Hi, I'm making some maternity clothing with the stretch knit panel in front. I had a bit of trouble with sewing in the panel, and wondered whether I should be using the knit needle or the regular sharp needle when sewing the different fabrics together. Also, does anyone have any other tips? I've hardly ever sewn knits before at all, let alone mixed knit and plain fabrics like this. Thanks, Liz
A regular needle worked for me doing stuff like that. I don't know if it was right, but I did it. keep the knit fabric down, and the woven against the foot.
HTH
Michelle Giordano
That's what I did the only time I did this (many years ago now!). There's nothing in any of my books about which needle to use in these circumstances, and that worked best for me.
I believe that with knits you should use a ball needle.
Usually you do use a ball point but the OP was using 2 different fabrics and sewing them together. Believe me if Kate does it that way I would too. She knows her stuff! Juno
Just depends, Liz... :) There are Jersey, Stretch, ball point, and Superstretch needles all out there waiting for different knits and stretch fabrics! In this instance the OP was trying to sew an knit elastic panel to a non-stretch woven garment: best practice from my experience is to baste the panel in place and sew from the woven side with a needle to suit that fabric.
Thanks, Juno! :) I do admit to having sewn almost every fabric and combination available to the home and costume sewing loony for the last
40 years! There are a few things I haven't tried yet, like full machine embroidery... Oh, and sewing furs by machine! Fur fabric yes, leather yes, fur by hand, yes, but not yer actual furry animal skins by machine- yet!
The worst by far is stretch Lurex knit with bonded on sequins... AAARRRGGGHHH!!! RRRUUUNNN AAAWWWAAAYYY!!! ('Cept I'm being paid to do it again in the neat future!)
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