tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post7611759499063938657..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Knits in a Nutshell with Alyson ClairGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-44488649241748011282012-04-16T13:21:45.794-04:002012-04-16T13:21:45.794-04:00I'm almost 74, have had cataract surgery on bo...I'm almost 74, have had cataract surgery on both eyes and can't see to thread my machine. I used to make all my and my daughter's clothes. That was back when people wore double knit and Whipped Cream, a type of polyester or I guess nylon. I never ever had any problems sewing the knit, no matter the weave or weight. The Whipped Cream would crawl all over the machine as you stitched. I developed my own techniques over time and didn't have any more problems with it. I loved it for clothing, both for myself and for my daughter. Eventually they got permanent press and that was another wonderful fabric. You could make pleated skirts, Iron in the pleats and you could wash with out ironing from then on. I am wanting to sew so very badly. I read your blog and it makes my tongue hang out. My machine is a Elna 9700 with all the fancy stitches, but when I plug in the foot pedal the machine starts stitching and won't stop. I don't know what to do with it or who to get to fix it. I live in a small town about 45 miles NW of Austin, Tx and I live on a very limited Social Security income. I have tons of fabric that I bought in 1993 before going to Japan, I only had time to make up half of it. It is gorgeous Silk looking Poly of some kind. Now I am fatter, older, uglier, and almost infirm, but I want to sew darn it. Any suggestions?????shirleyTxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-1619119616715859042012-01-24T23:53:13.040-05:002012-01-24T23:53:13.040-05:00Wow.. Such a beautiful dress. It such very beauti...Wow.. Such a beautiful dress. It such very beautiful. I impressed by that. Every thing looking awesome. It white color in black dots are fantastic.hasp lockouthttp://www.supplylinedirect.com/store/safetysigns/lockouttagout/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-86759762440217962242010-08-04T18:57:05.059-04:002010-08-04T18:57:05.059-04:00Sergers are terrifying... I've entertained mys...Sergers are terrifying... I've entertained myself at times by imagining a world where seamstresses have to get licenses to use them, like with cars...!weird amigahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10175515933927652366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-57419612941368973142010-07-18T23:52:08.843-04:002010-07-18T23:52:08.843-04:00Great post. Looking forward to more. I have sewn...Great post. Looking forward to more. I have sewn knits for ever and I actually prefer my normal sewing machine to the serger. But the coverstitch sounds good. I just twin needle my hems.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01529416439720810403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-67354388576712349322010-07-13T11:48:04.636-04:002010-07-13T11:48:04.636-04:00Any tips for those of us without a serger?Any tips for those of us without a serger?Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772347627596279696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-25423340466138141232010-07-08T13:06:30.151-04:002010-07-08T13:06:30.151-04:00Thank you, Alyson, for your wonderful and thoughtf...Thank you, Alyson, for your wonderful and thoughtfully detailed post! I have been using a serger and a coverstitch for a little while, and have read up on techniques, and you have already taught me new things.<br />Thanks, Gertie!ElizabethDeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-10974913454686047712010-07-08T09:57:39.289-04:002010-07-08T09:57:39.289-04:00Awesome post!! Thank you for sharing your knowledg...Awesome post!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge about knit fabrics. I've been sewing a lot on knits lately and have been having to recalibrate my sewing methods to work with the different characteristics of knit fabric.<br /><br />I linked to your article over at Craft Gossip Sewing:<br />http://sewing.craftgossip.com/read-all-about-it-sewing-on-knit-fabrics/2010/07/08/<br /><br />--AnneAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00317150870888315110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-78828731799245168912010-07-08T08:38:41.736-04:002010-07-08T08:38:41.736-04:00Great post. Look forward to reading more on knits....Great post. Look forward to reading more on knits.<br /><br />I love your blog, Gertie! So much interesting and useful information.<br /><br />ToryTorynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-38532610271050856802010-07-08T02:37:24.963-04:002010-07-08T02:37:24.963-04:00thanks for the great details in your intro to knit...thanks for the great details in your intro to knits.