Advice for sewing cotton jersey

[madmidwife]

Hi

Very new member here!!:)

I have a wonderful Singer Harmonie 400 sewing machine-in it's own cabinet and everything!! but all I can do is sew in a straight line!!!

I am working on a new business that involves needing to sew cotton jersey- the item is tied around the waist. I have made a prototype and even bought a ballpoint needle!!

However- when I tie the item- as the fabric stretches I can hear all the stitches ripping!!:o

Can anyone advise me as to how i can sort this out????

Many thanks

Kirsty

[Seahorse]

Either use a zig zag stictch or invest in an overlocker which is designed to work with stretchy fabrics.If its a business then an overlocker would be something handy to have and you can do lots of professional looking things with it.

[madmidwife]

Thanks for that.

An over locker???:confused: what does that do? Are they expensive? Wont my sewing machine do that?
Oh- sorry for all the questions!!

Kirsty

[Moonbeam Angel]

Hello and welcome to the forum,

Zigzag is sometimes used to overlock, but if you want a professional finish then you need to have an overlocker. Your sewing machine won't do it. Overlocking is the funny loopy looking stitches you get on finished items, it stops the edges of the material from fraying.

(not that I'm an expert, but my mum was a machinist for many years)

[silvermaid]

Most machines have a stretch stitch which is ok for sewing stretchy fabric. If you are not sure which one it is try sewing a plain piece of non stretch cotton and watch the stitching. the machine will go forwards and then back about half a stitch and then forwards again.
Some machines also have an overlock style stitch it looks a bit like //////.
Overlockers are not cheap but you can sometimes find them at a reasonable price on ebay. The 4 thread ones are much better than the 3 thread.

Melanie

[madmidwife]

Thankyou so much for all your help and warm welcome. I am off to play with my machine!!! And yes....if you notice the time of this post....I can't sleep when I have these things zooming round my head......do you think the noise of the sewing machine will wake my OH?????

If this project works out----watch out for me on Dragons Den!!!!

Cheers

Kirsty

[madmidwife]

Woo hoo!!! I found a stretch stitch on my machine!!! it worked very well- thanks.

Problem now though- It doesnt' do backwards very well- it just bunches up the material- any other way I can start and finish?

Kirsty

[Kay]

If I am doing stretchy fabric I start and end with the stitch that sews buttons on.

[madmidwife]

If I am doing stretchy fabric I start and end with the stitch that sews buttons on.


oohh....i shall just go and try that!!!

otherwise I am thinking I might be better off finding a professional to do them!!!:)

Kirsty

[Seahorse]

Ano verlocker has about 4 threads which stitch in a way that means the fabric stretches after its sewn.It also can cut a neat edge as it sews.Mine cost £200 from John Lewis.

[emmybabes]

Hiya

If you go for an overlocker go for a Bernina 700D .. fabulous, cheap and simple to use..

I'd suggest the three step zig zag stitch on sewing machines for cotton jersey.

And at the end you could try sewing on paper.. works on fine fabrics but not sure on stretcy stuff..

Emma

[madmidwife]

Thankyou all again for your advice.

The overlockers look complicated to use- are they?

I think I need to spend a lot more time practicing my sewing skills!!

Off to the library to get some books on sewing!!!:)

[Critchley]

What part of the garment are you trying to sew and does it need to stretch, if not there could be a much simpler and cheeper option.

[Jennix]

Just my opinion, but if you sew a lot, I would buy overlock machine too. It gives a professional and nice look. You can have a word in the store and maybe they can show you quickly how it works. It's very simple though.

[reaverifix]

hey, maybe this link will help you find out what you need to know..

ifixmachines.com

you can check it out to find out anything about your machine.. ;)

[madmidwife]

Thanks for the replies. I am trying to make a large "belt" that has a pocket to hold a wheat bag that then ties around your tummy to hold the wheat bag in place- either on your back or on your tummy- it's hard to describe what i mean-oh- i shall try to put a picture in.....Oh- I can't ineed to make more posts!!!
What i do is sew two pieces together the wrong way round- turn it inside out and-- voila!!!
If anyone has any better ideas on how to sew it- feel free to share!!

Now to add some more posts...;)

[Critchley]

Ah, so it would be better if it didn't stretch. Could you incorporate bias binding or something similar in the 'inside' of the belt and it would hold firm not allowing the stitching to give and break.

[madmidwife]

Ah- sorry- belt might not have been the best word. I do need it to stretch because you tie it in a knot to keep it in place. I wish I could put a photo on to show you!!!

Still working on those posts so I can get one on!!!

[Critchley]

Nothing stopping you putting onne in your album then we can all have a look and maybe come up with a solution for you.

[madmidwife]

Oh Thankyou- this forum is great!!!

Have just added a photo of the "belt" to my albums.

many many thanks

Oh- and is sewing a dying art??? Daventry library had not 1 book on the subject!! :mad:

[Critchley]

Oh Thankyou- this forum is great!!!

Have just added a photo of the "belt" to my albums.

many many thanks

Oh- and is sewing a dying art??? Daventry library had not 1 book on the subject!! :mad:
I didn't realise you came from Daventry. OH is a Daventry man.

Ah, yes. Sorry, Don't think there is a simple option. At least not the one I was thinking of.

[madmidwife]

Oh joy- Oh rapture!!!!
Just tried to put all your advice together......and have sewn a trial piece of jersey using stretch stitch- thankyou Melanie, starting and finishing with button stitch- thankyou Kay.

It worked like a dream.... so now....where to source some decent cotton jersey and some rice!!!!!:rolleyes: