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Two questions, if I may

For context, I am a guy with a bit of heavy canvas/sail repair sewing experience. Have also done some Polartec Windbloc work, recut my blue jeans for a better fit, and regularly "bring in" casual shirts for a trimmer fit. I have a medium duty walking foot machine, plus an old Pfaff 130 with a aftermarket button holer, and some machine given to me by a friend because his wife had a hard time keeping it running, so he bought her a new one. I am looking to expand my sewing, because frankly it's fun.

Question #1:

Those long seams down the under sleeve of men's shirts, however do they sew them _through_ the sleeve (top stitching I think it's called). Looks like special production equipment, though maybe I just overlooked the obvious.

Question #2:

(I tore apart an old rugby shirt to use as a pattern, transfered to cheap cotton to pattern better and am near to start cuttiing some nice looking green cotton I have. Problem is, I can't find any pre-made knit cuffs in anything but stark white or midnight blue. I found some (2) cotton jersey "kinda" the right color, but the sales lady (she and I only vaguely spoke the same English, and I speak no Chinese) indicated the cotton jersey's were too light and suggested I look at the wool jersey's. Heavier they were, but I am concerned about mixing cotton shirting with wool cuffs.)

Is is possible, i.e. practical, to buy a very low end knitting machine and knit my own cuffs in whatever colors (plural, as I figure I will make more such shirts, and even some foul weather gear for boating)? It looks like I can pickup an old, possibly too small for knitting machine buffs, machine for under $50, including shipping. Kinda pricey for a set of cuffs, but what the hey, if I get the cuffs to match the shirt I am probably ahead, and lots ahead maybe in the future.

What's say? A reasonable idea, or off the wall?

TIA

Reply to
jaxashby
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Reply to
cea

Felled seams. Like this:

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(scroll down to felled seams). :)>

Google for 'tubular cuffing'. You may want to look for one with a Lycra/Spandex/Elastane content. Black and white are fairly common, but colours are a little harder to come by. Good luck!

Bit mad, but I like it! ;) But then I make fairy wings, spay decks for kyaks, farthingales...

Reply to
Kate Dicey

Or you could go to:

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them a call and see if they can help you with cuffs. I've gotten premade ones from them several times and have been very happy with them. They are reasonable, nice to talk to and ship quickly.Juno

Reply to
Juno

Ribbing is usually made in a knit-purl-knit-purl-knit or knit-knit-purl-purl-knit-knit-purl-purl-knit-knit etc. pattern. It's what gives them the extra stretch and ability to return to shape. Most if not all "low end" knitting machines (but my knowledge of machines is at least thirty years out-of -date) probably only do "stockinet" stitch, i.e, knit-knit-knit-knit-knit (which on the reverse side will be purl-purl-purl-purl-purl.) Also, the smallest gauge size (stitches per inch) might not be small enough for your purpose.

While one *might* do for your purpose, be sure to check into the machine's capabilities.

Beverly

Reply to
BEI Design

With a ribber bed, it is possible to do many different ribbings, but knitting machines generally take a yarn the weight of sport or baby yarn and larger. Knitted cuffs for shirts is done with a very fine yarn, more like thread, and done on a commercial machine.

A knitting machine is loads of fun and does the dull part of knitting fast and well, leaving you to do the fancier work by hand or with punchcards or electronics, and I would never discourage you from getting one to try, but it won't make a fine ribbed cuff.

I have had no trouble amassing quite a collection of ribbing in an assortment of colors. I generally buy it at a mill end fabric store.

Reply to
Pogonip

Yup, special equipment. But you can do it with a freearm machine and some blue air. Or french seam it... nice and sturdy and quite tidy.

You might want to check out the fabric links from

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or, especially for cotton knits andribbing (with lycra, please), try a place like wazoodle.com or Anne St. Clair at Needlenook Fabrics.Stretch and sew has or had a pretty good rugby shirt pattern, btw... And socks are pretty good sources of ribbing.

The issue then becomes finding the yarn to match the fabric. ;-)

Not unreasonable, but take a look at places like wazoodle for matching knit and ribbing, or at knit specialists like Anne, who has always been quite helpful when I've needed something I couldn't find locally.

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

She will dye fabric - at least the stuff for bras, but I'm sure she would do what ever she carries. You could probably order the shirt and ribbing together or send her a swatch of what she has to match.

Joy

Reply to
Joy

...

I am looking to expand my sewing, because

Will you marry me? Seriously!!! LOL.

I don't understand what you are talking about in question 1, so I am skipping that. For question two, why not pick up the whit ribbing and a package of RIT Dye? Or maybe check another store just in case.

HTH

Michelle

Reply to
Doug&Michelle

Thanks all! I started with one idea, if a bit kluged, and came away with four additional ideas. I have already ordered from two suppliers I didn't know about, bought some white ribbing extra to see how Rit dye works on them. I'll also check out some department stores for sox that might match. Thrift stores around here tend to be more like off-price boutiques, but I'll watch them as well. Again, Thanks!

Reply to
jaxashby

flat felled, David Page Coffin's book "Shirtmaking" ( Taunton Press) has detailed directions.

Reply to
small change

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