More Tips for Sewing Knits

by erika on June 22, 2010

Knits do tend to be one of those fabrics that can make us a little nervous. A previous posting gave some tips on how to work with knit fabrics, but there's always more to know!

If you have followed some of the tips in that previous posting and are still having some difficulties, try using a walking foot or dual feeder for your seams and hems. When you use the walking foot, dual feed action prevents the fabric from stretching out and distorting your seams. However, it is important to choose stitches that only have forward motion. The reinforced straight stitch would be innapropriate in this case because it forms by going backwards and forwards. However, the Husqvarna Viking "lightning" stitch or a small zigzag would be fine for seams.

Of course, our favourite tool for working with knits is the serger. It trims the seams, keeps them even with differential and overcasts to give you a nice clean look. Plus, a serger stitch has built in stretch! Beautiful...

Check out Denver Fabrics for an in-depth description of different types of knit fabrics, and a handy stretch reference chart.

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