Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

[Carlie Wolf]

I got myself some brown and white striped ribbed knit to do an easy shirt pattern with. I've never worked with knits before. I watched a few utube videos on how to sew knits but I'm still having a problem.

No matter what I've tried so far, when I start a seam I'm in about 1/4 inch down the seam it does not advance and clogs.

I'm using a new ball point singer needle (supposedly for all brands) that says 100/16 and I'm doing a 5/8" seam allowance

I'm using bottom line 60 wt superior thread.

I'm using a (what I think is a wobble decorative stitch) which is #10 on my SE400. It's like a zig zag but does a couple of stitches as it zigs and zags, maybe one in between. I have it set to width - 2.0mm and length 1.8mm

Those little grids under the needle plate are up, not down

Fabric is Rib knit 96% polyester/4% lycra spandex with a 30% stretch.


I'm so disappointed I could cry. What am I doing wrong?????
Another question, I do see in some video's they are saying use some clear elastic or something when doing the seams. I'm not because it didn't appear it was a must. Is that what is wrong. Also naturally I don't have any clear elastic here, I'd have to buy it. Is there something else I could use? Like some embroidery stablizer or something?

Help!!!!

[Hulamoon]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

I used my serger for knits, but I did read that if you use tissue paper over the feed dogs it moves it along nicely. Try that first maybe.

[Carlie Wolf]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

Thanks :-) I'll try that. I don't have a serger unfortunately :-( but I do think I have some tissue paper around :-)

[liz72703]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

Carlie,

I had the exact same issue with my SE400. Every time I use that wobble stitch, my knit fabric gets stuck under the foot. I finally switched to the #10 stitch and have used it without any problems.

Liz

[liz72703]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

Opps, sorry I just reread your post! When mine was clogging I was using the #5 stitch. The #10 however, did work for me.

[Carlie Wolf]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

Liz, Hulamoon's suggestion using tissue paper seems to be working well

When you use the #10 stitch, what width and length settings are you using?

Also it appears to me that you have to run the stitching slower when doing knits then other types of sewing. Is that right?

[Hulamoon]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

I'm happy that worked! I looked up stitch length and found an article. She uses a walking foot. I never thought to do that. I was thinking of making some bike type shorts and didn't want to drag out my oversized serger for such a small project. I'm going to try that.

https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015...thout-a-serger

[liz72703]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

Carlie, glad to hear the tissue is working. I may try that with the #5 stitch!

When I use the #10 stitch I just leave it on the default settings.

[liz72703]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

This is the fabric I was sewing with... I didn't have to go slow, full speed ahead!

http://www.joann.com/knit-fabric-med.../14711287.html

[Carlie Wolf]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

This is the fabric I was sewing with... I didn't have to go slow, full speed ahead!

http://www.joann.com/knit-fabric-med.../14711287.html

Oh I REALLY like that fabric Liz.

[Carlie Wolf]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

I'm happy that worked! I looked up stitch length and found an article. She uses a walking foot. I never thought to do that. I was thinking of making some bike type shorts and didn't want to drag out my oversized serger for such a small project. I'm going to try that.

https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015...thout-a-serger

Great site Hulamoon, I bookmarked it.

I finished the shirt and it's a really comfortable fit. I'm very happy with it for a first knit.The stripes lined up well and while I thought it would be a nuisance turning in the 1/4" for the hems it turned out to be a breeze. I'm sure I'll do a couple of more of them since it's a pretty classic style.

For what's it's worth I did it in one of the Arch Style patterns. I liked several of the styles they had. Also loved on of the pairs of pants they had with wide easy pockets.The patterns were fairly pricey, running in the $15 range but they are heavy paper and will last a while. (I'll probably turn them into a muslin pattern before I have to throw them out). Some of their pattern instructions are a tad meager but if you've sewn clothes before it's pretty easy to figure out. I don't remember if they had any bike style shorts though but might be worth checking them out.

[liz72703]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

Me too! I sewed a maxi skirt out of it and it turned out so cute!!

[Snip Snip]

Re: Frustrated trying to sew knit fabric

I had tried sewing some knits making doll clothes, had lots of trouble. I took the hints on here, used the ball point needle and my walking foot, and I was pleased with the results. I used the stitch the instruction booklet for my singer suggested. I have been using tee shirts that are no longer worn. Cutting the pattern to utilize the hems that are already there. I have been experimenting using clothing to make doll clothes. Kind of fun to re-imagine . I am thinking a sleeve with cuff of a large shirt can be a skirt, using the snap on the cuff for the waist opening.... (Sorry, just thinking out loud)