help sewing elastic

Use a 'super-stretch' needle if at all possible, and forget the stretch stitches! Use a 3 step zigzag. I'm getting great results this way today.

Reply to
Kate Dicey
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Yup! Just cut it to length, pin in 4 places, and stretch to fit the fabric as you go, pulling equally fore and aft the needle so you don't bend it. Let the feed dogs do the fabric feeding. I'm doing legs and waist of sequined knickers! Gotta make Mark II this pm...

Reply to
Kate Dicey

My Elna CE20 complains when I try to attach new elastic to HD's briefs. Thread globs up underneath, then machine shudders and quits.

Do I need a knits needle? A larger needle? Tension adjust on top? I was using the 'knits' stitch for stretch.

TIA, Jean M.

Reply to
Jean D Mahavier

Thanks, Kate, I plan to go out for needles this morning so will look for those. I did think I would try the 3 step zigzag but haven't yet. Got too frustrated yesterday and left the sewing room :-(

Do I need to stretch the elastic as I sew?

Jean M.

Reply to
Jean D Mahavier

Yes to the above. I usually just use a regular zig-zag. Joy

Reply to
Joy Hardie

Seconded to using regular zig zag to attach eleastic - its all I tend to use, and I usually just use whichever needle happens to be in my machine ;) - most often a size 12 universal. Having said that I usually am only sewing 1/4" wide standard elastic. Anything thicker or wider, I'd probably be checking needle size and attaching technique.

Stretch the elastic as you go - or you won't see the effect of it.

Sarah

Reply to
Sarah Dale

Would this apply when using an overlocker to do the same job? I'm about to start on some underwear for DH.

Reply to
melinda

Ditto on the zig-zag, though use the three step zig-zag on my Pfaff for attaching elastic. Tend to use any needle in the machine. As another poster stated one needs to stretch the elastic as it is being sewn to gain the benefit. The more the elastic is stretched, the "tighter" the result will be.

Candide

"Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It's cheaper." Quentin Crisp 1908 - 1999 _+_+_+_+_+_+__+_+_+_+_

Reply to
Candide

Yes, I have super-stretch needles in my serger right now for sewing nylon & Lycra swimwear and elastic. I have woolly nylon in the loopers and 120's poly in the needles, and I've added a tad of differential feed, and I'm getting perfect stitches. If you want to overlock/serge the elastic on, try to do it so that you ONLY trim the fabric, or the elastic may fail as you have cut off the woven edge. Just lay it in up the sides of the blades rather than passing it through them.

I'm sewing costume knickers and some of them have sequins bonded on: Nice results, no need to swear this time round! ;)

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Well I don't have any wooly thread but I'm only sewing cotton knit, I do have ball point needles but not the super-stretch. I guess I'll give it a go, trial pair from a pattern I traced off an old pair, if it doesn't behave then I'll get the other needles. I know about not trimming into the elastic, I wish I had one of the accessory feet for my machine that feeds the elastic for you.

Reply to
melinda

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