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Member since 2/1/15
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Posted on: 2/3/17 3:24 PM ET
I've been making a blanket recently and I've run into a slight problem. The cotten I'm using stretches, as many lightweight cottons do. The flannel I'm using also stretches, so all of my fabrics stretch.

Even when using my walking foot, every once in awhile after a long seam, a pleat will form.

Is the solution for this simply to use interfacing on the back of the fabric? That would be... excessive for a large project like a blanket no?
  
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Posted on: 2/3/17 3:51 PM ET
In reply to corrado33
Watch this video clip from 3.14 to see the demo of a technique that will help you.
I learnt the technique years ago from a lady who used to train machinists in a factory. It works.

something to consider is whether the presser foot pressure on your machine needs to be reduced a little, especially as fabric creep shouldn't be a problem with a walking foot.

finally, use a longer stitch length. A very short stitch length will help to stretch and splay the seam, especially on a fabric with some give or stretch.

  
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Posted on: 2/3/17 3:58 PM ET
Pin, pin, pin! I've found that even with a WF there can be a little bit of creeping of the fabrics. Pinning generously helps prevent this, and distributes the extra between the pins, rather than letting it build up in one place and make a fold/pleat/pucker, or end up all at the end of the seam. Use more pins than you think you should need--like every inch, or closer.

Also agree with fiddling with the presser foot pressure. You might also get better luck if you turn your layers over--put the plain cotton on the bottom against the feed dogs, and the flannel on top.

Starch will also help tame the stretch. Try not to encourage it (don't tug the fabric out of shape as you sew). (Although if you run into trouble, you might find you have a slightly longer edge you need to ease into a shorter one. In that case, try to evenly distribute the excess along the length of the shorter seam, pin like crazy, then sew longer-side-down against the feed dogs. They'll help ease for you.)
-- Edited on 2/3/17 at 4:01 PM --
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
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Posted on: 2/3/17 4:17 PM ET
In reply to corrado33
Try without any bolt on walking foot. Just because, the way you know some fabric is doing that on the top side is that you would see it, right before it happens. If the walking foot is blocking your view, and line of sight, then maybe you can't even see that happening in advance. I think they way you keep that from happening on the underneath side of the fabric though, is in the way you hold the fabric with your fingers of your right hand just before the pressure foot. If you lightly hold it here with right thumb on top of fabric and rest of fingers underneath, and let the fabric slide through your fingers, then if it starts to bunch up or pleat underneath it there, then you might be able to even feel it with those fingertips and stop sewing and re-arrange things instead maybe? Before you sew over it. And not sew over something like that and have to pick it out later?

Tons more pins and even hand basting first, probably would help too even maybe?

I don't think the answer to all sewing problems is some big, bulky bolt on walking foot at all. So if using one for something and things not working out, I would try it without that on there even. I know some people (probably people that sell those things) feel everything is better with one of those on some machine, but I don't feel that way at all actually, myself.
-- Edited on 2/3/17 at 4:22 PM --
  
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Posted on: 2/4/17 12:30 PM ET
In reply to beauturbo
Quote: beauturbo
If you lightly hold it here with right thumb on top of fabric and rest of fingers underneath, and let the fabric slide through your fingers, then if it starts to bunch up or pleat underneath it there, then you might be able to even feel it with those fingertips and stop sewing and re-arrange things instead.

This is a great suggestion, too. Think of it like when you're easing a sleeve into an armsye--you have to have your fingers under there, making sure you're not about to sew in a pucker. You can shift stuff around, slow down a bit to poke the fabric back into place, etc. I find I always do this on my serger, especially, b/c I don't want the work to end up under the blade (!!), so it's really become second nature to me to have my left hand there making sure everything is feeding smoothly.
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Posted on: 2/4/17 1:19 PM ET
In reply to corrado33
When sewing a long seam, even with a walking foot, I always do a couple of things:

1. Keep my left fingers spread out on the fabric to the left of the needle to assure that the fabric on that side moves right along with the feed dogs. There shouldn't be any angling or drag from fabric hanging off that side.

2. About every six inches or so, I stop stitching, lift the foot, and relax and smooth the fabric that is going to be sewn next. If the top layer looks as though it wants to bunch up or pleat, I will use a chopstick to carefully urge it along a little as it approaches the needle. IOW, I sort of act as feed dogs for the top layer.
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Elona
  
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Posted on: 2/4/17 2:41 PM ET
In reply to corrado33
Does your machine have adjustable foot pressure? You might need to lighten it when using stretchy lightweight fabrics. You might also try a different kind needle as that can make a different (sharp or maybe even a jean needles?) I have also found that it takes a lot of practice with these type of projects.
  
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