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Knits Problems with Machine
Mary Mary   Intermediate CO USA Member since 6/23/07 Posts: 13	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 2/17/13 0:06 AM I have a Janome Magnolia. Just had it cleaned. Sewing on knits, and having problems. The bobbin threads are little loose, feed dogs seem to not move fabric. Using longer straight stitch and it sews smaller stitches. This machine is only 2 years old. Ready to spring for another machine. Any recommendations for superior machine to sew knits? I do have a serger. I am topstitching on knit armhole. Help. Mary ------ PeacefulMary
Rosews13   Advanced CA USA Member since 1/17/10 Posts: 1074	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/17/13 0:16 AM Are your feed dogs up and not accidentally lowered? Do you have the same problem with wovens?
Mary Mary   Intermediate CO USA Member since 6/23/07 Posts: 13	Login to reply to this post In reply to Rosews13 << Like this post Date: 2/17/13 0:47 AM I checked the feed dogs. Bobbin threads are fine on wovens. I think I will change the needle and see if that helps. ------ PeacefulMary
Rosews13   Advanced CA USA Member since 1/17/10 Posts: 1074	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mary Mary << Like this post Date: 2/17/13 0:58 AM Try a stretch or jersey needle. I don't know why your fabric is not advancing. Do you have presser foot adjusment on that machine? I am not familiar with it myself. Maybe some Magnolia owners can chime in......
goosegreen   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 1/9/05 Posts: 1769	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/17/13 6:36 AM It sounds like you need to stabilise the area before sewing. Try some spray starch. Is the fabric rayon by any chance? ------ Alison in suburbia - Sydney Australia My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/
microbios   Intermediate TX USA Member since 2/15/09 Posts: 7	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 2/17/13 7:43 AM Though I don't have any advice to offer, I wanted to share that I experienced the same exact problem a few months ago when sewing rayon jersey. After trying different needles, checking feed dogs, changing presser foot tension, etc, I concluded that my machine (Brother NX-450Q) was just not ideal for stretchy knits. Am eager to hear what others recommend - especially which machines do well with this type of fabric. Diane
sew2006 Advanced ON CANADA Member since 6/24/06 Posts: 1704	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mary Mary << Like this post Date: 2/17/13 9:13 AM A couple of things to try. Get yourself some blue tip (11) and red tip (14) embroidery needles. Janome makes these for their embroidery machines but they work very well for sewing on all types of knit. Get a teflon foot, it's normally advertised for sewing leather but knits with poly content won't stick to the foot resulting in better stitches. For top stitching around the armhole press your seam allowances over prior to stitching. Try a stitch lenght of 3.5mm for top stitching. Your machine also came with foot E, the zipper. I have used this for top stiching knits as well. The front is narrow allowing perfect visibility of your fabric, the back is wide to grab garment to feet throught. Best of luck. ------ Janome10001, Babylock ESG3, Brother ULT 2001, White 634D serger, Pfaff 1472, Singer featherweight, Singer 14T957Dc, Bernina FunLock 009DCC coverlock, Brother PQ1500S, Janome CP900.
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1361	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mary Mary << Like this post Date: 2/17/13 9:19 AM I am kind of surprised that your Magnolia won't sew that. I have a mechanical Janome (Kenmore) and a 6600. Both sew knits great. I have been sewing Rayon Jersey alot lately. I use a stretch needle and lighten the foot pressure. Top stitching unstable knits pose a challenge even to the best machines. You could try putting a piece of tissue paper or tear away stabilizer between the fabric and the feed dogs. Sometimes that will help. Sewing knits was a requirement when I went to look for a new machine two years ago. My old Kenmore is a tank and will sew everything but knits. There are alot of machines out there that will do a great job. When I went looking, I took fabric (save those scraps from this project) and went to every dealer in town. I decided on a Janome and I couldn't be happier. As to asking about machines on here-well that is a loaded question haha. We all have our preferences. What is your price range? What features would you like? edited to add-I forgot to mention to try it with a walking foot if you have one. That will help with the right needle and you probably need a small size needle (a 10 stretch). HTH -- Edited on 2/17/13 9:21 AM --
Mary Mary   Intermediate CO USA Member since 6/23/07 Posts: 13	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 2/17/13 5:48 PM Used my old Pfaff with the built in walking foot and had no problems at all. My Magnolia just doesn't like knits. I plan to get a teflon foot (as my dealer is unreliable!). Plan to test out every machine out there at the Sew Expo in Puyallup WA end of the month. I just think my Magnolia loves wovens and will be a classroom machine instead of my go to machine. Thank you everyone for your replies! Will send Mag. to shop when I am in Puyallup. Still love to sew! Mary ------ PeacefulMary
Rosews13   Advanced CA USA Member since 1/17/10 Posts: 1074	Login to reply to this post In reply to Mary Mary << 2 members like this. Date: 2/17/13 11:46 PM When I tried to offer suggestions earlier I couldn't think of much because I have never had any problems at all. I have ALWAYS used a Pfaff with IDT for the last 28 years. Now you say you used your old Pfaff with IDT and had no problems. Guess that's the answer!

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