{"id":2422,"date":"2011-09-10T06:10:36","date_gmt":"2011-09-10T10:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/keepsakecrafts.net\/blog\/?p=2422"},"modified":"2014-10-09T10:22:30","modified_gmt":"2014-10-09T14:22:30","slug":"sewing-with-knit-fabrics-a-primer-part-3-of-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keepsakecrafts.net\/blog\/2011\/09\/10\/sewing-with-knit-fabrics-a-primer-part-3-of-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Sewing With Knit Fabrics, A Primer – Part 3 of 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today we have the third and final installment\u00a0of our three part series, A Primer on Sewing with Knit Fabrics. If you missed Part One, you can find it here<\/a>; Part Two is here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sewing with knits<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Many folks who have been frustrated when sewing with knits find there are just two simple changes they need to put into practice.\u00a0 These often make all the difference in the world in their ease of sewing and happiness with the finished garment.<\/p>\n

They are:<\/p>\n

1. Use a ball point or a stretch needle (size 75\/11 or 80\/12 is usually just right for jersey and slinky knits)\"sewing-with-knits-ball-point-needles\"<\/p>\n

Notice that I only have one needle left, that’s because I’ve been doing a LOT of sewing with knits.<\/p>\n

2. Instead of sewing with a straight stitch, use the very smallest zigzag stitch your machine will do.<\/p>\n

\"sewing-with-knits-zigzag-stitch_0\"<\/p>\n

The top row of stitching is a straight stitch, the bottom row is a slight\u00a0zigzag.\u00a0 When the seams are pressed open, you cannot tell the difference.<\/p>\n

The rationale for each:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. When sewing with knits you want the needle to slide between the threads of the fabric rather than pierce them; this is what a rounded, or ball point, needle will do. (If the needle pierces the threads it causes runs, snags and skipped stitches.)<\/li>\n
  2. Since your fabric has stretch, so your seams need to stretch.\u00a0 (Ever hear that dreadful \u201cpopping\u201d sound when you pull a knit top over your head?\u00a0 That\u2019s because the seams didn\u2019t stretch along with the fabric and the threads broke.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This very slightest of zigzags looks and feels like a straight stitch, but has just a bit of stretch.\u00a0 Many machines have special \u201cstretch\u201d stitches, but I have yet to find one I like as much as just a simple small zigzag. By all means, experiment with what your machine can do<\/p>\n

    So there you have it, sewing with knits is easy, and the finished garments are comfy and fun to wear.\u00a0 Just keep in mind:<\/p>\n

      \n
        \n
      • Pick the right fabric for the right pattern<\/li>\n
      • Cut out with care<\/li>\n
      • Use a ball point or stretch needle<\/li>\n
      • Sew with a stretch stitch, such as a small zigzag<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ol>\n

        Now, I want to see all the knit garments ya\u2019ll are going to make!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Today we have the third and final installment\u00a0of our three part series, A Primer on Sewing with Knit Fabrics. If you missed Part One, you can find it here; Part Two is here. Sewing with knits Many folks who have been frustrated…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,186],"tags":[416,415,417,380],"class_list":["post-2422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sewing","category-tutorials","tag-knit-clothing","tag-knit-garments","tag-sewing-knit-fabric","tag-sewing-with-knits"],"yoast_head":"\nSewing With Knit Fabrics, A Primer - Part 3 of 3<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Part Three of Sewing With Knit Fabrics, A Primer. 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Crafting, sewing and making things with my hands have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I\u2019ve often been asked to teach my crafts, and have found I love doing so. My online tutorials, in PDF and video, as far as I\u2019m concerned, are the ultimate teaching tools. Be sure to subscribe so you don\u2019t miss a thing. It\u2019s my hope that with every post you will come away enriched and inspired to take what you\u2019ve learned and make it your own. If I do that, I consider myself successful.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/keepsakecrafts.net\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/KeepsakeCraftsCreate\/\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sandysewin\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/sandysewin\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/keepsakecraftssandyhuntress\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Sewing With Knit Fabrics, A Primer - Part 3 of 3","description":"Part Three of Sewing With Knit Fabrics, A Primer. 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