Hi Everyone! Today's post is all summed up in the video below :) I'm taking you into my sewing studio and demonstrating a few of the techniques I use when sewing with knit fabrics on a standard sewing machine. I'm using a Bernina 330 for this illustration. If you have questions about specific sewing machine models, we're ready to help! Georgette has joined us to moderate questions in the facebook group as well. She's worked for Quality Sewing for years and has a vast knowledge of many sewing machine brands models. So ask away... we're here to help!
If you have questions specific to this post and the topics mentioned here, please post them as comments to this Knit Hems and More FB post - Happy Sewing!
Topics covered (with minute marker timeline for easy reference):
- Intro
- @1:00 Sewing the shoulder seams and finishing options
- @3:18 Hemming the neckline
- @5:56 Working with knit sleeves
- @7:43 Finishing the armscye seam allowance
- @8:30 Finishing raw edges
- @9:50 Double turned hemline
- @14:54 Single fold hemline sewn with Twin Needle
- @20:30 Bonus - Coffee Filter as stabilizer (it works amazingly well!)
24 Comments
Sorry Cinnamon, I am very late watching this video. It is like magic when you steam the knit to help it shrink back. Remarkable! I have always avoided knits, too scared to work with it for fear of it getting sucked up into my machine.
This is for Pat. Cinnamon uses a regular size iron for sewing doll clothes.
I haven’t started my outfit yet, only cut it out. But -I did do a test with my fabric…my machine wanted to swallow it, so I put a coffee filter under the fabric…no problem at all. I might have to make my entire outfit that way.
@Carol- great idea for the stitch starter. @Cinnamom – it’s a knit, why do you need to finish or overcast fabric at side seams? Also, since it is a knit that doesn’t ravel, I only turn my hems once. I’ve never sewn with a double needle. After seeing your hem, I think I am ready to try it. Thank you!!
Cinnamon – Your expertise is so helpful, and watching you sew is illuminating! For example, I have struggled with zig zagging the edges of fabric pieces and now I see I have been setting my needle too far back from the edge. The thread curling around the edge is a GOOD thing. You would think I would have figured that out …. The iron on tape is going to be very useful, too. Thanks!