The Best Sewing Machine Stitches for your Stretch Fabrics! My Top 5 Favourites

Using the right stitch on your stretch fabric projects means your work will look professional, it will be strong and durable - but most of all, it really will stretch when you need it to! Watch now to see how you can ensure your projects will stay stretchy for you!
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[@PeaceCreek1]

Thank you so much for this video! You have helped me understand WHY certain stitches work/don't work for stretch knits, and how to identify good options. I have a vintage sewing machine with lots of decorative stitches, but it is old enough not to include the modern stretch stitch. I know it does contain some stitches that have combinations of zigzag and straight stitch, though, so now I'll be able to look for better options than the zig zag that I've used previously.

[@AbisDen]

Interesting fact, those stretch stitches are as old as ever. It’s just adapting the machine to use the lightning bolt and the knit is available on some really old machines from the 60’s, it’s whether or not it’s available. I’m so glad the video has helped you. ☺️Happy sewing!

[@sharonmckenzie4403]

Really clear, concise instructions. No waffling and waving examples out of shot. Brilliant!

[@AbisDen]

Thank you ✨😊

[@jezabelledb5556]

Thank you so much! Stretch fabrics - the bane of the seamstress's working life! I've tried all sorts of stitches before, but not those ones. I've got to make a dress for a customer who doesn't want a zip in it, so it's all in stretch fabric and I wanted to find an alternative for stitching the waistband. I've tested those last 2 stitiches out on some offcuts and they work brilliantly. Saves me having to faff around with overlockers!

[@AbisDen]

Amazing, I’m glad I’ve managed to help. Good luck with the dress 👗

[@vallang4832]

You are explaining exactly what I wanted to listen to. Thank you.

[@AbisDen]

You're very welcome

[@helenparker1870]

A good demonstration. I recently re-read my sewing machine manual and found a bunch of 'utility' stitches that I had never used. It is well worth checking what you already have, before buying a new machine with more 'bells and whistles'.

[@TrippiePineapplz]

Unfortunately Ive tried each option with the result only being birds nest underneath. Can you please address tension settings as related to the stitches?

[@naleah5936]

@@TrippiePineapplz most likely your bobbin isn’t threaded correctly tension is the last thing you ever change

[@earthylovemedicine3587]

This really helps, thank you. I now feel more confident sewing stretchy fabrics... 😁

[@AbisDen]

Wonderful!

[@KeepItSwift]

Dear lady, thank you very much!

[@amymckee5075]

You’re using my machine!! I learned so much about my machine from your videos. Thank you.

[@rosaliepingree4198]

I've learned a lot! your machine are so clean and never vibrate and don't make a lot of noise! Pittsburgh, PA USA

[@AbisDen]

Thanks for watching! Just give your machines a quick wipe down after every use :-) If your machine is making lots of noise... unscrew the needle plater, lift out the bobbin casing and squeeze a drop of machine oil into the centre :-)

[@MiMiChic]

Thanks!

[@AbisDen]

Thank you so much xx

[@sewtritionistrdn1956]

Thanks for this video - never thought of those stitches ever not holding up. You opened my eyes I didn't know before.

[@dorothy8701]

Brilliant and clear explanation. Really helps make it stick in your memory when seeing a video with clear explanations.

[@colinrobson738]

Thank you Abi. I think this is very helpful if you are using really stretchy fabric for a close fitting garment, especially a sports garment. However, I do think some of the stitches you've rejected are fine for regular knits. I use the triple stitch on my grandchildren's pyjamas, and often use a simple zigzag to oversew a neckband. It also depends on what stitches you have! On the machine I had for years until 2 years ago, I was grateful just to have a zigzag stitch! And I still use a short wide zigzag with my overlock foot as it tangles less, and looks quite neat as a finish on seams. But I will definitely bear your suggestions in mind if I ever sew performance fabrics!

[@tynouiy]

Ah!! This is perfect!! I kept seeing advice just to use zigzag, but this is wonderful advice, thank you! Now I think I can repair my favorite athletic pants :)

[@AbisDen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rosferguson3979]

Thank you Abi...so many stitch options available. Now I know which one to use for this job 🙏💖🙏

[@AbisDen]

You are welcome 😊

[@jeanwilson1385]

Been sewing on and off for years never realised those stitches were better than zig zag, normally use twin needles for hem but those are more decorative and only one bobbin...thankyou so much

[@AbisDen]

Thanks Jean. They’re actually designed as ‘knit’ stitches and I agree, they are much nicer than a zigzag aren’t they? X

[@suzannelockett1706]

Oh Abi, I never thought of those stitches for jersey! I’ve just made a complete dress without once resorting to using my overlocker! Beautiful result. Thank you.

[@swylie516]

You are amazing, thank you so much. 🙏❤️ I was about to buy a $500 coverstitch machine to sew one pair of merino wool base layers until I stumbled upon your video and realized that's unnecessary. Thank you!!

[@lydiaw.9087]

Abi that is A-MA-ZING! Thank you so so so much!

[@AbisDen]

Thank you :-)

[@kwaaaa]

What an excellent video, very clear and giving the reason why the other stitches didnt work really helps people like myself just getting started with knit fabrics.

[@mrsdutch1949]

Wow! Thank you Abi! This was great. Granted, I've not sewn much stretch fabric until the last couple of years, but I just took the general advice i.e. Use a zigzag stitch for stretch fabrics. You have opened my eyes! Thank you Abi, brilliant advice as always.

[@losik01]

Thank you Abi, you are an amazing woman ❤.

[@bethanyrl9989]

Thank you so much! I keep having trouble with the zig zag popping and now I know what to try!

[@corteltube]

So helpful…thanks..exactly solved my problem

[@AbisDen]

Amazing. Thank You for Commenting.

[@Tayxncole]

Thank you so much! I just started working with knit fabrics this is so helpful!

[@AbisDen]

You are so welcome!

[@ArtUndertheArch]

Thank you for this! It’s exactly what I needed. I’m new to sewing, and I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong with the zigzag stitch on stretch fabric - now I know what stitch to use and WHY (the technical tidbits behind the stitches really helped me wrap my head around it)

[@brendaeves3236]

What a great video! I’ve always used just the zig zag- not anymore. Thank you for this Abi.

[@AbisDen]

You are so welcome!

[@momonneymo8104]

Fantastic video, thank you !

[@AbisDen]

Thank you too!

[@crystallionaire]

Thanks for this video! I've been pulling my hair out trying to figure out how to sew with stretch fabric without the stitches doing weird things

[@AbisDen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@143yaknow]

I'm about to use the heck out of these fancy stitches to do some stretchy dresses for dance and movement!! Also my machine manual is my best friend as a beginner for all the settings I need!

[@audreybond2864]

Well well well I've learn't something here. Thank you so much for sharing such a valuable piece of information. You're such a gem Abi.

[@johannabarnes6147]

Love watching you video's ❤ always learn something new thank you

[@cathyleach9064]

Absolutely brilliant. Really appreciated your video. Thankyou

[@AbisDen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@darknessfierce4209]

Great video🙌 You can use stretch thread like a nylon, for example Also, back stitching, beginning and end will knot, less likely to pull out Some people don’t have tools so you have to use what you have Also, considering the workload and the speed of the stitches

[@AbisDen]

Thank you. I’ve never used stretch thread and speaking to the manufacturers, they only recommend it for industry. It’s not used domestically because it’s not needed

[@camilledespocq8175]

that was so clear, thanks for the video, really helpful !

[@AbisDen]

Brilliant 🤩

[@minutiox9104]

Thank you for this video! The demonstrations really helped me understand how to best utilize my machine stitches

[@SurabhiSingh-mp9te]

Thanks a lot for making this video❤ Super helpful especially for knit fabric beginners like myself!

[@AbisDen]

You are so welcome! 🤗

[@joladerach7056]

Thank you! Enjoyed the pop up art too! Blessing!

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

Thanks for the demonstration. :-)

[@AbisDen]

My pleasure!

[@hitoortega1616]

Thank we learn every day

[@AbisDen]

we really do

[@MichaelLogan-y5w]

Thank you for explaining so well, Very helpful

[@luisgordillo1695]

Hi. I'm looking into making something with stretch fabric and this Video is very helpful thanks .

[@AbisDen]

You’re welcome 😊

[@GabriellaConstance]

So incredibly helpful! Thank you so much ❤

[@colin101981]

Thanks Abi, great video - I learned some things about stitching I'd not heard before. Thanks for your content.

[@amandac.5846]

Thank you, this is great! I needed this!

[@adelinemarechal5539]

really great tutorial, thank you. I always learn so much in your video.

[@TheSpanishClassroom]

Great video. Thank you🎉🎉

[@AbisDen]

Thanks for watching!

[@moriscondo5511]

this was very helpful, thank you!

[@JD-hy2pg]

Excellent👏👏👏Thank you for sharing.

[@AbisDen]

Thank you too

[@KukaiTori]

This is fascinating and confirms my doubts about straightforwardly going with a simple zigzag! This is a rookie question, for sure, but is there no need to backstitch for these types of non-straight stitches?

[@AbisDen]

You need to Lock the stitches at either end and thank you 🙏🏽 👋🏽

[@DanielCoffey67]

Thank you for the video - it was a very good explanation of the reasons why some stitches are not suitable for stretchy knits. I am about to start making my own t-shirts in some 2x2 cotton rib knit that is moderately stretchy for winter wear and have not made anything more difficult than vegetable bags before. Having made patterns from a donor t-shirt and cut my pieces, I am just abotu to start the sewing. Could you please give your thoughts on whether one of the other stitches on your machine would have been suitable on the stretch fabric you were testing on or, if not, why not? If you pause at 9:45 when you are highlighting the S1 Yellow Stretch stitch, I am looking at the S1 Yellow stitch one wheel position to the left - the one that looks like a ladder with staggered rungs. What is the function of that stitch compared to the Stretch Stitch please?

[@teresaroberts7376]

Brilliant information, as always, Abi. And beautiful fancy fancy nails! 💜

[@AbisDen]

I was a victim of my daughters new nail art kit! 🙈✨thank you

[@MercyKanyurira]

Thank you so much this is really helpful. I was looking for this advice because l sew my stretch dress but it was popping out at the ham

[@AbisDen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lampshade4424]

Thank you so much i learned a lot ! I was sewing a pair of pants and the whole bum seam ripped open and i didn't know why but now i know its because i just used a zigzag stitch so now ill try the one you suggested so hopefully it works great

[@AbisDen]

Amazing - good luck x

[@Sheri...]

Very useful information! I so appreciate this video. Thank you!

[@AbisDen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@contessaguapatini]

Thats amazing Thank you soooo much sweetheart so useful xxx

[@Canny-Octopus]

Thanks this is so helpful!

[@richyjames1378]

Love it abi x

[@AbisDen]

Thank you Richy !

[@gits2807]

Excellent video explaining jersey fabric stitching. Have been struggling to figure out on my Brother sewing machine. Will give it a try. Do you recommend using a ballpoint needle or regular seeing needle works well too?

[@AbisDen]

Glad it was helpful! Ballpoint needles with jersey and stretch needles for fabric with very stretch tendencies like Lycra (spandex) or scuba

[@honeybee1888]

Very helpful.

[@matrixmom3300]

I noticed Abi, that you can't back stitch on overlock-like stitches on a regular machine. How do you secure the stitch? I know the zig zag and triple stitch do, but not the overlock stitch that mimics the serger type stitch.

[@zacr4664]

This was beyond useful!!! Thank you so much. I am so happy I watched this before trying to make my first shirt. Would the double overlock give stretch as well?

[@AbisDen]

Yes it will. Have fun and good luck

[@chanazify]

Wow fantastic

[@AbisDen]

Thank you so much

[@Beckycooks9264]

Thanks for the tutorial. I don't have this machine yet. But I hope to get one soon and practice with it. I currently worked on a stretch fabric using straight stitch machine and it was not nice at all.

