Knit Fabric. No Serger.

[@gettheetothestitchery]

🔎👒 Download June's Journey for free here: woo.ga/c0wv80io

[@CharredFibers]

If someone is looking at my inside hems, they better be buying me dinner and drinks

[@AngelCCD]

LOL I love it!

[@TheCalucita]

That is a MINIMUM if they want to criticize my inside hems they better be providing funds for learning and equipment >={ ;P

[@AmosSews]

Hi @CharredFibres….this made me smile and brought back a lot of memories. The only person who ever did this to me was my Mum, she was a needlework/dressmaking teacher. She always did this if I was wearing something new I’d made. She would always make comment about my making, for example, how I did a hem. My response would be …well if it’s good enough for M&S (Marks and Spencer) it’s good enough for me. Some times she would just look and make a disapproving hmmm!

[@lfuentes4098]

😂 When I was in high school I worked with a friend of mine in a fabric shop. When she came into the shop with the cutest dress I automatically reached for the hem. My friend slapped my hand away and said don’t look at my seams! 😂 It all makes sense now that I became a sewing teacher! 😅

[@emilyallen8436]

😂😂😂😂❤

[@brittanyjohnston8575]

Charlie: "I hate learning new things". all of the videos where she tries all the different types of fabric, thread, any new pattern, alllll the types of sewing feet

[@gettheetothestitchery]

Bhahahahahaha okay, in all fairness, I guess I only hate learning new technology.

[@melissel5648]

@@brittanyjohnston8575 I think she was pretty clear that she only hates new technology? But wants to learn all the crafts, and that totally makes sense to me 😂

[@millie-mayprice891]

there's learning new things and learning NEW things. A new type of embroidery when you already know how to embroider is not the same thing as being a seamstress and learning how to, I dunno, fix a car.

[@rebekahchalkley3252]

​@@gettheetothestitchery apparently there is a kind of serger that has an "air threader"? My friend was describing hers after I asked her if she could show me how to thread mine. She said she has no idea how to thread hers. The serger apparently uses air to suck up the threads into their correct locations and then it's threaded! Mind blown.

[@mirjanbouma]

​@@rebekahchalkley3252 Yes, I've seen those! They only do the easy part of threading (last time I checked), not the part that i actually have trouble with - the threading the needles of the ziggy zaggy parts.

[@karen2015]

YES DONATE SERGERS TO A LIBRARY! My library, specifically. :)

[@torigriggs1694]

I found out that the library system near me has specific maker labs at different locations. So one library has technology like laser cutters and 3D printers. I got SO LUCKY bc the one closest to me is the fiber arts maker lab. They have everything from a serger to an honest to goodness spinning wheel! I am so appreciative of the people who donated these things.

[@bobbie9066]

I love how you basically gentle parent any of us worrying about you not having/affording/etc a serger. That's so wonderful

[@campurriana]

All I heard is that Charlie thinks that I rock!

[@annamonson212]

18:37 another thing I thought of here is if you are starting out your sewing journey as a floor goblin, knits care a lot more if you are laying out on carpet than wovens do. If you can, find tile, or hardwood, or a larger table. Knits on even tight woven carpet is a lot harder

[@davarrashayde]

carpet = static ...this is especially true in regards to knit fabric from my experience, but it's also something that can be the case in regards to woven as well (especially in winter time where static is more common anyway).

[@pompeiiash]

If I had a table, I wouldn't be a floor goblin, would I?! 😂

[@allieg6401]

I taped a whole bunch of newspaper, magazines, printer paper and butchers paper together (whatever i could find)when I first tried knits cos I only had carpeted floors.... That worked pretty well - everything else frustrated me. 😂 I have since learned more about different sewing needles and the proper way to tension threads ect, and **TEST SWATCH !!**

[@annamonson212]

@pompeiiash toooooo true. The way I started coveting big tables at work and neighbors houses....still true tbh

[@isabellalucia7820]

Is this because most knits are synthetic? Is it still a problem for cotton knits? (I’m about to do my first knit sewing and only have carpet here, which hasn’t been a problem for my usual cotton and linen and even wool).

[@Dawnzerlylight]

I learned recently to baste the edges of any difficult fabric (stretch knits, loose weaves, basically anything that likes to pull out of shape) as soon as they're cut. It's the greatest trick for sewing long seams on stretch knits.

[@dawsie]

My Mom gave me a serger decades ago, I have I used it, ummmm sometimes but it’s a pain to pull out and setup. Only time I have used it is when the fabric frayed when you so much as looked at it let alone touching it. When Mom passed away i inherited 3 more of them because she use to teach dressmaking and as she bought 2 machines for her students to use. When she was asked to leave (polite way of your fired) she did NOT leave the 2 sergers behind. It was decided that they did not need two teachers(the other teacher thought that by pushing Mom out, she would get the machines, she was under the impression that the collage had paid for both machines) funny thing though when Mom told her students that this was her last semester teaching they were not happy at all. Some of them had been going to her classes for a few years as it gave them access to machines that they could not afford to buy. Mom knew this she had help a few of them out to finally get their first machine by making arrangements with a local shop to allow her students to buy a machine through interest free payment plans. That was back in the 80’s before it was even a thing as it is today. When it came for signing up for the next semester 80% of her class had taken Moms help in buying their own machines and had Mom on speed dial on their home phones(the mobile was not a common thing) We knew the other teacher was not happy as she never had as many students signing up for her classes. She only gained 3 students the following semester from Mom’s combined two classes. By the end of that semester the dressmaking classes were dropped at the end of the year as the numbers had fallen by the end of year. So she was right the classes were not as popular as they had once been once Mom left. Mom taught from home 3 evenings a week one on one for the few students who still needed help for another 5 years. Mom was a great teacher, she had the knack of finding the right approach for each of her students, I was her unpaid sidekick who was there to fix the machines when they played up so Mom could focus on the students and not worry about the machines. Sometimes the students would come over while I was fixing a machine just to learn how to fix it themselves just incase they had the same problems. I should pull them all out and decide which one I want to keep, I have already sold mine years ago when I inherited the other 3 sergers. I just don’t need that many machines but, it’s such a huge job to pull them out as well as her many sewing machines. To go through them, I’ve had 11 years to do this but each time it’s like getting a punch to the mid drift all over again at losing Mom.😢