<br />I have used a single needle with knits, especially silky knits. I am ok if I use a ball point needle and 'stretch' the seam slightly.<br />also: A friend showed me how to sew a mock coverstitch hem using a double needle in a regular machine (a very exciting discovery!).Jen Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12371112170847037417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-65655774545327714912010-07-07T20:49:25.034-04:002010-07-07T20:49:25.034-04:00What a great post! I sew with knits often and I s...What a great post! I sew with knits often and I still picked up lots of new info. Like NancyK, I never used the chainstitch and now I will definitely take advantage of that feature. Just wanted to add that I use a Pfaff sewing machine for knits - the IDT feed makes it so easy. It helps feed the fabric evenly without sucking it down into the feed dogs. And I have used a few different brands of sergers. Sometimes, it IS the machine's fault. If you are never getting good consistent stitches no matter what you do, it might be time to try a different brand. I found Juki was good. Currently I have jet air threading (Babylock) and I LOVE IT. Threading is fast & easy.a little sewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18086285440873869055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-91522273229251282202010-07-07T20:37:20.357-04:002010-07-07T20:37:20.357-04:00Wow! It's all so complicated, but I still wan...Wow! It's all so complicated, but I still want to try. Some of my favourite ~ no wait! All of my favourite dresses are knit fabric. It's so comfy, I really want to make some dresses out it.<br /><br />Thank you for your informative post, they really help. I shall read every one!<br /><br />xox,<br />b. of <a href="http://depictthis.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Depict This!</a>Lavender and Twillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06331125027969557539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-91929349930101287902010-07-07T19:36:11.236-04:002010-07-07T19:36:11.236-04:00Another vote for info on working with knits sans s...Another vote for info on working with knits sans serger, thanks!Big in Japanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12646004059769944464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-36961985502403935092010-07-07T19:14:37.288-04:002010-07-07T19:14:37.288-04:00Loved seeing your toys, and I'm so excited to ...Loved seeing your toys, and I'm so excited to see your turquoise Universal Deluxe. I have one exactly like it! Great machine, though I kinda hate the push button remote. Other than that, it's a sweetie. Mine was $20 at a rummage sale, but I tuned her up myself!<br /><br />Would love to hear more about the differences between your domestic and industrial sergers.Virginia at A Sewing Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15734911883557993627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-43783353514968345642010-07-07T17:32:44.520-04:002010-07-07T17:32:44.520-04:00Great post! I'm looking forward to this series...Great post! I'm looking forward to this series :)Tasiahttp://sewaholic.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-38970804678702348322010-07-07T15:22:18.807-04:002010-07-07T15:22:18.807-04:00Excellent overview. I look forward to future post...Excellent overview. I look forward to future posts.<br /><br />As someone else said, please address whether some knits can be sewn with just a single needle machine for the moment.<br /><br />I don't have a serger or a coverstitch, but in evening classes I have learned to thread a Merrow machine, an industrial serger, which is very challenging to thread.<br /><br />My impression is that it's best make patterns in stretch fabrics by draping. Is that correct?<br /><br />Thanks again.Advanced Beginnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-11787540881347795082010-07-07T15:15:17.600-04:002010-07-07T15:15:17.600-04:00So exciting - this post came at a perfect time. I&...So exciting - this post came at a <i>perfect</i> time. I've just bought a second handserger (my very own green machine) and I havne't attempted knits on it yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-39511219144580944752010-07-07T14:43:27.174-04:002010-07-07T14:43:27.174-04:00[oops, hit "publish" instead of "pr...