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Member since 11/27/11
Posts: 71
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Posted on: 1/15/12 6:18 AM ET
Want to take in a knit tee shirt. I don't have a serger or a double needle. I do have ballpoint needles. I also have stretch stitches on my sewing machine.

Any tips? Anything I need to watchout for or do? Am I alright using a regular foot?

Thanks in advance.
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In school we are given a lesson then a test. In life we are given a test then a lesson!
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Member since 11/30/04
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Posted on: 1/15/12 7:56 AM ET
I'd use a regular foot, baste the seams first to check fit, then straight stitch in low-stress areas, knit stitch/narrow zigzag in high stress areas. If it is very fitted, I would do all narrow zigzag.

Use a stretch needle if the knit has lycra, otherwise use a ballpoint if the universal needle isn't quite cutting it. I do samples before deciding.
-- Edited on 1/15/12 7:58 AM --
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Big 4 Pattern size 12, RTW bottom: 6, RTW jacket 8, RTW top (no size fits me well!)
Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.)
Machines: Sewing: Elna 760, vintage Kenmore Model 33 (1967), Janome Gem Gold 3, Singer Model 99, Singer 221/Featherweight, Bernina 1630. Sergers: Babylock Enlighten and Babylock Ovation. Embroidery Only: Janome 300E. Embroidery/Sewing Combo: Brother Dream machine. Straight Stitch: Janome 1600P.
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Member since 12/3/05
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Posted on: 1/15/12 8:35 AM ET
In reply to Sassy T
Since you're not hemming your tee shirt, you don't need a twin (double needle).

As far as the type of single needle goes, you may not need a stretch needle -- I sew many knits with an ordinary "sharps" needle or universals, and they're usually fine. The ballpoint may or may not work. Do a test with the needles you have and see which works best. If none of them work, then buy a stretch needle.

As far as stitches go, do not use the "stretch stiches" on your sewing machine. Those stitches are intended for bathing suits and girdles, they will produce an ugly, wavy seam on an ordinary tee shirt, and they are almost impossible to remove. I use a 3mm straight stitch for the seams on my knits, and that usually works fine. Occasionally, I use a very narrow zig zag, but for the fabrics I sew, this is rarely necessary.

A regular foot is fine.
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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
  
Member since 11/27/11
Posts: 71
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Posted on: 1/15/12 9:03 AM ET
Oh thanks ladies. Especially the heads up about the stretch stitches. I know little about this. I thought straight stitches are avoided because of no inherent stretch hence why they advise zig zag stitches, so they will stetch with fabric. Is this no longer the case?

Am wearing the top tomorrow and it is quite old. Not worth me buying stretch needles. Skint anyway lol. If all fails, I shall leave it as it is. Just stretched through the numerous washes so want to feel less frumpy when wearing it.


-- Edited on 1/15/12 9:06 AM --
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In school we are given a lesson then a test. In life we are given a test then a lesson!
https://ladysewstheblues.blogspot.co.uk/
  
Member since 9/24/06
Posts: 551
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Posted on: 1/15/12 9:18 AM ET
In reply to Sassy T
Set the zig zag to 0.5mm that way the seam has a little bit of stretch, but doesn't look like a full zig zag but like a straight stitch.
This works very well and I'll often resort to this if I just need to stitch a quick seam and am too lazy to rethread my serger.
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wino
  
Member since 12/3/05
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Posted on: 1/15/12 10:01 AM ET
In reply to Sassy T
Sassy,

The name "stretch stitch" has created a lot of confusion among sewers, and you are not the first person who thought it should be the preferred stitch for ordinary knit fabrics. The stretch stitch should be renamed the girdle stitch because it is intended for fabrics with an extremely high lycra content. It is a horrible stitch for most knit fabrics, and most sewers avoid it like the plague.

Vertical tee shirt seams are different than horizontal ones. You do not need much stretch on a vertical seam because a garment you're wearing doesn't usually get stretched much in the vertical direction. But you do need stretch on a horizontal seam like a neckline or a hem because those areas are stretched quite a bit in the process of putting on the garment and taking it off.

As you gain experience, you will realized that many of the sewing rules you hear may not necessarily apply to the project you are working on. Only a few rules, such as cutting pattern pieces on grain, always apply in every case. Many other rules are generalizations that have exceptions, and a few are simply untrue -- old wive's tales. That's why I take sewing rules with a grain of salt and conduct my own tests and experiments.


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No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
  
Member since 11/27/11
Posts: 71
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Posted on: 1/15/12 12:19 PM ET
Ah I see. Thanks ladies. Ready to tackle the job now. Just got to finish a project am working on first lol.
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In school we are given a lesson then a test. In life we are given a test then a lesson!
https://ladysewstheblues.blogspot.co.uk/
  
Member since 1/12/04
Posts: 6312
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Posted on: 1/15/12 12:21 PM ET
I use the triple zigzag or stretch stitch for hemming knits. It seems to work well on most of them and is more durable than a coverstitch. I don't use the stretch stitch for seams though. I use my serger.
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Marilyn

January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.
  
Member since 4/24/06
Posts: 316
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Posted on: 1/16/12 1:52 PM ET
In reply to nancy2001
Quote: nancy2001
Sassy,



The name "stretch stitch" has created a lot of confusion among sewers, and you are not the first person who thought it should be the preferred stitch for ordinary knit fabrics. The stretch stitch should be renamed the girdle stitch because it is intended for fabrics with an extremely high lycra content. It is a horrible stitch for most knit fabrics, and most sewers avoid it like the plague.



Vertical tee shirt seams are different than horizontal ones. You do not need much stretch on a vertical seam because a garment you're wearing doesn't usually get stretched much in the vertical direction. But you do need stretch on a horizontal seam like a neckline or a hem because those areas are stretched quite a bit in the process of putting on the garment and taking it off.



As you gain experience, you will realized that many of the sewing rules you hear may not necessarily apply to the project you are working on. Only a few rules, such as cutting pattern pieces on grain, always apply in every case. Many other rules are generalizations that have exceptions, and a few are simply untrue -- old wive's tales. That's why I take sewing rules with a grain of salt and conduct my own tests and experiments.




This is good advice. I 'test' every stitch every time to see how it works with the fabric - relaying on 'sewing rules' that I haven't personally tested is a receipe for potential wadders
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Kemish
  
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