time, they can be a bit more forgiving at times compared to wovens. One thing I often do is decrease my presser foot pressure, otherwise it will try to stretch the knit as it goes through the feed dogs, a narrow zig zag works for most seams and I twin needle hem a lot with a 4mm needle. I usually just grab a universal needle for kiddie stuff. But if you have a serger forget all that  and just use the serger, faster, neater and with differential feed sooooo much better, just do a test strip first to set the differential and stitch length.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: Nina Christen
Date: 06-12-2006, 10:30 PM (12 of 13)
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I like to use good quality knits for childrens' clothing. If the child is still in diapers and a crotch opening is needed, I use gripper snappers as the closing.A good quality twill works well for pants and shorts. When my youngest Grandson was baptized he wore a little white one piece sailor suit I made and trimmed with some light blue ribbed cotton knit. I made a little sailor hat too, he looked so cute. The style of suit was a romper, with short legs. I found a piece of cotton knit with a nap on one side and a smooth finish on the other. It had been in my stash for a long time and it finally got used. The piece was originally purchased for a sweatshirt. I prefer a cotton/poly blend, 80/20 works well. When sewing with a knit try different size needles and tension on the presser foot on a scrap of the same fabric until you are satisfied with how the seam looks. I used to think a less expensive fabric was the way to go, (I am cheap) . That was not a good choice, the finished garment does not hold up and looks worn out much sooner. Shop around and get the best fabric you can afford. The other members posting to this have given some great ideas. Hopefully you will find something here that helps you make a decision on fabric. Good luck, Nina
Gmanina
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User: Nina Christen
Member since: 05-02-2003 Total posts: 36 
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From: Liz31
Date: 06-13-2006, 11:55 PM (13 of 13)
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I use alot of cotton. It is so much easier to work with. The downside is all the ironing. (It wrinkles everytime its laundered) Liz |
User: Liz31
Member since: 04-29-2006 Total posts: 12 |
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