Question about knit fabrics

csspencer

Ok, so I'm a new sewer. I'm borrowing my grandmother's sewing machine until I can get the hang of it/decide I actually like sewing. I decided I was going to make myself a knit skirt. I can not figure out how to get it to work right. I've been ok sewing other fabrics, but when I sew the knit, the thread gets all bunched up and looks terrible. Am I missing something? Should I use a special needle for knits? Or it using that type of fabric that much more difficult? Any help would be appreciated.

Justinlove

Sewing knits is a bit different   You will have better success if you use a ball point needle.  If your sewing machine has a stretch stitch, use that.  If not, use a very narrow zigzag.  You can do straight stitches, but if the material stretches, you might pop/break the seam.  Sometimes a walking foot can help since the knit wants to stretch in the machine.  I don't have time to hunt for you, but if you google "sewing with knits" there are a lot of helpful tips out there.  Hope that helps!

csspencer

Thanks, I'll try that when I get home...I was pretty close to giving up last night. Matter of fact, there were a couple of not so nice words coming out of my mouth. I doubt I have a ball point needle, I'll try to go out and get one before I try tonight. My machine does have a stretch stitch, so I'll see about that. My other question, the pattern I found for the skirt, says to use elastic thread in the bobbin. I tried using it, but I have a hard time pulling up the bobbin thread.

I'm sorry if I'm asking too many question, I would ask my grandmother, who was an amazing sewer when she was younger, but she has Dementia/Alzheimer's and can't really remember how to sew anymore.