[@AbisDen]

Oh no, it really won't be that great. Anything with a little zigzag will be a huge improvement :-) Good luck !

[@richyjames1378]

The thing is, you never see a zigzag stitch on ready to wear garments ... i hate the look of it .... and people with industrial machines like me ... don't have a zigzag ... so when i sew i stretch the fabric so that when its stretched again they don't pop .... or i use my industrial overlocker to sew stretch fabrics and for top stitching i would use my industrial coverstitch machine :) x

[@lorrainereeves4466]

I think it’s time the selvage should print which machine stitch is suitable for the fabric, plus the recommended thread.

[@AbisDen]

Haha. I completely agree

[@lorrainereeves4466]

@@AbisDen Well that’s cheered me up. Just started to revisit 1970’s home dress making with my mums Jones 105 manual and, hey presto, you have understood my point of view. Great. It’s not all rubbish after all.

[@alex_kreepypasta]

Thanks for the video! By the way... I have a problem with stich from 12:02 my sewing machine skips some of the stiches on the stretch fabric. What I mean is that there are normal stiches like: -v-v-v but sometimes is -v-v-----v. I don't really understand what is the problem. I will be glad to see advices!

[@Xalandra]

Very nice video, thanks!

[@AbisDen]

Thank you

[@richyjames1378]

I use my industrial machines on my stretch fabric ... but i just stretch while i sew x ... or i use my overlocker or coverstitch

[@SamCanada1]

7:38 I'm so dumb. I'm new with sewing and I thought that was some kind of sewing needle I'd have to get for that stitch. lol

[@AbisDen]

Aww I’m so sorry. Thank you Sam - it’s feedback like this that will help me make sure I explain properly 💕✨🪡🧵

[@alexandracorduneanu6911]

This is amazing! I'm so grateful to you!! My machine skips a few zig-zags on the strechy fabris, not on regular fabric though. Would you know what the issue is?

[@AbisDen]

Yes! You need Ball point (aka jersey) needles - not stretch needles They’re too pointy.

[@matrixmom3300]

Thanks for the info. I was always confused on the overlock stitch if the point of the stitch itself needs to stay on the fabric a few mm in, or directly almost hang off the edge of fabric?

[@AbisDen]

Ah, sew it on the fabric, then you can trim the fabric close to the stitch. That way you will be able to sew the stitch properly without it becoming too messy.

[@janisbrunst4226]

Abi, what do you think of the Gutermann Miraflex thread? Can it be used for stretch using just a regular stitch?

[@AbisDen]

Sorry Janis. I’ve got some on order (finally) but I’ve been told it’s overkill for most stretch. I’ll look into it and discuss it some more in a video x

[@maryann2692]

Maybe knoting the ends help not to brake

[@AbisDen]

When the fabric stretches, the thread can’t stretch with the fabric, so as the thread gets pulled, it snaps

[@robjaxxon123]

Big help ...Thank you

[@AbisDen]

You're welcome!

[@grahamjohn5522]

why don't you simply cut to the chase and shew what does work

[@AbisDen]

Oh!! Maybe you could skip ahead?

[@grahamjohn5522]

Thank you. I would if I could have but the video didn’t offer the option it didn’t show the red line normally shown on you tube videos. But no worries

[@AbisDen]

Sorry about that. if you tap on the right hand side, the video skips ahead, or you can tap the cogwheel and increase video speed x

[@rokstarskywalkergaming5204]

Me who just did a straight then watching this video... oh I see now

[@AbisDen]

💪🏽 yes!

[@KawaiiBlackPixie1]

Do you really need an overlocker or serger? My thoughts lately have been - NO. Commercial sewing uses it to save time and expertise. Home sewing is more specialized and pays more attention to detail.

[@AbisDen]

I have made some beautiful clothes with delicate fabrics loft many years before I discovered overlockers. Nope, not necessary. Just jam to your bread and butter

[@FurryFoxFren]

Was really clear! My sewing machine didn't have the first stitch you approved of, so I was a little worried, but I'm glad you showed some alternatives!

[@AbisDen]

Wonderful!