
Can you sew knit fabrics on a regular machine successfully?

Not everyone has a serger so can you sew knits with professional results? Joi HELP!

This photo is my altered rolled hem. The stitches look great don’t they? This was done on my regular sewing machine with NO skipped stitches. How did I do that?

- SAMPLES!!! take a swatch or seam allowance of what you are sewing and test your settings first.
- Select a stretch stitch. This hem was full and was not going to be pulling around the body so I left a regular straight stitch in the rolled hem.
- Needles: You have to use a new sharp needle to prevent making runs in the knit, but you also will need a Stretch, Jersey or Microtex needle on fine knits. I recently have adopted the Schmetz CHROME Stretch needle in a size 10 for professional results.
- TENSION: even with the correct needle you may need to adjust your tension. I don’t have to do this too often, but especially in lesser quality fabrics you will need to adjust the tension. Sometimes there is a finish on fabrics that cause the stitches to loop or not form as tight. In this hem I tightened the tension to a 6.2. This allowed the bobbin thread to tighten up and it balanced out the stitching top and bottom for beautiful results.
- SPEED: If you are not consistent with the pressure you are putting on the presser foot than you can cause slipped stitches simply by inconsistencies in the speed. Lower your machine speed to a medium or slow and then you can press the foot all the way down without it taking off on you.
VOILA!


Check my Instagram for a quick live video of when I did this hem in my studio.

Cate combs
09.05.2017 at 23:12I love these tips and tricks. I like to know how I can take my garmets from off the rack to perfect fit!
joi
10.05.2017 at 21:48Awww thanks. Well I am starting my new weekly FB live series on Thursdays at noon so check me out on FB at Designer Joi Mahon. Thanks so much. I am also starting new tips and tricks weekly on Instagram and on my blog. Be watching for something even cooler coming hopefully in June
Lesley Molloy
10.05.2017 at 00:50What sewing machine do you use, Joi?
joi
10.05.2017 at 21:47I use all sorts of machines. I mainly sew on my Destiny, but I have a Jane, a Jazz, Crescendos, and several different sergers. They all do different things.
Rosalee
10.05.2017 at 01:11Great info, thanks, looks fantastic!
joi
10.05.2017 at 21:46You are welcome.
Lesley Molloy
10.05.2017 at 19:45Looked more closely…it’s a Katherine! Looks like a nice machine
joi
10.05.2017 at 21:46The machine in this photo is a Katherine. It is a nice machine and great for quilting. I ma giving one away at Sewing Holiday this summer.