Hi Everyone! We'll be rounding out the month with a few extra tutorials focusing on finishing knit fabric edges without hemming. These are frequently my go to methods when working with delicate fabrics like sweater knits and sequined knits.
The patterns mentioned in the videos can be found here:
- LJ Rashguard (shown in the Secialty Knits video)
- LJ Slip Dress (shown in the FOE video)
- LJ T-shirt and Cropped Sweater (Shown in the Specialty Knits video)
In this video I'll show you a technique I use to hem any style knit tee. All you need is stretch lace 1/2" width or narrower if you can find it. The stretch lace adds stability while still allowing the hemline to stretch. Whenever I caome across narrow stretch lace, I load up on it!
You can also fold your hem so that a narrow edge of lace peeks out from the bottom along the base of the hemline (Shown in the Killara pattern, excerpt included here).
One other option is to use a narrow 1/4" lace and tuck it into the fold of the doube turned hem (shown in the WW Baseball T-Shirt pattern, excerpt included here - right click the image to save it)
How To Sew with Fold Over Elastic
In this video I'll show you how to sew fold over elastic (FOE) as a binding on a knit fabric. You can use this on a variety of fabric types as well. There are several examples of this used in patterns found on Pixie Faire - LJ SLip Dress, LJ Free Swimsuit, LUB Dainty Things and Days of the Week Panties/Cami. You can find FOE at a variety of places - in stores (like JoAnn Fabrics, or Hobby Lobby) as well as online (Search Etsy or look in the baby daiper making supplies, there's lots of cute FOE with that stuff!)
Sewing With Specialty Knit Fabrics
In this video I'll show you some examples of sewing on swim knit and sewing on a sequined fabric. I've found that sewing with these delicate types of fabrics just requires a bit of patience, and testing to get it right. Be sure to use a new sharp stretch needle (or a ball point needle), I find that this works best. I've used a regular twin needle on the FOE and it works great. If you can find a stretch twin needle, that works well too! For the swim knit, a stretch twin needle is a must, a regular twin needle tends to skip stitches.
I hope these tips and techniques have given you confidence to sew with knits! I'd love to see what you've made :) Share your projects wit the group under this Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithCinnamon/permalink/652252744967767/
Happy Sewing!
Cinnamon
18 Comments
Thanks Cinnamon for posting these videos! I was doing it wrong with FOE, thanks for showing the right way.
Thank you so much for all the many classes you have given. I know at the age of 70 that there is till so much for me to learn about sewing. Of all the classes you have given, I am sure that Sewing With Cinnamon will be my very favorite. I really like focusing on one aspect a month and I have learned a great deal about sewing knits this month. You are the best.
Thank you so much for the month of knits and the different techniques for sewing them. Thank you for forming this group.
Thank you, Cinnamon for the informative videos. I cannot wait to make some tops using specialty knits! I used to shy away from such fabric, but I am now ready to tackle Knit fabrics!
I was trying to download the videos for further viewing but I’m having trouble with the FOB Binding, I keep getting the Stretch Lace again am I doing something wrong? On a brighter note, I love Tuesdays, I look so forward to learning yet another of your tricks of the trade. Thanks so much for this opportunity and your gift of sharing.