lvs2sew
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IA USA
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Date: 4/16/12 2:33 AM Hello, I am wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks for ironing knit fabric? I've so much trouble with the sides/ends of the fabric it wont iron flat it keeps curling and its a pain due to that much of the fabric cant be used. If anyone can give me some pointers on how to iron knit fabric flat would be great. thanks so much  ------
"My husband said if I buy any more (fabric) he would leave me - I'll miss him." |
diane s
Intermediate
OR USA
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Date: 4/16/12 12:04 PM Jerseys are the knits that curl. I use lots of plain old spray starch and the iron to help with the curling edges. ------
My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since. |
NhiHuynh
 
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Date: 4/16/12 12:40 PM If the selvedge is super curly and bunchy I cut it off. Is the edge is curly I put some weights on it. I don't think ironing is neccessary. |
Coconuts
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MI USA
Member since 12/2/09
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Date: 4/16/12 1:13 PM Ironing won't help, but starching it will- you can use the canned spray starch or the Arrowhead (or something similar- it's sold in a bright yellow tub) corn starch has a recipe on the side of the tub to make your own. |
marjoriekh
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VA USA
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Date: 4/16/12 1:19 PM I find that with cotton jerseys (single knits) that curl, ironing tends to make it curl more, at least for me.
If you are cutting your curling jersey in a double layer, pinning the edges together, with the pins perpendicular to the edge, can help in the cutting stage. (As can using lots of pins perpendicular to the seamline when sewing.)
Haven't tried starch -- but must get some, since I also have some georgette and some rayon challis that I've read starch will help stabilize for cutting.
Another thing I haven't tried, but that has occurred to me, is to machine baste the folded length of fabric together before pre-washing any knit that has a tendency to curl. (The curling is often much worse after pre-teating.) I could baste both selvedge and cut edges together, using two rows of stitching 1/2 inch apart, being careful that my fold is on-grain. Then it's possible, depending on what effect any shrinkage has, that I could just cut from the basted, folded fabric later without removing the basting. ------
marjoriekh |
simplystitches
Intermediate
NY USA
Member since 2/12/06
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Date: 4/16/12 2:05 PM Starch it to control the curl before cutting and as soon as you finish cutting out your garment starch the edges of the cut pieces again. The cross grain is usually the worst and if it's curling now it will definately curl when cut! Starch right side up or else you'll be fighting it wanting to curl under on the edges.
Starching is a bit of a pain but it has benefits. It makes it easier to cut and if you starch the cut pieces it stabilizes the edges and gives the fabric a bit of body and makes it easier to sew IMHO.
Debbie |
Elona
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Date: 4/16/12 2:19 PM Great tips about starching these sometimes difficult knits, Debbie! |
lvs2sew
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IA USA
Member since 4/25/09
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Date: 4/17/12 3:02 AM Thank you everyone for the tips I will diffidently get a can of starch and give that a try heck anything is worth trying :) ------
"My husband said if I buy any more (fabric) he would leave me - I'll miss him." |
Mrs4Him
Advanced Beginner
MO USA
Member since 7/19/09
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Date: 4/17/12 11:01 AM I've never used spray starch and a little nervous to do so. Does it leave any kind of stain on the fabric?--I would think it wouldn't seeing that lots of people use it. How does it spray out--land on the fabric like a liquid sort of? ------
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marjoriekh
Intermediate
VA USA
Member since 8/28/10
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Date: 4/17/12 11:06 AM Mrs4Him, I've just been asking about it here, since I've been a little nervous about it, too. Lots of tips are pouring in.
I understand it washes out of washable fabrics. I think you do have to be somewhat careful not to scorch it, though. ------
marjoriekh |
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