How To Sew Stretchy Fabric Without Falling Into Despair
Knowing how to sew stretch fabric is a valuable skill that will come in handy for a variety of sewing projects. Stretch fabrics are popular because they are comfortable, easy to wear, and require little maintenance. It isn’t as difficult as you might think!
What is a stretch fabric?
Stretch fabric is a generic term for any textile that has more recovery and stretch than is normally expected; most stretch fabrics are knits, and jersey fabrics account for a large portion of this group because they stretch both crosswise and lengthwise.
Can I learn how to sew with stretchy fabrics with my home sewing machine?
A zigzag stitch on a standard sewing machine can be used as an alternative to a serger for handling stretch fabrics and creating a polished finish. The difficulty some people might have sewing stretchy fabrics comes from the amount of stretch.
Top Tips for sewing stretch fabric
The goal is to ensure that the finished seams lie neatly and flat while also not breaking when the garment is worn.
How to handle the fabric
Pre-wash your stretchy fabric and lay it flat to dry for at least a day to ensure that it retains its shape. Some stretchy fabrics, such as knitted jersey, have edges that curl, making sewing even more difficult.
What thread & needle to use for stretch fabric
All stretchy knit fabrics should be sewn with a special needle, either a ballpoint or a stretch needle. A ballpoint needle has a rounded tip that pushes the yarns away from the needle when sewing. Cotton-thread should be avoided because it can break when pulled.
The Best Stretch Stitches & Sewing Machine Settings for Stretchy Fabrics
Narrow zigzag, Overedge stitch, and Twin-needle stitch are the best stitches for sewing stretch fabrics. A dual feed foot or walking foot attachment for your machine is great for preventing one layer of material from stretching out when sewing. We hope these top tips for how to sew stretchy fabrics will give you confidence.
What kind of stitch do I use for stretchy fabric?
A zigzag stitch is the best stitch for stretchy fabric because we need a flexible stitch that can stretch with the fabric. There are different zigzag stitches depending on the fabric and its intended use.
Can you use straight stitch on stretch fabric?
Stretch the fabric slightly (and gently) as it passes under the presser foot when sewing knits with a straight stitch; to do so, apply equal pressure on both sides of the needle by slightly pulling the fabric.
Can I sew knits with a regular sewing machine?
You have a few options for sewing knits on a regular machine. When sewing knit fabrics on your sewing machine, look for jersey or ballpoint needles, which have a dull tip that slides between the fibers of the fabric rather than through them.
What is a 90 14 needle used for?
90/14 u2013 suitable for medium weight fabrics, such as slightly heavier weight cotton, polyester, linen, and lightweight upholstery fabric; lighter weight fabrics, such as silk (chiffon, organza, crepe-de-chine), will require a smaller needle.
What tension should I use on my sewing machine?
So we’ll just talk about the top thread tension because that’s where you’d usually make the adjustments: the dial settings range from 0 to 9, with 4.5 being the ‘default’ setting for normal straight-stitch sewing and most fabrics.
What does a stretch stitch look like on a sewing machine?
It looks like a lightning bolt and works similarly to a zig-zag stitch, except the needle goes back a little to overlap the previous stitch, giving the stretch stitch a more straight-line appearance while remaining just as stretchy.