Sewing Child Sleep Wear Outfit with Stretch Knit

2 replies [Last post]
Thu, 07/07/2011 - 22:51
debbieblack_rob...
User offline. Last seen 10 years 36 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 07/06/2011
Posts: 1

 Hello everyone, this is a great site......so much information.  This is just what I needed.  I am a new beginner and have benefited greatly from the online sewing videos.  One question I do have is this......I am in the process of sewing a child sleep wear outfit.  The pattern is from Mc Call's and it is an "Easy" pattern.......so says the labeling on the package.  I am not having any success and I believe it is because of the fabric I chose.  The back of the pattern says to use a "stretch knit"......well I did get a stretchy cotton knit and it does not seem to work well.  Are there any suggestions in the type of stretch knit I should use?  I am willing to go back and purchase different type of fabric if I need to.....please advise.

 

Thank you in advance for your response.

 

Debbie

 

Top
Sun, 08/14/2011 - 09:30
#1
jnjewel
User offline. Last seen 11 years 43 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 04/23/2011
Posts: 24
knit sewing

Hi Debbie,

I don't exactly know what problem you are having, but possibly the needle is too big.

You tend to think knit is loosely woven, but some knit, especially thin cotton knit won't let a big needle go through.  When that happens, since knit is stretchy, often the needle push the fabric into the whole, and get caught.   Also it's best to use a ballpoint needle than a sharp needle for knits so the needle slip through the wholes, not cutting through.   Try from size 11, then go lower if it doesn't work.

Also if you have the control, lower the foot pressure for the stretch fabric.   Stronger pressure cause the stretch fabric to stretch more, and the seam become wavy. 

You need to use small tiny zig-zag or thunder shape zig-zag to sew on the sewing machine.  If you use straight stitch, when you stretch to wear it, the seams pups open.   I stay away from the repeated straight stitch even though some manual tells it's for the stretchy fabric.   In my experience, the stretchy fabric wouldn't go back and forth nicely because of the stretch, and the seam doesn't look uneven.  This stitch works better on stabler fabric like double knit.   But again with thin knit, it can give you a headache.

After sewing, if you see wavy seam, steam with the steam iron, withoug pressing, just steaming over the area.  It tends to shrink the fabric back to the somewhat original state, then with the tip of iron, iron little by little, trying not to make creases.   This usually flatten the seam.

I hope this would help your project.  Once you get used to it, knit sewing is very forgiving, and the row edge doesn't unravel!!  The twin needle works great for the heming and the neckline.

Keep working on it head on!  Everyone learns from the mistakes, I definitely did : )

Jnjewel

 

 

Top
Wed, 07/20/2011 - 14:54
#2
Nehzat
User offline. Last seen 39 weeks 6 days ago. Offline
Instructor
Joined: 10/27/2007
Posts: 1026
Re: Child outfit using stretch knit

Dear Debbie,

Thanks so much for the kind words, and welcome to the site.

I am not really sure what you are having difficulty with. But if the problem is with keeping the layers together well, when sewing the seams by machine. Then I suggest that you pin the layers together first and then baste them by hand, before sewing by machine.

Make sure to use jersey needle for your machine as well.

 

Happy sewing,

Nehzat

 

Top