[@flo-llama]

I feel you! I have the sewing machine my baby & childhood clothes were sewn on. It's all metal, only does straight stich & has plastic cams you have to insert for "fancy" stitches like zigzag. It's mounted in an obscenely heavy cabinet that unfolds out into a huge table. I curse every time I move, but cannot part with it. Momwas right - it's the best machine for basic sewing. No new & fancy electronic machine comes close. I am also the protector of her huge fabric stash. Footlockers full. Gorgeous stuff she bought in different countries. I can't bring myself to cut into any of it. Plus all her patterns..... When I miss her I go through the footlockers & pet the fabric. Ten years ago I also became the protector of my mother in law's fabric stash. Along with the several generations of embroidery, crochet, tatting & quilting. None of her 4 children even wanted them as a keepsake & she knew I'd keep them safe. "Women's work" has always meant more than the stitched objects - it's family history & cherished memories.

[@lifeofjoy9404]

Your mom sounds like she was an absolute gem! I'm sorry you're still hurting so much.❤

[@MissMeganBeckett]

My mom has her mom’s sewing machine that made all of her and her siblings clothes as a kid too, and I have a few of the area rugs she made from the strips of leftover fabric scraps and worn out clothing, they’re so thick and warm and fluffy and pretty. Older sewing machines that have been passed down are wonderful things to have.

[@remywertman1206]

Great video. About the fabric curling at the edges thing- this is called a single knit, as opposed to a double knit. To know if your fabric is a single or a double (there are way more types but generally speaking) look at it closely- if you see little v shapes going up the fabric on one side and little loops on the other side, or generally a difference between the two faces of the fabric, it’s most likely a single knit and would curl, as the loops have a bit less tension than the v’s. If your fabric has v’s on both sides it’s likely a double and would tend to be more stable and not curl. The reason rib knits don’t curl as much is they are kind of a double (knitted on two needle beds) but only a few needles knit on each bed at a time so you get a thinner and stretchier material. Thats honestly just the tip of the iceberg though, knits are amazing!

[@juanitaconover8836]

Hey, a side thank YOU; appreciate that!

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

THANK YOU!!

[@Deafkid97]

I always LOVE your captions as a deaf person you’re also hilarious

[@lucyj8204]

Same (auditory processing disorder) - love our Easter eggs!

[@mirjanbouma]

Same, as someone who isn't a native speaker and also has APD! Her captions are awesome.

[@Carolyn-qd8mj]

I love closed captioning just as an old person!

[@plumplumi]

Your reasoning about serger is on point. I kept thinking that you could only sew on knit fabric with one and you made me realize that was not true ! so thank you so much for that. And for this amazing and detailed video about this kind of fabric. I love wearing stretching fabric clothes but always feared to make my own. Thanks to all your explanations and details on how it actually works I'm feeling way more confident to try them now !

[@auntietara]

Pattern weights in my house are pretty, tumbled rocks that are about 1-1/2 to 2 inches. I keep them in a clear glass container, and when I’m not sewing, they sit on the book shelf in the living room. 🥰

[@itcouldbeanyone]

I have a couple of polished rocks my great grandfather collected for pattern weights 😊

[@haileybischoff5943]

That sounds so fun to use!

[@allieg6401]

Ha pretty. Pattern weights in my house = coffee cups that I can then keep my smaller notions that I will immediately need in - rotary cutter, thread snips, hem/seam guage, fabric markers, threads - you get the picture 😉

[@auntietara]

@@allieg6401omg, that’s brilliant! What a great tip!

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

​@allieg6401 Similar. I have pretty jelly jars I've either saved from canning or the Dalfour / Bonne Madam hard from the store. They're pretty, they hold lots of spare pins or pens or chalk, and they all fit nearly in a tray if I need to clean up.

[@corneleggberry4167]

I love glue stick. Normal paper glue stick for keeping seams together when sewing. This works great for thicker fabrics or very slippery stuff. Just glue them together then it will stay put when you sew it

[@helenobrien60]

Wait… what!? I have to try this!

[@skperreault2792]

may gunk up the needle, so use lightly

[@allieg6401]

Omg that's so cool! Will it leave Mars on shinier fabrics? And some hand sanitiser on a cotton pad or cotton will should help with gunked up needle.

[@IndigoSew]

Yep, glue stick for the win! I use it heaps. If concerned about the potential for gunking up the machine, leave it a couple of minutes to dry or dab with the iron (at the appropriate temperature for the fabric) to set. Glue stick is great for setting in zippers. 🏆

[@emilyarmstrong5184]

@@skperreault2792 Make sure the glue is dry before stitching.

[@hakelliese7933]

„Stretch“ needles are for woven fabrics that have a stretchy thread woven into them (like stretch denim) while ball point or jersey needles are for knit fabrics (jersey is what knit fabric is called in Germany, which is where the needles you held up came from)

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

Thank you! I figured the difference in jersey vs knit is the weight of the Garment. Lightweight, you want jersey. Heavier weight? Ball point or stretch.

[@purpleicicles]

To add to this excellent comment, I find that 'ballpoint' needles are fine for low-stretch fabrics (up to about 40% stretch); beyond that, 'stretch' needles are much more effective!

