There was a discussion in my Facebook Group recently where some ladies were saying how they find sewing with knit fabric difficult because fabric either gets jammed down in the feed dogs at the beginning of sewing (see my blog – Is your sewing machine eating your fabric when you sew? for tips on this) or it stretches so much the garment goes all out of shape.
I knew the lady who started the conversation had my Trendy Transformable Top pattern so I directed her to one of the step-by-step videos that accompany this pattern as in this video I shared a great tip that helps prevent the fabric from stretching when hemming knit fabric and this same technique can also be used when sewing a seam.
Because there was so much discussion about this, I decided to share this part of my video in a blog in the hope that it helps many of you become more confident when sewing with knit fabric.
Let me know if this helps and please if you have other tips, feel free to share them in the comments below.
Happy sewing
Thank you. Very helpful info. I never thought of doing this. and I do have lots of tearaway scraps that I could be using.
My pleasure Dori. I’d love to hear how you go when you give it a try.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful tip, sewing with the tear away for knits…..I will be using this method with a whole heaps more confidence now!….
My pleasure Carole. I’m sure you’ll be sewing with knits more often now.
I like to use the round, paper coffee filters (Mr. Coffee) for the same thing you are using the tear away for. I usually tear them in half, if I want to use them as you have in your video, or just tear smaller pieces to start seams where the fabric might get caught up in the needle plate. We have dollar stores here in the States, so I can get a whole package for one dollar. Yay!!!
Great alternative Jo. Thanks for sharing.
I also use tissue wrapping paper when I don’t have tear away.
Another awesome alternative Ann, thanks for sharing.
Should I also be using a certain needle?
Great question Therese. Yes, when sewing knits you should be using either a ball point or a stretch needle – Ballpoints for knits, stretch for anything with a lot of elastic/lycra but I have also used the stretch needles when sewing normal knits. Experiment and see which works best for the fabric you are using.
Thanks so much, Rosie for the great tip on sewing knits. They can be intimidating, but very rewarding to use, and easier to sew when using the tips and tricks you provide on your site. I plan to sew with some knits for April’s Share and Tell now that I feel more confident, thanks to you.
My pleasure Pat and I’m thrilled that you are feeling more confident now. Can’t wait to see what you create for our April Sew-Along. 🙂
Once again Rosie you have many ladies happy. I have always steered clear of knits maybe now I will give it a try. Thank you for your help
My pleasure Maureen. Do let me know how you go if you give this a try. 🙂