Elastic Stitching Mess

My experience with elastic has been similar. I think it's because the rubber in the elastic "grabs" the top thread on its way through. The only think found which helped was tightening the needle tension "really" tight...like up to 9 on my 43-year-old Singer 401A.

HTH,

-- Beverly

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Re: Elastic Stitching Mess

What's happening here is that the needle thread is being grabbed and hung onto by the elastic, and the loop that works round rhw bobbin case stayes down there rather than being pulled back up again. There are a couple of things you can try:

Different needle: try a fairly heavy duty Jersey;knit needle

Thread: try coating it with thread conditioner like Thread Magic

Different thread: try a different thread: I find a really good quality thread like Gutterman Poly works better with elastic than cheaper fuzzier threads.

Different machibe! Do you have a serger available?

-- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons

"Kate Dicey" wrote

Thank you for the description of why this problem happens. It helps to know the mechanics of the problem. I hadn't thought of changing thread type and didn't know about thread conditioner so I will definitely give that a try.

I have been wanting a serger for some time and if I really get into making these garments as a business a serger will become a "must have". I can't afford to replace my machine at present (and it holds a lot of sentimental value for me as well), but I would like to make a serious "technological upgrad" within a year or so, even if I don't get my business off the ground.

A sincere thank you to the other posters as well for your ideas.

Caryl

I find the serger vital for customer work: that 'factory finish' is what a lot of them expect. I do try to educate people as I go, especially where a hand or other finish is indicated, but some will never learn! ;)

I find that some elastic is easier to sew than others: best thing is to experiment with a few and see what gives the best result in both elastic effect and stitch finish. If you are looking to do this on any scale, look into buying the elastic wholesale by the roll, and look out for the type of lengerie elastic they use in the business: it gives much better results that those little haberdashery and notions packs. I have some factory knicker elastic - the sew-on-flat sort, and it is way superior to the little packs or off the roll most shops cary.

Zigzag stitches also tend to work better on elastic than straight stitches! :)

-- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons

If you're looking to sew lingerie for sale, you might also look into purchasing a coverstitch machine. I purchased one for our tights business and absolutely love it. My customers appreciate the factory finish look of it.

As to the thread bunching up on you: switch to a ball-point needle and use good quality thread, like Guterman or Molnlyke.

Huh?! I always use zigzag on my elastic.. I would never use a straight stitch unless it was something very unusual ( which I have yet to come across )

Mavis

I think perhaps Kate was addressing those who don't have zig-zag capability.

-- Beverly

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of them expect. I do try to educate people as I go, especially where a hand or other finish is indicated, but some will never learn! ;)

And this is precisely why I have never bothered to spend the large amount required for a serger. If I am going to make clothes for myself, I want them to look "custom made", not "off the assembly line". Mind you, if an orphan serger turned up on my doorstep begging for shelter, I would not turn it away, but I am not about to spend large sums of money for something I would use so seldom.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

I love using my serger......it is just a little one but for assembly it is wonderful for lots of things.........I guess for me it is ease of use, not the seam finish that counts....at least not on Bermuda shorts for golf or t-shirts for same!!

Re: Elastic Stitching Mess

There are times when you need a straight stitch showing on the outside of something.

-- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons

If you like to sew a lot of knits, or ravely fabric, NOTHING beats a serger. If you're sewing in a hurry, the speed is great.

If time is no problem and you or the customer wants the couture look, nothing beats a needle and silk thread! :)

-- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons

If the elastic is sewn into the waistband of trousers, almost like a facing, then you want straight stitches on the outside. I sometimes use a twin needle for this, as it's inherently stretchy. Works a bit better than a standard straight stitch, especially if you use a ball point twin needle (but they come in a smaller range of sizes and cost more than universal twins), but where it's possible, I zigzag.

-- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons

Just give me until after the 20th, and then all I need is 24 hours notice - you're welcome any time! You get to sleep in the sewing room!

-- Kate XXXXXX Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons

Caryl

I don't believe it's static. Your top thread is causing the problem. It's going down through the elastic and the elastic is clamping down on the thread preventing it from being pulled taut so the loop of thread that winds around the bobbin to form each stitch is staying in the bobbin case creating a thread nest. I've had this happen and usually can fix it by changing to a finer needle.

Ahh, now this I've done... very effective

Mavis