PatternReview.com online sewing community
Online Sewing Class: Divine Details
Register Today!
Join our community of 579,243 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,243 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
12 
Member since 11/26/06
Posts: 2701
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 11:39 AM ET
I'm new to knits and I'm making a dress w/ a round neckline that is finished like a t-shirt neck (as opposed to a facing) in the same fabric as the dress. The fabric I'm using was labeled as peachskin knit...it's a really soft feeling stretch poly w/ a dash of spandex. I did line the bodice w/ a similar weight and stretch poly as the fabric feels really flimsy by itself.

My problem is the extreme wavyness I got around the neck. Please don't look at the back...I didn't finish there...just the front. Less ripping to fix :)

I followed the pattern sewing tips that said to zigzag (no serger) ALL seams. Is this where I went wrong? Should I have straight stitched this part? I don't think I need a lot of stretch, as it fits fine over my head. Is there a better idea for finishing the neck entirely?

Eve
-- Edited on 4/16/07 11:43 AM -- here
-- Edited on 4/16/07 11:53 AM --
------
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
  
Member since 6/28/03
Posts: 1053
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 11:53 AM ET
In reply to EveS
Hi EveS!
How big of a zigzag did you use? I usually do the smallest zigzag possible. Was the neck binding smaller than the neckline so that you had to stretch the binding as you sew?
Also, can you let up ont he pressure on your presser foot? Too much pressure will smoosh the fabric and stretch it as you sew, causing the waviness.
Tammy
  
Member since 2/7/04
Posts: 2188
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 11:57 AM ET
I have had this happen before. I removed the knit band and measured the bodice seamline, then shortened the band and reattached it.

Shortening it helps pull it in toward the body and reduces the rippling because you have to slightly stretch the band to reattach it with a zig zag stitch.

The amount to shorten has to do with the stretch factor of your knit and whether you cut on the bias, crossgrain or perpendicular to the selvage. The way you cut the band has an effect too.
-- Edited on 4/16/07 11:58 AM --
------
Leah
  
Member since 11/26/06
Posts: 2701
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 11:57 AM ET
In reply to Izzie
Length or width? I did the same as the other seams (which look good) I really didn't have to stretch the binding too much as I expected to do per the instructions. I did use my overcast foot also since I was afraid my machine might eat that thin fabric. Was that a no no?

Eve
p.s. - love your assistant in your photo!
------
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
  
Member since 6/28/03
Posts: 1053
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 11:58 AM ET
In reply to EveS
You may want to check out THIS tutorial on neckline binding from Threads magazine.
  
Member since 5/2/06
Posts: 166
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 11:59 AM ET
In reply to EveS
If your machine has a walking foot, that would control how fast the fabric is fed through. Also, putting your finger just behind your pressor foot, providing a little resistance to the fabric feeding through will help slow it down a bit.
I'm certainly not an expert, but I learned those techniques from others on PR and they have worked for me.
I don't know if there is anything you can do to fix the top you've already made. Hopefully it wasn't a very expensive or loved fabric.
Melanie
  
Member since 6/28/03
Posts: 1053
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 12:09 PM ET
In reply to EveS
Ooops! sorry, I meant the smallest width...I usually put the length on about 3.
My assistant's name is Sweetpea and for some odd reason she really likes those scissors...pens too.
  
Member since 11/26/06
Posts: 2701
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 12:10 PM ET
In reply to melanie9313
Hmm this fabric is already the "omen" fabric for other reasons, one being surprise cost. Does that mean that I've ruined this bodice w/ the out-of-shape stretch?

Say it ain't so....
------
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
  
Member since 6/28/03
Posts: 1053
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 12:22 PM ET
If it won't make the neckline too low or wide, you could trim off the wavy one and start over. Hopefully you have extra fabric??
You could also try ripping out the stitches, but I'm afraid that would make it worse.
  
Member since 11/26/06
Posts: 2701
Send Message
Posted on: 4/16/07 12:38 PM ET
In reply to Izzie
That's a good idea, Izzy (and Sweetpea). The neckline is actually cut a little higher than I'd like anyway so it's certainly worth a try.

To clarify, the finish isn't actually a binding, it's more of a flap of fabric (think men's tshirt if that makes any sense). I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Would it be easier to just do a binding or are the same issues a risk? Or maybe switch to vneck? I did one of those on similar knit and it worked out fine.

At this point I'm just hoping not to ditch the dress. I had a bad case of can't-read-osis when I looked at the price of the fabric so I already have a bad attitude about how much it's cost me.
------
People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
  
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