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how to reinforce an open area in a knit fabric?
ahrizel Beginner PA Member since 4/22/12 Posts: 295	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/19/12 8:11 PM I'm modifying some undershirts to have a hole in them, as an opening for a g-tube. I was planning on applying a circle of cotton with heat and bond, then applique around the outside of the circle and the inner circle. It would be donut shaped. I had thought of putting a circle on both the inside and the outside. But when I've done appliques before I used stabilizer on the back. Not sure if I should just use a single layer with stabilizer or the double layer. The undershirts are a rib knit cotton. Any suggestions to what would be the most stable/sturdy. These will be used and abused heavily so it really matters. Thanks, Mary
Elcue   Advanced WA USA Member since 6/13/12 Posts: 193	Login to reply to this post In reply to ahrizel << Like this post Date: 8/19/12 8:31 PM Have you thought of simply using a buttonhole?
CM_Sews Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/18/04 Posts: 1476	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/19/12 8:41 PM You can do faced button hole, a technique that works well on fleece (which is a knit). Malden Mills button hole tutorial Applique button hole tutorial, same basic technique with good photos CMC
ahrizel Beginner PA Member since 4/22/12 Posts: 295	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/19/12 9:14 PM The faced buttonhole technique looks interesting. It would have to be a much wider buttonhole then average, probably at least 1/2 inch. Would this work for that also? I would have to do a manual buttonhole, but that can be done. And It would have a smooth edge underneath which would be nice. I love the responses I get on the boards, I get ideas I would never have thought of on my own. Any other suggestions/ideas are very welcome. Mary
nicegirl Intermediate DC USA Member since 5/10/06 Posts: 1611	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/19/12 11:16 PM I did a sort of pseudo-bound buttonhole in a knit for a wrap sweater and it worked pretty well. That knits don't ravel makes things a lot easier. Instructions and photos here. ------ http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com ================= 2007: purchased 115+, sewed 105+ So close to parity, yet so far Trying again in 2008 Yards purchased: 133 Yards sewn: Somewhere around 95 2009? I give up
Elcue   Advanced WA USA Member since 6/13/12 Posts: 193	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/20/12 10:22 AM I don't think this is a great solution for this application but the other option that occurs to me is a grommet.
marymary86 Intermediate GA USA Member since 7/20/08 Posts: 2200	Login to reply to this post In reply to ahrizel << Like this post Date: 8/20/12 11:19 AM Try making the wider buttonhole on a scrap of your knit fabric. I think it will work beautifully. ------ Mary http://checkmatesystem.com
ahrizel Beginner PA Member since 4/22/12 Posts: 295	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/20/12 9:57 PM The undershirts I'm modifying are rtw, regular old Hanes I believe. The tube needs at least 1/2 of clearance all around. This a picture of what she uses. The balloon is in the stomach with the round base against the skin. The top piece is the one that needs to fit through. A grommet wouldn't work, but the basic idea of a reinforced hole is a good one. From what I've been reading the fabric should be no fray? The knit may not, but the cotton would. Would satin stitch around the outside work? Still trying to work this out. I'd never considered making her undershirts, but now I'm thinking of trying it. Any idea where to get the rib knit type fabric I'd need? It would just be a simple tank pattern modified somewhat for her needs. Keep the ideas coming, they really help. MaryG-tube picture -- Edited on 8/20/12 10:08 PM --
simplystitches Intermediate NY USA Member since 2/12/06 Posts: 766	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/20/12 11:01 PM If the rtw Hanes fit well enough for your purposes save yourself the time and use those. As far as something to reinforce the opening why not take one of the rtw and use that. You'd be able to do a number of them from one shirt. Your fabrics match plus it's a knit so it won't fray. Since they need to stand up to some abuse I would fuse a circle on the inside and outside and cut the circle after everythings fused together. Use a Heat & Bond lite so it doesn't get too stiff and use a light zigzag rather than an applique stitch. Just some thoughts. Debbie
CM_Sews Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/18/04 Posts: 1476	Login to reply to this post In reply to ahrizel << Like this post Date: 8/21/12 1:56 AM I think the faced button hole could be made any size or shape that you need. 1/2-inch wide would not be a problem, just sew the edge of the button hole the size (length and width) you need before slitting the inside of the opening and turning the facing to the other side. If you scroll down a bit on this zippered pocket tutorial you'll see the same basic technique used to sew, open and turn a zipper-sized opening. CMC

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