[@gavannapatterns353]

I actually do it all the opposite way! I'm a semi professional sewist, of course I have a serger😊 but I use it mainly to finish the edges of woven fabrics. Actually I prefer sewing knits on the ordinary machine, OR handsewing! I highly, highly recommend you try handsewing your next neckband! To some people's surprise most handmade seams are very stretchy and don't break easily!

[@JB-kg5gz]

I"ve been sewing for over fifty years. My machine, that I bought forty five years ago refurbished, goes forwards and backwards. I have to use an attachment to zig zag and just never do. I had a serger for a while. It was a gift, and came with lessons. I learned how to use it, made one project, and it was fine. And I went back to my straight stitch old machine. I gave the serger away to someone who wanted it. Sometimes, what works for you, works. It's okay to not have all the new stuff.

[@ewdrago]

With how much you mentioned gravity I was expecting you to you to bust out singing "defying gravity" just know that I was singing it in my head the whole time.

[@gettheetothestitchery]

Haha so was I!

[@whatnow8362]

Also, you can choose a 2 way stretch for longer dresses or heavier knits because there’s no stretch in the vertical so it won’t drag down.

[@teruldacz]

I have to say I love you for everything you do ❤. I started sewing August 23 on my super cheap machine.i learned on doing french seams on everything. Your split side skirt was what got me into sewing. It was my first ever project (yeah I'm kinda crazy cause I never started on rectangles like pillowcases etc 😂). Then I started sewing also knits (Patternscout Brigit tee - my love ❤ (I have 12 now 😂😂)) and my first knit I ever sewed was viscose jersey as again I'm crazy and no-one told me its notoriously hard to sew 😂😂. But I did it and was so proud of myself. For my one year anniversary I bought myself a better machine and got a serger for my birthday. What I want to say is that I actually use the serger more for finishing wovens than sewing knits. My advice to anyone would be: don't be scared of anything. If a pattern says it's for hard but you can read instructions, most often you can do it. And last: sewing something is always better than sewing nothing ❤

[@gettheetothestitchery]

I love all this advice!! And congrats on diving right in and getting it done - that's the way to start anything new, in my opinion!

[@whitneyyanagita3421]

I also use my serger more for finishing seams on garments. I have yet to sew a knit garment with just my Serger.

[@ShineLikeFireflies]

This has been so useful! Thank you for sharing all of this. An idea for a future video: I would love to see you make the same garment with the same measurements with different weights and stretch behaviors e.g. 2-way, 4-way, high stretch, low stretch, more stable, less stable, heavy, light, etc. That would be SO insightful. Thanks again for all of your content. I love your videos! ❤

[@gettheetothestitchery]

Oo that's a super fun idea! It's kind of what's happened naturally with my favorite dress pattern - I've made it out of so many drastically different knits over the last three years. But maybe I should pull out all the versions I have, see what types of fabric are missing, then fill in the gaps and do a review!

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

​@@gettheetothestitchery I also have a vote for find one of those lengths of pre-knit sweater material at Remainders, then make a duster or Cardigan out of it. I'm intimidated because I've heard you basically zigzag baste around where you're going to cut, so that it doesn't automatically disintegrate. 😅

[@akapril907]

When I was just starting to sew, I made a skirt out of knit, also not knowing to fear it for any reason. It was tricky at first, but I adjusted my tension and stitched more slowly. It was not perfect, but I loved it. 😊

[@alpayaltner7414]

Hello hello! Actually you have stretch Stitch setting. If you set your machine to s1 or s2 than chose the straight stitch setting voila you have stretch stitch setting. At least in my country it’s called stretch stitch. I always use this setting for my pyjamas, shorts, t-shirts and so on because only stretch fabrics are readily available for me and they are pretty darn cheap where I live. I love your content btw ❤ lots of love from the other side of the world

[@dogvetusa]

The stitches on that dial you have, some of the ones that looks a bit like lightning bolts are the stretch stitches.

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

All of the S1 and S2 stitches have at least some part of the stitch that goes backward and forward or side to side. That uses more thread for the same number of inches of a stitch line. That makes it stretchier. The lightning bolt is sometimes considered the stretch stitch. Also the what they call a triple stitch, which is the straight stitch under one of the stretch settings is actually stitching two forward and one back and then two forward and one back. It is a very slow stitch, but it’s more bold looking, which is kind of nice for topstitching sometimes. It’s supposed to be stretchy, but I don’t prefer that setting.

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

When I am hemming my knits, especially, I love to use the setting, which is the blue stitch two to the right of the button hole. it looks like two straight lines with some thing like a zigzag in the middle. It works really well and can keep the inside from rolling on the edge as much.

[@alpayaltner7414]

@@ColorJoyLynnH yeah it is much slower and use more thread but i like the way it looks and works for me. I dont know why but i dont like zigzag so i always use that setting. Thanks a lot for the infos that you have mentioned btw its cool to learn someting new. And I couldnt get the lightning bolt thing but it’s okay ❤

[@lyn4636]

I was looking at it too and was like... "Yeah you do have stretch settings!" 34:34

[@BumblingBee-xm4dy]

42:42 tip from my many sewing books: sandwich a piece of tissue paper between the fabric pieces. When you finish sewing it rips right out and any remaining tidbits wash right out lol

[@michelleLuna1209]

I haven't finished the video yet, but who else spoted the little 'hidden' sloth fact? Love it ❤

[@starcloudwings9908]

I think your videos rock! Not to discredit what you make, but to be perfectly honest, there’s so much knit in fabric stores, as well as finished garments. When one prefers traditional woven fabrics like cotton or wool, we have to go an extra length to find those. When those of us that sew history-bound garments, we literally have to go to a specialty store and pay a premium just because it’s simple woven fabrics! Kinda counterintuitive. Then when people ask if I’m hot in all the layers of my historical outfit, I tend to always explain that natural woven fabrics BREATHE.

