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Member since 12/25/15
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Posted on: 12/28/15 9:44 PM ET
Hi,
I have had a sewing machine for a few months now and am doing pretty well with cotton, I don't tend to have any issues except occasionally with fit.

However, I am continually having problems with knits (what I would refer to as "jersey" type fabric). I have watched several videos, mostly on the Simplicity youtube channel. I am using a ball point needle (size 9 or 11 depending). I am using polyester thread. I'm using a zig-zag stitch.

For some reason, the needle keeps jamming the fabric down into the "teeth" (?? again, total beginner here). Down into the plate basically. So of course when I have to yank it out, there is a big old knot of thread in the fabric and usually a hole.

I have cleaned my machine. I have oiled my machine. I have tried different stitch lengths and tensions. What am I doing wrong? Do I need a different foot?? I am just using the regular one (is there a name for that?).

I LOVE sewing, but I don't want to be confined to cottons forever. Please help me!
  
Member since 5/22/06
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Posted on: 12/28/15 10:06 PM ET
In reply to Dithyrambic
The polyester thread, zigzag stitch, and standard presser foot are fine, but I'd try a universal needle instead of the ballpoint. If you can lighten the presser foot pressure on your machine just a bit, that could help. While sewing, hold the fabric at both the front and back - keeping it flat and smooth - pulling it equally front and back very, very gently with no pressure against the needle in either direction. Sew slowly until you get the feel. These things should help the fabric feed better, and not get stuck in the needle plate.

Be patient, because sewing knits can be a lot of fun!

ETA that some machines don't have adjustable presser foot pressure, so just try the other suggestions. Let us know how it goes.
-- Edited on 12/28/15 at 10:30 PM --
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 12/28/15 10:23 PM ET
In reply to Dithyrambic
I would try universal needles. When starting lower your needle into the fabric and holkd both thread tails out to the back of your work.
Sometimes reducing the pressure of the presser foot can help
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Member since 6/11/10
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Posted on: 12/28/15 10:30 PM ET
Yes, those are the feed dogs; they "feed" or move the fabric along.

Your ballpoint needle sounds good, and the size, too; though some knits like a microtex needle. (I buy mine at Walmart, by Schmetz.)

Is your fabric fairly light? not too much body and heft? a fair bit of drape to it? I ask because the fact that the fabric is getting pulled down into the feed dogs repeatedly leaves me to believe it's fairly light, versus being a stable, or even heavy, knit.

So....it's doable! There's nothing to it, but it does take a bit of babying along, especially as you start the seam.

(a.) I suggest you place a bit of paper or tissue paper under your seam, as you begin sewing.
(b.) Make sure you're not beginning at the edge of the fabric.
(c.) Make sure your stitch is not too short.
(d.) If you have a walking foot, that would be super! But if not, you'll be fine with your standard all purpose foot.
(e.) Leave a long thread tail as you begin ~ and hold it for the first 3 or so stitches. Take about 3 stitches forward, then reverse stitch, then you can keep going forward down your seam.
(f.) I suggest the zigzag stitch. I don't know what machine you are using, but most all sewing can be done exclusively with two stitches ~ the straight and the zigzag. A nice zigzag is just perfect for knits.

I hope these suggestions help you to find success sewing with your knit fabric! Please post again if you have more questions. You can do this!
  
Member since 11/21/09
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Posted on: 12/28/15 10:35 PM ET
Is it doing this to you at the beginning of the seam or just randomly in the middle?

Try starting a little further from the edge if it is a beginning of the seam thing.

Also, my machine is supposed to begin sewing with the needle down, but it will work on some fabrics even if I forget to rotate the handwheel and get that needle down through the fabric. Other fabrics are less forgiving and an immediate thread nest will ensue if I start needle-up.

Just some thoughts, good luck!
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 12/28/15 10:40 PM ET
In reply to Dithyrambic
Your regular foot is usually called "all purpose", "general purpose" or zigzag.

Does the fabric get stuffed down the needle hole at the beginning of a seam or somewhat randomly during seaming ? If just at first, hold bobbin and top thread ends together behind the presser foot for several stitches, then let go. If randomly, what stitch are you using? If you put paper under the seam, how does it sew? If ok with paper, then consider water soluble embroidery stabilizer or starch or very cheap, almost glazed toilet paper under the fabric and/or a smaller needle size and/or higher presser foot pressure.
  
Member since 12/15/12
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Posted on: 12/28/15 10:44 PM ET
For needles I only buy stretch needles for knits. They have a larger eye and will work better on slinky stretchy knits as well as on any other knit a ballpoint needle will.

When you start at the beginning place some wrapping paper tissue under the fabric for the first two or three inches; tear is off with ease when finished with your seam.

To sew with a straight stitch simply slightly stretch the fabric as you sew it with a stitch length of 3. This will allow your seams to stretch slightly without snapping.
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People never care how much you know until they know how much you care.
  
Member since 12/25/15
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Posted on: 12/28/15 10:48 PM ET
Thank you all so much for your input!

It is at the beginning, it happens with the first stitches. It seems to be pretty random when it happens, though. For example, I have almost completely finished this top and have had no issues but have now tried to hem the sleeves 4 times and have been having this problem every time. I also tried a twin needle and had the same problem. My long sleeve shirt is about to become a short sleeve as I keep cutting off the problem areas. LOL (In truth I have more fabric and could cut new sleeves but I'm not going to bother until I can figure this out).

I have a Brother 2600i. I don't think I can change the pressure of the foot. If I can, I couldn't find that part in the manual. lol

It came with a walking foot but I honestly have no idea what that is or what it does.

Reality is setting in as far as how specific all of this has to be, lol I just read several pages of the knit sew-along thread and learned a tremendous amount I didn't even know I needed to know.

Thanks for being patient with me!
  
Member since 1/8/13
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Posted on: 12/28/15 10:57 PM ET
Questions are always welcome. Don't be afraid to ask.
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Fabric sewn in 2016 - 66.5 yds
  
Member since 3/24/04
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Posted on: 12/28/15 11:05 PM ET
In reply to Dithyrambic
Yeah, I think you are right. No presser foot pressure adjustment on this model. Next time you try out machines, save scraps from this project and use as a test for other machines.

Not all machines require this, but you might as well get in the habit of starting all seams this way, because it will often save your sanity.

1. Top and bobbin thread pulled under and behind foot.
2. Drop needle into beginning of seam with needle up/down button or handwheel.
3. Drop presser foot.
4. Sew several stitches while holding thread ends.
5. Drop thread ends and sew normally.

Two other points.
A. This may be more pronounced now because of needle wear. Try a new needle when you suddenly run into odd stitching issues. A needle point that has hit metal is dead. Change immediately.

B. Seam ends that will be crossed later by another seam do not need backstitching, and backstitching can provoke fabric down needle hole attacks in susceptible machines.
-- Edited on 12/28/15 at 11:31 PM --
  
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