Sewing Question (Paging ITK)

stoneycakes

I want to sew some jersey.  I was reading that using a twin needle works pretty well for this.  Do I need to have a special twin needle setting on my sewing machine?  Or will it work with a regular straight stitch setting?

Into+the+Kitty

It will work with a regular straight stitch. You just use two spools of thread in your machine. Make sure you buy a ballpoint twin needle if you will be using it on jersey.

I've only ever done it once because I just didn't care for it. It allowed for more stretch than a single needle, but the stretch was minimal, it didn't lay right, and I didn't like the look in the back of the garment. I ended up investing in a coverstitch machine which I would probably save if my house caught on fire.

stoneycakes

Into+the+Kitty said:

It will work with a regular straight stitch. You just use two spools of thread in your machine. Make sure you buy a ballpoint twin needle if you will be using it on jersey.

I've only ever done it once because I just didn't care for it. It allowed for more stretch than a single needle, but the stretch was minimal, it didn't lay right, and I didn't like the look in the back of the garment. I ended up investing in a coverstitch machine which I would probably save if my house caught on fire.

LOL.  Yeah I'm trying not to have to invest in another machine.  I don't sew enough to really legitimize a major purchase like that.  I would really like to make myself some nicer clothes that are comfortable, though.  I want stretchy clothes for lounging and playing, but I would like them to be nice enough that I could run errands in them, too.  I feel like I'm always changing into something I find acceptable in order to go out.  And then immediately changing back into yoga pants when I get home, haha.

What's the difference between a coverstich machine and a serger?

Into+the+Kitty

stoneycakes said:

Into+the+Kitty said:

It will work with a regular straight stitch. You just use two spools of thread in your machine. Make sure you buy a ballpoint twin needle if you will be using it on jersey.

I've only ever done it once because I just didn't care for it. It allowed for more stretch than a single needle, but the stretch was minimal, it didn't lay right, and I didn't like the look in the back of the garment. I ended up investing in a coverstitch machine which I would probably save if my house caught on fire.

LOL.  Yeah I'm trying not to have to invest in another machine.  I don't sew enough to really legitimize a major purchase like that.  I would really like to make myself some nicer clothes that are comfortable, though.  I want stretchy clothes for lounging and playing, but I would like them to be nice enough that I could run errands in them, too.  I feel like I'm always changing into something I find acceptable in order to go out.  And then immediately changing back into yoga pants when I get home, haha.

What's the difference between a coverstich machine and a serger?

If you look at the inside of the shirt you're wearing now, (it's likely that) a coverstitch hem is the seam on the bottom of your shirt. It has two parallel lines of stitching on the front and triangular stitching on the back. A coverstitch machine does not cut fabric, it is only good for making one type of hem (although mine has one/two/three needle options, so it works for neck holes or stretchy straight stitches too). Very stretchy, hard to break.

The serger makes (among other various useful finishing edges) the seams that are on the side of your shirt. A serger has knife; it cuts and binds two pieces of fabric together. Moderate stretch, harder to break than stretch stitches on sewing machine, but easier to break than a coverstitch.

A coverstitch machine is not a serger, but some sergers can convert to a coverstitch. I prefer having two separate machines because I've heard it's a major PITA to switch back and forth between serging and coverstitch on the dual machines.

Into+the+Kitty

Also you should get some wooly nylon thread for your bobbin. It is much more stretchy and durable that poly/cotton thread. I'll PM you the link where I buy mine, and I'm pretty sure they have a free shipping promo right now so I'll send that too.

zaraceligon

A walking foot will made easy to sew jersy fabric too.

ElleBeeDub

I feel like such an amateur right now... Maybe if I stop saying "I sew," and start saying "I quilt," it'll make me feel better...

TJ1979

Into+the+Kitty said:
If you look at the inside of the shirt you're wearing now, (it's likely that) a coverstitch hem is the seam on the bottom of your shirt. It has two parallel lines of stitching on the front and triangular stitching on the back. A coverstitch machine does not cut fabric, it is only good for making one type of hem (although mine has one/two/three needle options, so it works for neck holes or stretchy straight stitches too). Very stretchy, hard to break.

The serger makes (among other various useful finishing edges) the seams that are on the side of your shirt. A serger has knife; it cuts and binds two pieces of fabric together. Moderate stretch, harder to break than stretch stitches on sewing machine, but easier to break than a coverstitch.

A coverstitch machine is not a serger, but some sergers can convert to a coverstitch. I prefer having two separate machines because I've heard it's a major PITA to switch back and forth between serging and coverstitch on the dual machines.

OMG ITK, you are right!  These are the exact stitches on both the bottom and side of my shirt.  It's like you're psychic... or watching me... What was that noise in the basement?  Wait a second... I don't HAVE a basement!

Into+the+Kitty

Chickypoo2468 said:

I'm with Z. A walking foot is so much simpler. I don't even know what you guys are talking about.

Totally separate from the stuff we're talking about.

unaveragejane

This thread just made me incredibly depressed. I specifically bought my serger b/c I thought it was supposed to be great for sewing knits. Now you tell me I can't use it to hem a t-shirt? Stop the insanity!!!!

Into+the+Kitty

unaveragejane said:

This thread just made me incredibly depressed. I specifically bought my serger b/c I thought it was supposed to be great for sewing knits. Now you tell me I can't use it to hem a t-shirt? Stop the insanity!!!!

It's specifically for knits, but not for hemming. That's why Stoney wants the twin needle cheaters hem. Or according to every terrible blog about sewing with knits, you don't have to hem since it doesn't roll. It will just look awful.

nonimouse12

I just zigzag stitch knits with a ballpoint/jersey needle. Doesn't look quite as good but works for me!