[@jnl.]

my best advice for stretch fabric, or any annoying fabric, is to use tissue paper between the fabric and presser foot. it works even better than a walking foot. yeah its kind of annoying cutting long skinny strips of tissue paper. but it saves sooo much headache when working with fabrics that dont want to play nice. it makes even the worst knit sew like a stiff woven fabric. i will use it with a serger too if the fabric is being annoying.

[@Kehy_ThisNameWasAlreadyTaken]

If I'm actually sewing with my machine, I'll use a surging stitch- otherwise I just hand sew it. From my understanding all hand stitches are basically stretch stiches due to the difference in tension between machine and hand. If it's not playing nice even with that I get out my sheets of packing foam I've saved and pin it till it can't cause issues. All things are possible with application of enough force :D

[@SandraL489]

Re: fabrics with rolling up sides and ironing them down. I always put some spray starch on the rims to keep them from rolling up again. Re: needles. I learned way too late that needles will loose their sharpness over time, I heard you would switch to a fresh one after about 8 hours. Some professionals say they can actually heard the dull needle but I'm not that experienced. Instead I tacked a square of fabric onto a strip of paper. The paper lists type and size of needles vertically, the fabric has time of use horizontally. When I put down a used needle I stick it into the fabric bit according to type/size and estimated use. When I take a needle from this fabric thingy I mark its spot with a pin. When I return the needle I remove the pin and add estimated use before putting the needle back in. Simple but handy.

[@ArlenePMCM]

That long black formal dress at 12:27 is FABULOUS.

[@civilizeddiva]

I purchased my first sewing machine four days ago-no previous sewing or sewing machine experience. In one day, I learned to thread a bobbin and the top thread and have been practicing straight stitching (at the slowest speed) on a piece of fabric. I guess at this point I’m more of a stitcher than a sewist😂

[@MagdaRantanplan]

Thats how we all started, practicing straight stitching. You got this!

[@civilizeddiva]

@@MagdaRantanplan Your encouragement is perfectly timed! …as I sit here struggling to cut straight lines out of my fabric😅

[@petapendlebury9024]

Great tips! One extra one for keeping the 2 pieces of fabric together whilst sewing is use fine pins and use a lot of them perpendicular to the seam line. If you sew slowly you can sew over them but keep it really slow so you don't hit a pin hard - this can damage your machine as well as breaking a needle. If its still shifting then hand tack them together. Also be careful not to stretch with your hands when guiding the fabric under the presser foot. Lastly if you're the type of person who likes form fitting knits and irons their knit clothing (I know we're probably a smaller group! ) then grainliine does matter as the side and underarm seamlines will twist which is very frustrating during the ironing process!

[@katieperkins5382]

The idea that you don’t use a serger because new sewers may be influenced that they need one is such a kind and thoughtful gesture. As someone new to sewing I am constantly feeling like “can’t make that, I don’t have a serger” (or that I can but would need a complicated work around). Really appreciate the representation and keeping something accessible

[@kathleensanderson3082]

I like that you are hoping to encourage people to sew, even if they only have basic equipment. There's also the learning curve. I have a serger. I've had it for about eight years. I have never used it. I've been sewing since I was six, so over sixty years, and have had several sewing machines, including a couple of treadle machines (I first learned to sew on my great-grandmother's old treadle machine). I just haven't worked up the mental energy to sit down and figure out how to use that serger. (In my defense, we've gone through a major cross-country move to a house in serious need of work, and major health complications, over the last few years. But still....I'm finally getting an actual sewing area set up in this house, and plan to tackle that serger soon.)

[@Ella-iv1fk]

I didn't take my overlocker out of the box for 3 years after getting it because I didn't have the mental capacity to work out how to use it, finally got it going when sewing became my lockdown activity of choice and found a really great set of tutorials about setting it up and doing different types of stitches with it on youtube. I hope you have fun learning new things in your new space

[@moniquegroom2353]

EXCELLENT vlog!!! Lots of good information for all ranges of skill levels. FYI I've been sewing for 55 years and have NEVER felt the need for a serger. One reason is that you don't have the ability to open the seams and let something out when you gain weight or vice versa.

[@whatnow8362]

It took me 16 years before I bought a serger and I love it so much I’m going to get a cover stitch too. Neither are necessary but certainly make things easier.

[@daxxydog5777]

I regret buying the cover stitch, honestly. I've had a serger for 25 years. It's necessary for me.

[@pmclaughlin4111]

I've had a serger for 20ish years. I used it a lot. When I moved sewing rooms, it got stored. One day, 7-8 years gone by, I was getting frustrated with a shreddy material and remembered, oh yeah serger. Its out now and I use it occasionally but I generally sew knits on my standard machine.

[@raraavis7782]

There's a really clever way to make professional looking hems on a serger. Let me link a tutorial, in case you've never seen it. It kinda eliminates the need for a coverstitch, imo.

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

The only thing I would add is spandex. When you are setting up your tension sew a test and stretch it. If the stitches pop lower your tension. This is really important because leggings and bathing suits take a lot of stress and stretch! Also use a zigzag for these

[@tinaellison3521]

I love your fearless approach to sewing! Here's a trick: try using a small piece of scotch tape to cover the front edge of the throat plate so that not as much of the feed dogs are engaged. This does a nifty job of preventing stretching out of hems and other seams sewn in the same direction as the fabric stretch.

[@allieg6401]

THAT is a brilliant tip. Thank you 🙏

[@rondawiebe1505]

There is another foot you could use on knits called a "teflon foot". Its slippery so that the fabric doesn't stick and pull. Really good on things like plastic tablecloths or fake leather. You've learned a lot. Thx for the fun shares.

