Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
  • Need Help from all the experienced seamstresses >
  • Need Help from all the experienced seamstresses

  • Need Help from all the experienced seamstresses

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:30 AM
      #1  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Panther Creek Quilting's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: Central Missouri Backwoods
    Posts: 788
    Default

    I have sewn all my life....well since I was 8. I have made all kinds of clothing for everyone. My mother was great to teach me all the ins and outs......BUT she swore that a person would be crazy to sew anything knit.

    Herein lies the problem. I have a7 year old daughter that refuses to wear jeans. That is fine with me but she hates anything that doesn't have stretch to it. I would love to sew her some tunic tops and leggings or knit pants.

    First any hints when sewing knits? Tips? Tricks?

    Second I am having problems finding patterns for a young girl. Any ideas of where to start. McCalls, Simplicity and such seem to have on style and one pattern each.

    I would appreciate your help and thank you

    Sheila
    Panther Creek Quilting is offline  
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:40 AM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Grama Lehr's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jun 2009
    Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
    Posts: 4,783
    Default

    I used to agree with your mom, but now I love sewing on knits! What kind of machine do you have? Does it have a setting for knits? Make sure that you use it!! ;) Or use a wonky stitch, the zig- zag stitch, that looks almost straight. Mc Calls and Simplicity both have darling patterns just for knits for children. Look at the stretch requirement on the side. Put in a brand new needle, for knits or stretch fabric. Be careful cutting your pattern, use pins for knit fabric. Once you get the hang of it, you will love sewing with stretchy fabric.
    You can PM me if I can be of more help. :?
    Grama Lehr is offline  
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:41 AM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2010
    Location: Outer Space
    Posts: 9,319
    Default

    I use my serger for knits.
    Candace is offline  
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:45 AM
      #4  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: May 2008
    Location: MN
    Posts: 24,666
    Default

    Kwik Sew and Stretch and Sew both make multi-sized patterns for knit fabrics.

    One can sew knits with a straight stitch machine. Use a longer (maybe 8 to an inch) stitch and gently stretch the fabric while sewing it. When it relaxes, there is some stretch in the seam.

    In fact, Ann Person came up with that technique.

    Sewing with a zigzag stitch is easier, and sewing with a serger is the easiest, but one can make garments with a straight stitch only machine.
    bearisgray is offline  
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:47 AM
      #5  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Panther Creek Quilting's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: Central Missouri Backwoods
    Posts: 788
    Default

    Originally Posted by Grama Lehr
    I used to agree with your mom, but now I love sewing on knits! What kind of machine do you have? Does it have a setting for knits? Make sure that you use it!! ;) Or use a wonky stitch, the zig- zag stitch, that looks almost straight. Mc Calls and Simplicity both have darling patterns just for knits for children. Look at the stretch requirement on the side. Put in a brand new needle, for knits or stretch fabric. Be careful cutting your pattern, use pins for knit fabric. Once you get the hang of it, you will love sewing with stretchy fabric.
    You can PM me if I can be of more help. :?
    I have a Brother SE 350. Not sure if it has a setting for knits in particular, but will check that out in my manual. Now when you mention look for the stretch requirements, what do you mean? Does the pattern state that the knit material have a certain amount of stretch? if so does the bolt state that this material has XXX amount of stretch?

    I may keep you on speed PM. I would like to get a few outfits done soon, but may have to wait til after Christmas.
    Panther Creek Quilting is offline  
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:48 AM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Aug 2009
    Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
    Posts: 7,014
    Default

    Sewing knits is not really that bad. Follow the ideas suggested by Grama and Bear and you will be fine. I made all of my daughter's pants when she was young because she was so skinny, nothing fit. There are tons of great patterns and fabrics out there.

    In answer to your question about stretch requirements, look on the pattern envelope. You should see a bar that says something like "a four inch piece of fabric should stretch to here". That is the stretch gauge.
    Lisa_wanna_b_quilter is offline  
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:51 AM
      #7  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Panther Creek Quilting's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: Central Missouri Backwoods
    Posts: 788
    Default

    Okay just looked and I do have a stitch setting for stretch knits. I am really excited about trying this now.
    Panther Creek Quilting is offline  
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:55 AM
      #8  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Panther Creek Quilting's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: Central Missouri Backwoods
    Posts: 788
    Default

    Originally Posted by Lisa_wanna_b_quilter
    Sewing knits is not really that bad. Follow the ideas suggested by Grama and Bear and you will be fine. I made all of my daughter's pants when she was young because she was so skinny, nothing fit. There are tons of great patterns and fabrics out there.

    In answer to your question about stretch requirements, look on the pattern envelope. You should see a bar that says something like "a four inch piece of fabric should stretch to here". That is the stretch gauge.
    Well I understand the nothing fits issue. Think that is the main problem with the jeans. She is so long waited that when she sits it pinches in all the horrible places. She is tall but because of her long waist her legs seem to short for the size she needs. I end up cutting off 3 or 4 inches on anything we buy. So I thought why not make something that is perfect for her.

    I will look for the stretch gauge and will try and find some help instore if I am confused there.

    Really excited that this may be possible. I love my mom but this is something she would never tackle (mind you only thing I can think of that she avoided).

    Sheila
    Panther Creek Quilting is offline  
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:56 AM
      #9  
    Junior Member
     
    emptyshellamy's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Nov 2010
    Location: PA
    Posts: 193
    Default

    It's really not too bad. I used to make my girls tons of little knit dresses, t-shirts & even bathing suits. It's possible without a serger. Sometimes it's easier to do hems (that tend to get wavy) with a strip of super thin interfacing in them. Having some neutral rib knits on hand for collars, cuffs & waistbands is nice too, if you can find them. If something gets wavy use lots of steam, it'll correct lots of things. And a little extra time to topstitch does wonders.
    emptyshellamy is offline  
    Old 12-08-2010, 07:57 AM
      #10  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Panther Creek Quilting's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2009
    Location: Central Missouri Backwoods
    Posts: 788
    Default

    Oh just thought of another question. Do I have to go back and zigzag the raw edges to "finish" them?
    Panther Creek Quilting is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    SavedByGrace
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    9
    04-29-2016 04:42 PM
    thrums
    Links and Resources
    0
    01-10-2016 09:55 AM
    SteveH
    For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
    12
    12-22-2013 08:19 PM
    SevenupinNC
    Main
    9
    11-04-2013 06:52 AM
    AFQSinc
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    13
    09-15-2011 07:07 AM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter