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How do you topstitch knits?
robin623 Intermediate Member since 6/7/12 Posts: 5	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/14/12 5:24 AM I know many of you coverstitch. I don't have a desire to buy or use one. A single straight stitch always looks best for me and I've never had a problem with it breaking. Maybe it's because I make my neck openings big enough so they don't need to stretch much. I feel like it's not professional though so I don't know if I should sell anything like that. That's why I use RTW shirts in my outfits but I want to start creating and selling with some of my cute knit print stash. My double stretch needle never looks good. I don't know what I'm doing wrong but I get that puckering between the stitches. Sometimes I don't topstitch at all which looks fine as long as it's ironed. I tried doing a zig zag tonight and it looks okay. I can't get any topstitching to work on stretchy baby nay or baby lulu. Even some I have that were coverstitched get all stretched out. .Tip, ideas? What do you do (besides coverstitch)? -- Edited on 8/14/12 5:27 AM --
Melody Intermediate MI USA Member since 2/7/02 Posts: 1080	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/14/12 8:30 AM I suggest using stabilizer. It works wonders. ------ Melody http://crazedsewer.blogspot.com/ hmmmm...
juliette2 AUSTRALIA Member since 6/18/03 Posts: 1082	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/14/12 9:00 AM I zigzag. I am never happy with the results I get with a twin needle. It usually tunnels and the bobbin thread eventually breaks if the fabric is stretchy, then the stitching comes undone. I even have a coverstitcher but find it more trouble than it is worth. Difficult to thread, difficult to stitch accurately on the edge... I know many people love their coverstitchers but it's a bit too fiddley for me. Zigzagging is best for me. It looks OK -- some RTW garments have zigzag stitching and most people don't sew and don't have a clue about hem finishes anyway. Keep it simple: that's my motto! ------ It's a custom-made designer original. I made it myself.
fabrictherapy   Advanced GA USA Member since 12/22/10 Posts: 295	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/14/12 9:45 AM If I use my sewing machine, using a walking foot helps with even feed with double needles on knits, the stablizer is also a big help.
Courtney Ostaff   Intermediate WV USA Member since 11/23/10 Posts: 624	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/14/12 10:50 AM Steam-a-Seam is your friend ;) Also, have you seen Sarah Veblen's binding video?
mastdenman   Intermediate CA USA Member since 1/12/04 Posts: 5854	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/14/12 11:15 AM I use the triple stretch stitch that is available on most machines. It looks nice and has a bit of stretch. Works fairly well with most knits. ------ Marilyn January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 7008	Login to reply to this post In reply to robin623 << 3 members like this. Date: 8/14/12 11:37 AM Press and baste first. Same with twin needle top-stitching; pressing and basting first eliminates the drag lines and stretching. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
Patti B   Intermediate OR USA Member since 9/29/02 Posts: 2252	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/14/12 12:10 PM I often use my Teflon foot because it doesn't seem to gather up fabric on very stretchy knits. Lightweight fusible interfacing is a godsend for top stitching knits. ------ Patti R-r-r-ripping my way to fitting success
Cuffs Intermediate OH USA Member since 9/21/07 Posts: 11	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/14/12 3:49 PM To prevent channeling with a twin needle, loosen the bobbin tension. I'll second the stabilizer idea for preventing rippling, especially sewing cross-grain on a very stretchy knit. That said, I'd tried many that were supposed to do the trick... but didn't.
cocosloft   Advanced FL USA Member since 3/17/12 Posts: 127	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/15/12 10:06 AM I'm with LynnRowe - I press and baste first. If it's a hem, I zigzag then turn up and use steam a seam before topstitching. Also loosen my upper thread tension. Every piece of fabric is different...so I practice on scraps until I'm happy with settings and so on. Keep at it! ------ Coco

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