[@faithwerksdesigns6197]

I need this video a few days ago lol I sewed a medieval inspired dress (I patterned myself) and I used this heavy knit cause you know that's not going to have consequences lol It's really heavy but I love it and got a ton of complements on it this morning so lol

[@dragonmakr2159]

I’m a life-long sewist, and while I use a lot of knits for my Dragons, it’s either barely stretchy suede cloth or reasonably stretchy (two way for industry terminology or one way, in Charlie parlance) fleece fabric. For garment sewing, I’ve always stuck to wovens, be they cotton or linen. Charlie, you’ve inspired me to investigate kints for myself! I just need to find better stuff than my local JoAnn’s stocks.

[@dragonmakr2159]

Oh yes- while I do have a serger (two, in fact!), I mostly use it to “finish” cut edges before I wash fabric (saves me inches being cut off due to fraying AND a mess in the washing machine) or finishing seams on woven projects

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

I've had lots of good luck at Mood. There are very few knits that I've purchased and then sighed or kicked myself because I should have known better. 😂

[@melissel5648]

Just clicking on it, I already know I will find this video the most useful I've seen in a while ! I always love your explainations and find them super clear and helpful because they include how you found out, why it works the way it works and the entire thought process, which is very relatable. So thank you for responding to our collective request 😅😊 Edit: I was true, since most of my sewing knowlege comes from The Closet Historian, I do have a gap when it comes to knits, and this is the best to close that gap

[@haileybischoff5943]

I love The Closet Historian.

[@thebookwyrmslair6757]

Bianca is amazing! I'm just on version 8 of my bodice block, so I come over to Charlie for refuge. 😂

[@dottiewi661]

Here I am, watching your video, sewing a viscose knit breastfeeding top, from a pattern that I adapted for the purpose myself… wish me luck, that it works out 😂

[@cantaloupia-1050]

I just made my first split side skirt with a stretchier fabric and I spent a lot of time staring at the fabric and the machine and all the issues with stitches and the hem and just... i can't explain how my brain waves were just a big ass ?????? So this is super helpful to fix the hemming before I finish it and move onto the next thing

[@miagood1936]

For cutting out knit fabrics, I think using a rotary cutter is a must. When I used scissors previously I always had choppy edges. This became annoying when I needed to line edges up, but to be honest, this is more of an aesthetic frustration than actual problem because knits allow so much room for error. Still, if you have the budget (and desire) for it, get a rotary cutter.

[@blaireshoe8738]

I could listen to you for hours. I HAVE listened to you for hours. I didn't realize this video was nearly 48 minutes long, time flies. Personally I know that a serger is a machine that exists but I have no idea what it does (other than, apparently, make knits easier to work with somehow!) hahaha

[@juanitaconover8836]

I just love your endearing, geeky way of looking at the world! Your deep dives and analysis videos (I.e. presser feet, total yardage of sheets, this video, et al) are exactly the things I have always wanted to know; thank you, so very much!

[@TheMagnoliaWitch]

My sewing machine is still in a box because I rearranged my sewing space and then just kept handsewing everything, from wovens to knits, instead of actually clearing off the new sewing machine table and setting it up to use for its intended purpose instead of a catch-all for tea mugs and my ring light phone stand. 😂😂😂 Fun note, handsewing knits is only "harder" than wovens because you can't use a running stitch unless it's a gathering thread, because the stretch needs some type of backstitch. ❤

[@jenavasexton1645]

I sewed a swimsuit for my daughter. It wasn't perfect but it was fine and she loved it. And she's worn it to death, We've washed it many times, and only a COUPLE lines of stitching have had to be repaired. 😂

[@gettheetothestitchery]

Way to go!!

[@deb.m.7458]

You did really well here, re: all about knits! The best tech talk on sewing with knit fabric. Usually it’s about what they made and how to make it. Thank you x 100❤ Don’t have a serger and would love it if someone would give me one or find a free one. Other than that, not really needed. A regular sewing machine can do the job, with some technique adjustments. I went crazy buying stuff thinking that I needed them. Just the basic tools to start (seam ripper, scissors, pins, marking tool) and your love of sewing is enough.

[@wangofree]

I do have a serger, a Babylock Imagine, and I use it all the time on both knits and wovens. It makes the world's most beautiful rolled hems. For me it's almost a necessity because I sew a lot for other people. But to each his own. Really enjoy your content Charlie!

[@allie9855]

This is such a helpful video! Knits are so varied that it can be overwhelming. I need to remember to just try and experiment

[@RoseGold...]

I started out sewing my organic cotton rib knit fabric with a zig zag stitch on my Singer 3342. That was okay but I use cotton thread and I just didn't feel like the stitches were strong enough. I finally purchased a serger and I love how sturdy the stitches are now. The other day I finished up a pair of waffle knit lounge pants and I used French Seams since they were wide and flowy. So yeah, you have a lot of options when sewing with knits and I love it!

[@ShakespeareDoomsday]

I bet the Eloflex thread would be ideal for tight-fitting activewear with a decent spandex content, especially something like a sports bra that needs to be able to stretch a lot to get on and off (or at least it would have to on my body to give me any support whatsoever).

[@kitterzy]

That’s its primary use. I’ve seen it used mostly for activewear like spandex for swimwear, gymnastics, etc.

[@bigpanda1228]

My most common use for double needles is hems - many commercial garments are done this way if the sleeves & hem are folded. It looks terrific, has some give, and holds the raw folded edge nicely. I only do a single fold in most cases, but you could use a double needed with a double fold as well. Your point about gravity is so critical, and your specific tips (not finishing raw edges, using straight stitch most of the time, etc) are excellent. You might want to do a future video on sewing with fleece - it is about the easiest fabric on the planet to work with and usually falls into the broad “knit” category. It is also widely available. One final tip - for seams you don’t want to stretch (like the shoulder seams of a t-shirt), there is stabilization tape you can sew into the seam, between the layers of fabric. It is sometimes called “stay tape” and it comes in fusible or non-fusible forms. I prefer the latter. As for needle sharpness, it really matters, so years ago I simply decided I was willing to replace my needles every 3 garments for my sewing machine and every 10 garments for my serger. I undoubtedly have ended up not pushing every needle to the end of its life, but I’ve avoided the holes you end up with in knits if you don’t change them soon enough. That is a trade off I’m willing to live with.