[oops, hit "publish" instead of "preview"... here's what I meant:]<br /><br />Thanks, Alyson! I breathlessly await your tips for sewing knits on a regular home machine using the zigzag and/or stretch stitch. No serger or coverstitch machine in my home or my budget.Venus de Hilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00424101811517659566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45580922709027681092010-07-07T14:41:18.790-04:002010-07-07T14:41:18.790-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Venus de Hilohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00424101811517659566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50632689474268708852010-07-07T14:21:47.184-04:002010-07-07T14:21:47.184-04:00Very helpful Alyson, thank you! I have some experi...Very helpful Alyson, thank you! I have some experience with coverstitch machines (industrials) and they are Fussy! It does take a while to get the knack of how to work with the fabric and the machines tend to break down easily and often. I noticed that Eileen Fisher skirts sometimes use a zig zag stitch in place of a flatlock and/or hem stitch, so I'm planning to give that a try. I'll let you know how it goes!Diananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-26410220636255486482010-07-07T13:07:10.870-04:002010-07-07T13:07:10.870-04:00Thanks Alyson! You know, I found this post more va...Thanks Alyson! You know, I found this post more valuable than some books I have browsed through about knits! Thanks for taking the time to photograph everything you were talking about - this was especially usefulfangaronihttp://fangaroni.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-37762315006332385202010-07-07T12:39:35.892-04:002010-07-07T12:39:35.892-04:00Don't worry Charlotte it is OK. My next post w...Don't worry Charlotte it is OK. My next post will address that topic.Alyson Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165924077927247799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-79068496077943261362010-07-07T12:24:40.932-04:002010-07-07T12:24:40.932-04:00Oh dear--I hope it's OK to sew knits on a conv...Oh dear--I hope it's OK to sew knits on a conventional one-needle machine with a stretch stitch. Alyson, please include some tips as well for those of us who may be using these machines.Charlotte Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09584389308420834826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-71473827015041117012010-07-07T12:19:34.940-04:002010-07-07T12:19:34.940-04:00A few quick answers:
Nancy K - No, I do not use p...A few quick answers:<br /><br />Nancy K - No, I do not use pins. They seem to slow me down, and after a while you can learn to handle the fabric with out them. If you feel more comfortable using them do to start, just make sure not to run them over with your serger.<br /><br />Karen - I have a little knowledge of thicker fabrics. I'd say make sure you have the appropriate weight thread and needles for the materials you are using. If you are shopping in person, ask the sales staff what they recommend using with the specific materials.<br /><br />oonaballoona - You should be able to turn the cutter foot off. I rely on mine to trim the edges perfect against the stitching. Play with your presser foot and see if it is easier to start the seam with the fabric in front of the foot and let the feeddogs grab it. Or lift the foot, place the fabric under, put down the foot and go. <br /><br />Gretchen - I'll look into it with some of my friends who use this function. I tend to do all my blind hems by hand. <br /><br />Jenny - Try a tune up on the machine and a class. I have thrown the timing off on machines by sewing over pins, or having massive thread clogs. If you are threading according to the diagram have missed stitches, it could be the timing. I had a situation once where one of my tension dials was off and making all sorts of trouble!<br /><br />Sheila - I have seen the Jet-Air threading and I'm not sure the bang is worth the buck. Mainly since the price was around the cost of an industrial machine. My friend had one and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to use the air thing. I use my tweezers to help me thread, and when changing thread colors tie the thread off and pull it through. Just carefully guide it when going through the tension dials. Don't give up on your coverstitch! It was the hardest thing for me to learn.<br /><br />Yay knits!Alyson Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12165924077927247799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-70831429233002627172010-07-07T11:53:09.291-04:002010-07-07T11:53:09.291-04:00thanks so much! I really hope to get a serger soon...thanks so much! I really hope to get a serger soon, and this helps me get ready!out of orderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14650137051301411578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-39106599043234182762010-07-07T11:43:34.713-04:002010-07-07T11:43:34.713-04:00Thanks for the post! This was so informative.Thanks for the post! This was so informative.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02998216871239619397noreply@blogger.com