Sewing with knits might seem to be an insurmountable undertaking at first glance.
How can you even begin with a fabric that is this complicated and has so much space for error? How do you avoid the common mistakes that might turn a promising enterprise into a tragedy after you’ve gotten things going?
You’ve come to the proper site if you’re asking which stitches are the most effective or which concerns to be on the lookout for.
How to Sew Knits is a comprehensive handbook on the subject. All of the information you need to get started is provided here, along with some helpful additional tips that will elevate your knitwear to a higher level of excellence.
Difficult to sew knit fabric?
When it comes to sewing, knits are one of the most pleasant materials to work with, yet their apparently enigmatic properties may be frustrating for those who are new to the craft. This comprehensive beginner’s guide to sewing with knit fabrics will simplify the process and enable you to accomplish any project with ease and success.
How to Sew Knits: Some Pointers
Just a few things to help you with your project before we get to the step-by-step instructions.
- To prevent harming knit fabric, a ballpoint pin may be used to hold it in place.
- Practice with a scrap of cloth to see how well your needle works. If it’s drab, replace it with a fresh one!
- Run your sewing machine through its paces on a piece of cloth to ensure it is in proper operating order.
- Do not strain your fabric while stitching or fight the feed of your sewing machine’s needle.
- Make sure that the cloth is supported correctly so that it does not fall, and shift your stitch while the machine is operating.
- If there is any stretching, use the steam feature on your iron to steam the seam back into shape. It will shrink back to its former size as a result of the heat and moisture.
Seaming Knits – Sewing with Knits
It is critical to the performance and endurance of the knit that you are creating that you use a two-part seam for woven textiles.
Good seams are essential for producing a professional-quality end result, so here’s what you should do as part of your preliminary preparation:
- Look at the stitches that were utilized to create the cloth you’ve selected to make sure they’re well-constructed.
- Determine whether or not the stitch you wish to use is appropriate for the garment you’re working on.
- The standard stitch has a seam that is.25 inches in width and length.
Stitch #1: Zigzag Stitch
The zigzag stitch is essential for sewing knits since it makes the process more simpler than it has ever been.
- What You’ll Need to Get Started:
- Sewing machine (optional).
- Pencil with a ballpoint needle
- Choose a knit fabric of your liking.
- Use thread that complements your cloth.
Steps:
One stitch of 1.5mm length should be sewn, then another stitch of.5mm length should be sewn over it, until the stitch is.5 mm thick.
- Sew a “zig” of the same length as the thread you just put on, but in the opposite direction of the stitch you just stitched on.
- Continue to follow the pattern until your seam is complete.
- Always remember to backstitch at the start and finish of every seam.
- Cut the excess thread near to the clothing.
Stitch #2: Faux Overlock Stitch
The Faux Overlock Stitch is one of the most effective methods of ensuring that your knit stitches are very solid in their placement. What You’ll Need to Get Started:
- Sewing machine (optional).
- Pencil with a ballpoint needle
- Any fabric of your choosing
- Use thread that complements your cloth.
Steps:
Without stretching the cloth, proceed by producing a zigzag pattern in the manner described before.
- Run the machine over each zigzag a second time to ensure that everything is safe.
- To do this task fast and properly, use the zigzag and overlock stitches built into your machine.
- It’s important to remember to back stitch at the beginning and finish of every seam!
- Cut the excess thread near to the clothing.
For further security, this stitch may have two optional parallel seams, which can be put on each side of the fake overlock stitch that secures the thread.
Stitch #3: Reinforced Straight Stitch
If you are new to knitting and don’t know how to sew knits, this is the ideal stitch for you to start with. What You’ll Need to Get Started:
- Sewing machine (optional).
- Pencil with a ballpoint needle
- Any fabric of your choosing
- Use thread that complements your cloth.
Steps:
- Leave the seam allowance unfinished.
- Begin by sewing into the cloth from one side at a time, making sure that your thread is alternated on the top and bottom.
- Go over each stitch a second time until it is approximately.5 mm thick.
- Always remember to backstitch at the start and finish of every seam.
- Cut the excess thread near to the clothing.
This stitch is excellent for beginning sewers since it is already included in the majority of sewing machines.
Hemming Knits When Sewing Them
When hemming your knitwear, it is essential to use the correct seam stitch.
All of your hems should be double folded so that you can quickly get rid of superfluous fabric. To help you get started, here are some pointers:
- Pay attention to how well the outfit fits. The answer to this question depends on your own preferences.
- The hem of any garment has a significant impact on how it fits. Think about how much give you want in it.
Twin Needle: for Fitted Knits
When stitching a coverstitch, the twin needle is the ideal stitch to use for the hem. This needle will allow for more precise hemming and a better-fitting clothing.
Knits with a looser fit benefit from a narrower zigzag pattern
The narrow zigzag stitch is the best choice if you want to make a narrower hem. To give your clothing a looser fit, the zigzag pattern has a more narrow width.
Straight Stitch Reinforcement: for Strong Knits
Stretchy hems are ideal for strong knits, and this stitch may be used to make them. Soft and spongy textiles, on the other hand, do not work as well with this method. When in doubt, use this stitch instead.
And that’s all there is to it! Grab your knitting needles and your sewing tools, because it’s going to freak out.
FAQ’s
Is it possible to stitch knits using a standard sewing machine?
A. If you’re sewing knit materials, you may imagine you’ll need an overlocker or a serger to finish the job. But don’t be concerned if you just have an ordinary sewing machine; sewing knits is very achievable with a conventional sewing machine. There’s no need for expensive or specialized sewing machines!
What kind of stitch do you like to use for knits?
A. A zigzag stitch is the greatest stitch for knitting, and it ranks first on your list. There are relatively few scenarios in which a zigzag pattern will not provide satisfactory results. Given that it has a little amount of give to it, while you wear it, those stitches are not put under stress as the cloth stretches against your body.
Is it necessary to use a walking foot while sewing knits?
A. A walking foot, also called as an Even Feed foot, is designed to feed two layers of fabric through the machine at the same time in an even and consistent manner. The fabric is not stretched out throughout the sewing process, which makes it suitable for knit materials that are very elastic. A walking foot stops your machine from “eating” the cloth you are working with.
Is it possible to stitch knits without using a serger?
A. Knit fabric can be sewn with a conventional sewing machine with no problems! Don’t allow the fact that you don’t have a serger prevent you from making cozy knit clothes.