[@carolreid9755]

Thank you Charlie for your video in the myth busting genre you do so well. I love it. The books say you don't you must, you cant. Charlie says, I can, I will and I do. I just want to sew for me. It's the books that say you need loads of extra equipment. I have an old sewing machine who would not know a stretch stitch if it came up and bit it😂 All my dance clothes had stretch and made in the 60's , by ladies in the dance school. No overlockers or computers in sight. I just tell myself I can. All the extras may make it easier but it is doable.

[@marinaurazova4031]

I started sewing on my grandmother's old hand-crank machine, did fine, tho it required some ingenuity to get things done))

[@CarJul666]

Thanks for making this video. Knitted fabric is my nemesis. Voile is easy in comparison. I really needed your knowledge about knitted fabrics.

[@HelenMarie-986]

Watching your videos encouraged me to sew again, and with knit. I have just finished 3 knit tops (similar to your favourite dress pattern) and am planning to make more. No serger, used straight stitch and zig-zag to finish the edges. For my hems, I just turned up once and top stitched.

[@hollythornton3613]

Thank you! This is the kind of straight forward, down to earth explanation of knits I've been needing! I've been sooooo intimidated by them and now...let's give it a try 😅

[@MiffoKarin]

When you posted this I was busy chaos sewing a knit dress for once (by just pinning an old knit dress to the fabric and cutting around it), time to hear the advice I probably could have used before sewing it. 😅

[@Kakkydidit]

I watch your videos of knit sewing because I have no confidence in my ability to sew with them. Decades ago when I was young, I made a couple of tops and dresses that were just fine, but I remember something about adjusting my presser foot PRESSURE that made a difference. Having a walking foot for my machine (vintage) could also help. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and about your experiences.

[@DFarbklecks]

I have been setting myself a yearly sewing fear to conquer. This year's was pants. I was really intimidated by pants. I've sewn four now. Next years challenge is knit fabric, so I really appreciate the advice!

[@KSMP]

A major lightbulb just went on for me when you mentioned the tension being zero for basting! Thanks for that.

[@elizabethlensky6616]

Thank you for this video and the links! I have been scared to try knit even though my favorite ready to wear pieces are knits. I just need to go for it!

[@gettheetothestitchery]

You can do it!!

[@CarolynnScoffield]

I began successfully sewing knits BEFORE sergers were available to home sewers! I started when I about 20 years old and I’m now 65 years old. A day or two ago 😂! I took a sewing course called “Stretch & Sew” which is by the same founder and author of KWIK SEW PATTERNS!

[@SharmClucas]

Happy Birthday!

[@pmclaughlin4111]

Ann Person, I would love to get a hold of her books with master patterns. Best swimsuit I ever had, I made with her pattern

[@kitterzy]

Also the pressure setting downward of your presser foot can be changed depending on the weight of the fabric. When I work with very light fabric, I loosen the presser foot pressure so my feed dogs don’t rip the crap out of my fabric. If I’m working with something that is on the bulkier side I increase the pressure so that the top layer will follow the bottom layer. (Unless it’s something that requires a walking foot, like quilting).

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

In my sewing groups on Facebook, I have discovered two suppliers that have a lot of these things without going to Amazon. Both are not chains or corporations. Sewing parts online is a woman owned business with all sorts of more technical things than you’d expect. If something falls off your machine, they’re likely to have it. WAWAK has feet for your machine, but also other supplies such as thread, zippers, and other notions.

[@juadonna]

I Think you might mean: WAWAK

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

@@juadonna yes. I just corrected it. Thank you.

[@VintageVermilion]

I’ve been sewing knits on my sewing machine for years, just adjust the stitches, tension and maybe use a specialty foot like a Teflon or walking. That being said, I absolutely love the serger I bought last year and happily forked over the cash I had been saving up plus buying during a promotion. It was a floor model that had only been used a few times as a demo unit. It has air feed threading for the loopers (important for tired old eyes and frayed patience 😅). It does both overlocking and cover stitching. Use it on both woven and knits. Have done garments, home dec, bags even quilts with simple straight lines.

[@Kelsey-rb6yi]

Your video has arrived at the perfect time! I’ve been watching you for a while now and have been piecing quilt tops for about 2 years but I’ve been wanting to get back into sewing clothes which I did in 4-H as a kid. I just bought several knits to start by exploring dolman tops like you did and mentioned to the lady at the cutting table that I was starting to get back into sewing clothes and she said “So you decided to pick the hardest material to begin with?” It’s been a while, but your videos are giving me the confidence to be more comfortable with mistakes and just give it a try rather than sit on the fabric!

[@ИринаМ-ю1е]

Thank you for helping myself and many people like me to not be intimidated by knit fabric) I'd like to add that, dealing with non-plush velvet knit it's quite important which way the, so to say, "knit pattern" goes. It can both do wonders to the sulhouette of the garment or ruin it, especially if the cut out pieces don't match.

