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HELP!! sewing on micro=fleece
avatrx   Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 12/16/05 Posts: 345	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/11/13 3:18 PM I made some pajama pants out of micro fleece but really need some help with it. It's extremely soft and stretchy (and thin). The leg seams seem to pucker even though I used a walking foot. I can get away with that, but now for the rest of the story...................... I'm trying to put a hem in them but have 2 problems. I can't mark it. Nothing writes on it. It stretches so much that the hem is getting stretched out of shape as I sew. I allowed for a really deep hem (4") and I'm hoping they are even. I'm going to cut off the first try and try again, but are there are suggestions for stabilizing it before I attempt this again? These jammies were for 2 of my granddaughters. I had promised to get them done and did not anticipate this much of a problem. I'll try stitch witchery and see if that works. perhaps fusible interfacing along the bottom? I tried stay stitching and the stitching looks really odd. It almost looks as though it's loopy and then tension is off, but I'm pretty sure it's OK. I used a straight stitch of 4.0. I'm sewing on a Janome 2012. I had hoped to get these done today. Everything but the hems are done. I guess I'll grab some scrap fabric and play with it but hopefully someone here will know what to do? thank you, -susie
Skye   Intermediate NEW ZEALAND Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 1633	Login to reply to this post In reply to avatrx << Like this post Date: 1/11/13 3:24 PM Water soluble stabliser on the feeddog side may help. Reduce your foot pressure and increase stitch length. I would consider using a zigzag stitch, Fusible heming tape - though I am not sure how well that would stick to the fleece. ------ Wellington, NZ
lgrande   Advanced Beginner MT USA Member since 1/18/12 Posts: 1041	Login to reply to this post In reply to Skye << Like this post Date: 1/11/13 3:31 PM Yes, it sounds as if your foot pressure needs to be reduced a lot, that would account for the stretching. ------ Linda Bernina 830LE Bernina B530 Janome 6600P Pfaff 1209 Babylock Evolution Janome 644D
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7401	Login to reply to this post In reply to avatrx << 1 member likes this. Date: 1/11/13 3:51 PM I've sewn a lot of the former Malden Mills microfleece garments on my old Bernina 930 and never had any difficulty with them, so perhaps the problems you're experiencing are related either to the fabric's manufacturer or to your machine (some machines do absolutely hate certain fabrics). In either case, here are some tricks that might help: Fleeces can be hard to mark, but I find that two things work pretty well. One is the Chakoner, which leaves a fine, sharp line on microfleece (not so good on fuzzier stuff). This marker is harder to find and pricier than things like the Clover Chaco Liners, but it's possible that the Clover product might work well enough. The second thing to try is a white gel pen that you get at craft stores like Michael's. Right now, I'm using one called the Gelly Roll (med) by Sakura. These markers are sort of permanent (eventually they will wear off), so I put a series of little dots or dashes in inconspicuous places to mark a line. For jammy hems, I should think a row of little dashes just to the wrong side of the fold line would work fine. If you try a fusible web, there's a reasonable chance your fleece will melt at worst or be flattened at best. Why not first gently steam (not press) the stretched out parts and let them dry. Then, once you have successfully marked the hem again, try using a narrow, no-heat adhesive tape on the hemline. There are tapes like WashAway Wonder Tape or Sealah that you can secure with stitching if you like, without gumming up your needle. You can also use something like a row of dots of Aleene's Tacky Glue, but I find that on very stretchy fabrics, it can produce an uneven-looking stretch. When sewing on fleece, I find that a narrow zigzag works better than a straight stitch.
avatrx   Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 12/16/05 Posts: 345	Login to reply to this post In reply to Skye << 1 member likes this. Date: 1/11/13 6:31 PM I'm not sure I know how to reduce the foot pressure? I haven't had this machine for very long. I do have a D1 - older Floppy model. perhaps I should dig that one out? I do have a stretch stitch. would that work? I had serged the side seams but obviously can't do that with the hems. And to think - I talked my daughter into getting this micro fleece when originally she wanted to get flannel.. Live and learn. If I didn't think it was tackey - I'd just leave the hems raw.....
avatrx   Advanced Beginner IL USA Member since 12/16/05 Posts: 345	Login to reply to this post In reply to Elona << Like this post Date: 1/11/13 6:37 PM I think I have some of the wonder tape somewhere. Is that the stuff you put on, then peel off the backing? I have the hem pinned up somewhat accurately. The girls aren't super fussy than heavens. I had hoped to make tank tops to match, but now I'm not so sure I want to try that......... I'm going to see if I can figure out how to reduce the foot pressure and give that a try first. I will check into the Chakoner. I have lots of tailors chalk, but that doesn't work very well.
Elona   Advanced CA USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 7401	Login to reply to this post In reply to avatrx << 1 member likes this. Date: 1/11/13 9:57 PM Yes, you peel off the backing, but no heat is involved. With many fleeces, since fleece is a knit and does not ravel, you can simply leave the edges unfinished. You could also just serge them. The Chakoner--unlike tailor's chalk or a chalk pencil--uses a little wheel to produce a very fine, sharp line. This is one of my favorite tools.
Pj3g   Intermediate WI USA Member since 2/14/11 Posts: 451	Login to reply to this post In reply to avatrx << Like this post Date: 1/12/13 7:45 AM Somebody else was having your same kind of issues. How to sew with stretchy fleece ------ Thank you Lord for my Mother who taught me the joy of sewing.
diane s Intermediate OR USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 3887	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/12/13 10:30 AM You might try the D1, the pressure can be adjusted. I use microfleece alot, I a also use it for bindings on heavier fleece, for me it's always been very forgiving. ------ My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
Michelle T Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 4178	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/12/13 12:42 PM I am not sure how old your granddaughters are, but if they are under 12, I would use your serger on the hems and stretch them hard. You will wind up with a wavy hem. It can look really cute and if you make the tank tops finish that hem the same way. Then it is a design feature. If I hem fleece (I often do not bother), I always use a really wide long zigzag stitch, reduce the foot pressure and go slow. ------ Proud parent of a Dwight International School Honour Roll Student

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