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From: NeedleWorker
Date: 08-22-2006, 05:48 PM (1 of 7)
| Hello to all, I am trying to sew with spandex. I am using elastic thread in the bobbin and polyester thread on the top. Spandex is like a snake it won't stay still. I keep getting these ripples and puckers all the way down the seem. I switched to the even feed foot and still ripples and puckers. Please tell me what I am doing wrong.... Thanks Yvette |
User: NeedleWorker
Member since: 04-05-2006 Total posts: 13 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 08-22-2006, 09:44 PM (2 of 7)
|
Hi. I'm sure someone will post with more for you, but I'll get you started with what I have. I took a short course with Jan Bones, a lingerie patternmaker, who talked a great deal about swimsuits and jog bras. She never did mention using elastic thread. The biggest point she made was to use a narrow zigzag stitch, if you don't have a serger, and stretch the fabric slightly as you sew it. Some swear by double needles for spandex, and others swear against it. Me? I'm just reporting what I've heard, b/c I haven't tried spandex sewing yet. Good luck! What are you making?
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: sewingcybermom
Date: 08-25-2006, 04:48 PM (3 of 7)
|
HI. All i do is sew with lycras and spandex fabrics. I design and create skating, dance, and performancewear fashions. I use my sergers with regular serger cone threads. It is really hard to create stretch garments from lycra and a straight sewing machine. If this is all you have available, you could try a small, short zigzag stitch to prevent your seam from "popping" after your garment is finished. It is almost impossible to make a sturdy garment on a straight machine out of lycras. You almost always get a ripple while sewing. You can check if your machine lets you decrease the pressure on your preser foot while you sew your seams. You do not need elastic bobbin or top thread. Never heard of this in all my years of working with lycra. If anything you could try wooly nylon thread, but you should wind your bobbin by hand if you do this. Good luck. If this is something you are interested in doing, you should really consider getting a serger. The look is really professional and it will be worth it's weight in gold after you learn how easy it is! Hope this helps, Dee See some of my work here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ce%20costumes/ |
User: sewingcybermom
Member since: 01-18-2006 Total posts: 58 
|
From: AngieM2
Date: 08-26-2006, 12:57 AM (4 of 7)
|
A little different view. I've been doing ice skating costumes since 1989 with only a regular sewign machine. I've always used good polyester threads and a very narrow zigzag for the seams, and then a second zig zag seam. I have some that have gone thru 3 or 4 ice skaters for practice outfits. The competition ones have not come apart either. I just have not yet learned to trust a serger only for the seams. But never ever have used elastic thread in a machine. AngieM2 |
User: AngieM2
Member since: 03-14-2005 Total posts: 24 |
From: bluebirdie
Date: 08-26-2006, 08:05 PM (5 of 7)
|
I make undergarments and active wear with stretchy cotton (or blend) knit and lace. I find that wooly nylon works just fine in the bobbin on sewing machines, or the loopers on the serger. I've always wanted to try spandex and elastic thread but never did because I heard they're hard to work with. I wonder if wooly nylon would work for spandex too since wooly seems easier to work with.
- Robin
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User: bluebirdie
Member since: 03-12-2006 Total posts: 139 |
From: moon
Date: 08-26-2006, 10:30 PM (6 of 7)
| The dress is bautiful! You did a fantastic job! What a beautiful couple! |
User: moon
Member since: 07-10-2006 Total posts: 16 |
From: sewingcybermom
Date: 08-29-2006, 01:17 PM (7 of 7)
|
I want to see the dress too! Yep, you can and many do skating and lycra garments with a straight machine vs. the serger, but man you are wasting valuable time! Try your serger....you'll never go back! It's easy and things look really great! See some of my work here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ce%20costumes/ |
User: sewingcybermom
Member since: 01-18-2006 Total posts: 58
|
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