PatternReview.com online sewing community
Join our community of 579,235 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,235 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
12 
Member since 4/25/09
Posts: 3
Send Message
Posted on: 4/30/09 1:24 PM ET
I'm trying to use a twin needle for the first time. I'm using it to hem on a T-shirt. I think I've got everything threaded fine because from the topside, it looks great.

The problem is the underside. Instead of zigzagging, the bobbin thread is straight. It ends up pulling the top into a rounded bump instead of laying flat.

I've loosened the bobbin tension so that it almost is a zigzag but then it skips a lot.

My last attempt has been using a longer stretch stitch. Still the same problem. But I'm thinking that it's probably a good idea for a T-shirt hem.

If anyone has any hints or ideas, I'd REALLY appreciate it. Thanks!!
  
Member since 1/12/02
Posts: 3838
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 4/30/09 3:44 PM ET
In reply to homesewer
The bobbin tension isn't the problem, it's the top tension. It should be very loose. Also, you can just use a regular straight stitch, but lengthen it. The reason behind all of these is to allow for stretch and recovery of your fabric. The looser top tension puts more thread into each stitch which will allow the double rows to lay flatter.

Sometimes a bit of washaway stabilizer on the bobbin side of the fabric also helps to contol the hump tendency of some fabrics, especially those that are thin or very stretchy.

You might also have better luck using a twin needle with a narrower space between the two needes. The wider the space is, the greater the tendency to form a hump.
------
Now blogging at http://sewwest.blogspot.com
  
Member since 12/7/05
Posts: 2856
Send Message
Posted on: 4/30/09 4:15 PM ET
You can use wooly nylon in the bobbin, which works well for this technique. Wind it on the bobbin by hand, not under tension by machine, so it doesn't get all stretched out
------
Viking Lily 545
Viking Ruby
Bernina Activa 210
Brother 1034d
  
Member since 4/25/09
Posts: 3
Send Message
Posted on: 4/30/09 6:14 PM ET
In reply to NancyDaQ
Thanks for your help. I'm still not getting it to look like I thought it would. I thought it be a zigzag on the back but the bobbin thread is still straight. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. Anyway, you were definitely right about it taking care of the hump. It's finally laying flat.

I'm going to buy some washaway stabilizer, too, to see how that works.

I had made myself a knit top that's pretty lightweight and had a lot of trouble. But what I'm working on now is just shortening my son's T-shirt. Maybe there's a better way to hem ready-made T-shirts?

  
Member since 1/12/02
Posts: 3838
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 4/30/09 6:43 PM ET
In reply to homesewer
IMO, a cover hem is best but you have the expense of the machine, whether a stand alone coverstitch machine or a serger with coverstitch.

In my experience, the back usually looks a little bit zig zaggy, not necessarily like a zig zag stitch you'd sew. Whatever works, right?

Thin knits can be hard, and the water soluble stabilizer really helps to control that type of fabric.

Some people just use a single row of stitching to hem T shirts, but even with wooly nylon in the bobbin, I've had them pop on me.
-- Edited on 4/30/09 6:44 PM --
------
Now blogging at http://sewwest.blogspot.com
  
Member since 7/23/07
Posts: 7276
Send Message
Posted on: 4/30/09 6:54 PM ET
I was surprised at how the back looked when I first tried this, too. But the top looks fine, so it is probably ok. Wooly nylon in the bobbin and a walking foot have made my life infinitely more joyful. Well, my sewing life, at least.
------
http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
  
Member since 4/25/09
Posts: 3
Send Message
Posted on: 4/30/09 7:34 PM ET
Thanks for all of the help. I'm definitely going to give the wooly nylon a try for hemming the ready-made T-shirts for my son.








  
Member since 3/9/09
Posts: 38
Send Message
Posted on: 5/7/09 6:44 PM ET
In reply to homesewer
Thanks for starting this thread. I'm sewing my first t-shirt as well.

I just bought a 2.5 size twin needle. My sewing machine allows me to do a zig zag stitch. So when I use the twin needle, do I use the ziz zag stitch or the straight stitch?
  
Member since 7/23/07
Posts: 7276
Send Message
Posted on: 5/7/09 7:45 PM ET
In reply to willozza
Has to be straight. I remember thinking the same thing and then looking at the presser foot - zig zag would break the needle.
------
http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
  
Member since 3/9/09
Posts: 38
Send Message
Posted on: 5/7/09 8:13 PM ET
In reply to tourist
Thanks. So I'll use a straight stitch on a zig zag foot.
  
12 
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Elliott Berman Textiles
High-end Fashion Fabrics
Specials!