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Member since 8/20/07
Posts: 28
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Posted on: 8/24/07 11:38 AM ET
Hi,

I prefer to wear knits, and so would like to sew with knits once I feel comfortable sewing from a pattern (my first sewing project will be with lightweight woven cotton). I have read that knits are more complicated to sew with, but do I have to have a serger to sew knit garments? I would rather not (yet) make the investment, since I'm just starting out.

Also, can you point me to any tips on sewing with knits?

Thanks! I love this board!
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 7614
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Posted on: 8/24/07 11:50 AM ET
If you click on "search boards" above and then fill in the search for "knits" and search in Titles and Descriptions, you will get 10 pages of info about sewing with knits. I hope you have some time on your hands, LOL.
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Visit my blog at http://sewingsaga.blogspot.com

If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well;
and if it's worth sewing well, it's worth FITTING FIRST! - TSL
  
Member since 3/9/07
Posts: 1481
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Posted on: 8/24/07 12:12 PM ET
In reply to anuprabhu
Read all that Sherrill has directed you to, but here are some short answers. No, you don't need a serger; you can sew on your regular machine using a small zigzag stitch and a special stretch needle. Most knit edges don't ravel or run. However, if you come to love sewing knits, the serger performs a quick and easy combo of joining the fabric and finishing the edges.

It is correct that knits are more complicated. Not more difficult, just more complicated. Knit stretches (or contracts)in one or more ways and this sometimes makes fit or drape unpredictable. An easy way to overcome this is to stick with only a few type knits until you get more skilled at predicting the outcome. And of course, t-shirt type knit is a great starting place.

--Lily
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Lily
  
Member since 11/26/06
Posts: 2701
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Posted on: 8/24/07 12:14 PM ET
In reply to anuprabhu
I personally don't think that knits are more difficult to sew than wovens...they're just different. They take a little getting used to, but they are much more forgiving in terms of fit issues...you can get away with a lot more close-enough's w/ knits (which is a great trade-off IMO). The added bonus is that you DON'T need to finish your seams (as you do with most wovens) because they don't fray, so the serger is absolutely not necessary. Yes, the serged seams can give a RTW feel to your garments, but those are on the inside, anyway. You need a ballpoint or stretch needle and a twin needle is helpful for topstitching, too, but that's really the only extra requirements you absolutely need vs wovens.

Happy sewing!!!
Eve
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Member since 10/10/06
Posts: 49
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Posted on: 8/24/07 6:00 PM ET
I would also recommend that you take Sarah Veblen's Understanding Knits class here on PR when it's offered again. It's VERY helpful in...understanding knits! LOL!
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Sarah :o)
You are who you've been becoming.
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 2728
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Posted on: 8/24/07 8:51 PM ET
I agree w Eve. It's not more difficult, it's just quite different. Both have easy parts and hard parts.

I hightly recommend Connie Long's "Sewing With Knits". A very readable and helpful book.

Nina
  
Member since 10/1/06
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Posted on: 8/25/07 6:13 AM ET
I love wearing and sewing knits! It's not difficult at all, it's just different.
No need for a serger, a regular machine is just fine for knits.
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zora
2025 - 30 metres dash
IN: 0 OUT: 2,5 metres
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 5885
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Posted on: 8/25/07 2:03 PM ET
Check if your machine has adjustable presser foot pressure. Alot of sewers don't realize the pressure foot pressure can be adjusted, (not all machines have this feature) and lowering the presser helps reduce the dreaded 'wavy' seams and hems that can happen.
For a beginner project, try and use a KwikSew pattern instead of the Big 4.
-- Edited on 8/25/07 2:05 PM --
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My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
  
Member since 6/6/04
Posts: 540
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Posted on: 8/25/07 2:27 PM ET
Quote:
I would also recommend that you take Sarah Veblen's Understanding Knits class here on PR when it's offered again. It's VERY helpful in...understanding knits!


I second this opinion. I took this class last year her eon PR and have had a great time sewing knits this year. In fact this week I sewed with a woven and had to make a mental adjustment because it has been so long since I have sewn with a woven.

And, I would suggest getting small scraps of knit material, some ball point needles in various sizes and experiment. Also, look into a interface like fusiknit or sofknit for t-shirts, seams/hems ect. There is also a class on interfacing that is offered on PR.
A video clip for knit collars.
Another video clip from Tautons Threads website Sarah Veblen's website. Stay tuned for her live sewing with knits class.

HTH
  
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 10072
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Posted on: 8/25/07 9:04 PM ET
In reply to anuprabhu
Quote: anuprabhu
Hi,



I prefer to wear knits, and so would like to sew with knits once I feel comfortable sewing from a pattern (my first sewing project will be with lightweight woven cotton). I have read that knits are more complicated to sew with, but do I have to have a serger to sew knit garments? I would rather not (yet) make the investment, since I'm just starting out.



Also, can you point me to any tips on sewing with knits?



Thanks! I love this board!

A good book for beginners is Simplicity's Simply the Best Sewing Book. There is a lot of good information about fabrics (knits & wovens), notions, basic functions of sewing machines and sergers plus much more.

You can find this book in the sewing department at Walmart, Hobby Lobby or a fabric store.

I had been sewing over 50 years when I purchased this book out of curiosity and have found it to be a great source for just about anything about sewing!
-- Edited on 8/25/07 9:05 PM --
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
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