[@SammiJarrad]

Perfect timing!! I finally got brave enough and bought a bunch of cute knit fabric yesterday!! Thanks! 💜💜

[@anxiety4daysmusingmedic891]

I made a skirt during the summer. I chose to not fully finish my seams, and im so happy about that! I ripped out the hem and waistband last night so i could improve the skirt. When a garment is wearable, i wear it. After wearing it, i might decide its perfect as is, needs minor edits, or it needs a major re-work. Its my favorite skirt, but it was a. It too long, im not happy with the closure method i used, and its missing a wow factor. I cant wait to get to it today

[@gettheetothestitchery]

Another bonus on unfinished seams for sure! Anytime I french seam a garment and then realize it needs some adjustment, I'm like...... meh. No thanks. XD

[@jnl.]

ever since i stopped using all fabric softeners and dryer sheets like 20 years ago, ive never had a problem with static since. maybe once every couple years i will get something that is a bit staticy when it comes out of the dryer (usually a really cheap tablecloth), but even then after i shake it out its not staticy anymore. i swear fabric softeners are purposefully made to create static so they can also "fix" the problem they made. just like how some kleenex brands will release a cloud of fibers which will cause you to sneeze making you need another kleenex (the worst ive found is the actual brand "kleenex"...i find the bigger the brand name the more likely they are to purposefully create problems to force you to use more of their product). i do use a lot of synthetic fibers, almost all my clothes are stretch. ive heard you can use a wadded up ball of tin foil in the dryer to get rid of static. i havent needed to try that. if you do try to go without fabric softener, it will take many washes before the residue is out of your fabric and you can get a real tests on how it affects static. like even up to 10 washes for some. that poison is made to coat and stick around. ugh!!

[@nicola.p]

I have a stretch stitch on my machine and I used it before I got my overlocker. It is fab if you have it. It pretty much sews a straight stitch, but instead of the stitches being one directly behind the other, it does another one directly next to it between two stitches (think like 2 rows of bricks in a wall, the top rows covers half of two bricks of the row below) so that extra stitch it gives you that extra room for it to stretch out with the fabric.

[@purplehound2420]

I've been sewing knits with a standard machine for 35 years now. Agree with everything. Other tips: Stabilizing with a wash away interfacing can sometimes help for tricky knits. Cutting with a self healing mat and a rotary cutter can help with cutting issues. I've even cut on a cardboard box instead (don't press hard) in a pinch with a $tree cutter. There is a straight stretch stitch on some machines that I like for side seams. Make test stitches on a scrap piece of fabric and think about their use points.

[@SuzyG_lovezdogs]

I live in central Alberta, Canada. It always dry here. There are very few rainy days that the humidity rises for a few days. Once winter roles around and believe me that very early her. In fact where some people are just talking about cooler weather still coming with fall , in less than a couple of weeks, late October or early November. We start thinking it’s winter. Usually there’s snow but it below 0 weather. That’s C, in the US, that means 32F or below freezing. In the deap of winter we have 0% humidity and that’s even with a humidifier attached to the furnace. If you walk across a rug then grabs door handle, be prepared for a static shock. Sure most people set up a portable humidifier where they are bothered the most and slather on moisture lotion but we quickly get used to it, but it can cause problems.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

I also started sewing knits without knowing the stereotypes, I just did it and it worked. I'm wearing right now the first stretch garment I sewed after I knew better and I kind of regret using the stretch stitch cause it made things weird. The main reason I haven't done it lately is because I can't find knits with known fibre content that aren't mostly polyester. Though I didn't have much trouble with the swimsuits I made this summer once I got one of my herd of sewing machines to actually do a zigzag stitch reliably, but I did use stretch thread too. All my machines do weird tension things sometimes, so I pretty much always do a test with every fabric and thread combination. The knit top I make most (that I'm wearing now) was approachable for me to copy from a bought garment specifically because it had no cuff or neck bindings like one finds on some sweatshirts, instead it's got a 1" facing around a V neck and just a single fold hem on the cuffs and waist (it's polar fleece, it's not going to shred, and turning it under again would make too much bulk, the original was done with whatever that stitch is that's not on regular single-thread machines (cover stitch maybe?), though I now own a machine that can handle two needles so I might try that next time. And for the first three of these I made, I didn't even use the zigzag, and still haven't popped a seam. Though there is a hole in the sleeve of one where the sleeves are each two pieces due to using remnants and having to get a little creative. Kinda suprised I haven't on the thickest one cause I experimented a bit with the neck hole and it's a bit tight to get on if I'm wearing eyeglasses. "I wanna learn new things and be bad at them" OMG how did you get in my brain :)

[@madebymaryssa]

I learned to use a serger at an old job and it was convenient, except when time came to change the thread. Somehow, every time a spool ran low and a new thread had to be put through, the tension got messed up and it had to be readjusted, even if it was supposedly identical thread. Possibly it was very sensitive to the 'pulling through' of the new thread and we should've just learned to rethread it without the old thread as a guide ... but that's hard! My first sewing project was on a thick two-way stretchy polyester, kind of sweatshirt-level thickness but not the same texture, very smooth on both sides. I didn't have a sewing machine at all back then, and the only stitch I knew was a running stitch, so I improvised a stitch that in retrospect kind of worked like a zigzag stitch. I'd do a single running stitch, then move my needle to the side and do another single running stitch, then go back to the first line of stitching and repeat. So I had two lines of stitches beside each other on one side of the seam allowance, and bars perpendicular to the seam allowance on the other side. A great thing about that fabric was that it didn't fray, so I didn't bother with hemming the skirt or the sleeves, just finishing the collar. Nomination for a future theme song tidbit: kangaroos cannot step with one hind leg independent of the other, meaning they cannot walk, only hop - but they *can* move their hind legs independently while swimming.

[@tagladyify]

I don’t shop on Amazon either, but it is great for looking up and comparing options and to see what’s out there and what people are saying about it. If I find a product I like I look for that company’s own webpage or see if I can find the product on another venue.

[@nancynewman6592]

IF! you want a serger, not only is it nice for seam finishing, it is so quick to sew and finish a seam all in one go, with better stretch, and therefore I love it for lazy sewing :) But it took me 5 years before I was interested. Now I love it. I bought the self threading machine from Costco (Canada). A Brother 1800 which basically matches the Brother 3000. online instructions. I did commit some time to learning how it works though

[@carolines2088]

I dont have a serger either and i love the fact that you dont have one. Zigziag stitch is a lightning stitch and yes it does have a bit of stretch but its a pain to unpick and i find it sometimes crumples the seam so i always use a narrow zigzag. Love your videos!

[@dottiewi661]

Thanks for your tips! I am not a very neat sewist, but I never was „afraid“ of knit, because very soon after I started sewing on my own (apart from the teenage sewing courses) I was sewing both woven and knit projects (with the help of an independent pattern creator, that also does KZbin tutorials for her patterns, pattydoo) So, if you are scared, look for tutorials!

[@csifan52]

Your attitude of try it! It will be fine makes my anxious heart happy 🙂 sometimes ya just gotta try stuff!

[@abigailashton7192]

Thank you so much for this video!! I've been procrastinating about sewing knit / jersey fabric although that's all I ever wear! I'm now just going to drive straight in and see how it goes! Thank you 🥰

[@brendaokuda2158]

I bought a pretty expensive serger about 6 yrs ago because I always wanted one.......I've never even opened the box. It's sitting on a shelf in my sewing room still fresh from the factory. I've decided to just make it part of my heritage & pass it down to the next generation & so on. Personally, I'd rather get my great-grandmother's foot pedal Singer from 1897 fixed. I think I'd actually use it.

[@tizzles12]

YES! I love stretch material because it usually means I'm not going to make something too small! I tend to use a lot of lycra/spandex material as I make a lot of workout clothing for myself!

[@clarita294]

Thank you!! My mother owns a serger (2, actually) and I do use them both for my woven and knit projects, but I also do work in a fabric store and talk to many many many people who are just so scared of knit! I actually prefer woven fabric too because I simply prefer the prints they come in, but I will now refer to you when I give people advices to sew with knit fabric! I also have fights with the one serger regularly, thankfully not the one specifically for woven fabric lol. My parents’ fabric store also does sell the Mettler Seraflex thread though, it doesn’t come in as many colours as the usual all purpose thread, but it’s still about 50 colours which is enough if you’re not picky (the exact shade of forest green you need for one fabric might be too blue or warm or whatever for your next project anyway) (most old ladies still buy it) (the store is in Germany, sorry, maybe the thread is available in the online store) Anyway, the actual tailor who does classes at the store is still torn about knit fabric but bought a serger when he really needed one and realized how a zig zag stitch just doesnt look professional enough on the seams - which is absolutely okay and logical as a professional tailor with actual clients. In general I just think that even if there are correct techniques, we should just do what works for us. I've honestly been wondering how exactly you work on your knits for ages (3 weeks since i discovered your channel and binged all your videos, to be exact) Thank you for the videos, love them very much!

[@maxinebracey9176]

The first knit item I made was a swimming costume as a child. I loved the fabric so just went ahead. It turned out to be be a 4way very stretchy fabric and the first time I went into the pool it ballooned out and was really funny! I loved it so much though, I just made a tie belt and wore it until I had grown out of it.

[@marymugge1523]

I have a serger that I use all the time, mostly because I hate finishing my interior edges and tend to work with stuff that frays badly. Honestly I have only one setting I use on it and don't really want to change anything because I don't want to jinx the good results I am getting. I love using it but I was sewing long before I had a serger and those projects turned out just as well. Keep up the good videos in your lovely serger-less style, they come out beautifully. Also yes, please hide an elephant in the rooms. We can play spot the elephant in your vidoes!

[@ltellis63]

Thank you for this video. So many helpful and practical tips. Most importantly, is viewing knit fabrics through the gravity lens.

[@kanjifaith6619]

This was super helpful! I've been thinking a lot about your knit material experiment video recently

[@angelagoodyear8099]

the twin needle is used primarily for hemming. this needs to be done from the outside of the garment. they come in various widths of the needles. there are also tripple neddles for decorating. explore the needles and have fun.

[@carolinereynolds2032]

There was a company called Knitwits (might not be correct spelling) at least 40 years ago. They did courses and sold patterns. They said to stretch as you sew. Maybe home overlocker machines (sergers) probably were not even a thing back then. And if you are not using a knitted fabric there are other ways to finish your seams and will also make you garments look high end.

[@lynnettevelez676]

To me and the way i sew, sergers are for finishing woven fabrics, and neat rolled hems. Knits don't fray, and i personally don't like serged seams on knits (they don't seem as strong). My best advice it to just try sewing scraps of the fabric in question first. You can work out any issues that come up before you sew on the real project.

[@jnl.]

you should do a video where you try out all the different stitch types on your machines. some of them are good. i always use the triple stretch stitch rather than the zig zag for something that needs to stretch because the zig zag makes the seam look weird when opened. the triple stitch looks like a normal stitch but it stretches even more than the zig zag. it is slower tho, but its worth it.

[@Cambrilsbirds]

Oh my goodness I needed this to get over the fear !!!

[@prophetessoftroy]

Suddenly a wild Mat appears! (Always enjoy his cameos)

[@GoingGreenMom]

Lol, the stretch thread discuss recently was mind blowing for me. I am hand sewing only, so had pretty much ruled out knits completely, but since knit 100% cotton is definitely a thing and can be comfier, so Im thinking, stretch thread could definitely make that more doable.

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

I find that when I use knits, I have to test my varius possible needles. Ballpoint came out when most knits were stable, and not as fine as some thread as they are made with now. Then Jersey Needles came out and it seems to me when I used. It was for swimsuit fabric. I can’t remember for sure. But it came later than ballpoint. When I am using fabrics that are whisper thin, whether they are knits or silky fabrics, I often end up with a microtex needle. They have a super fine point that won’t break the threads when piercing the material. in fact, microtech works on almost every fabric so I start with that and I only switch to something else when I’m having trouble. I’m not the only person who does this.

[@IlorinWaern]

This is the video I needed, I am about to start conquering knits.

[@IlorinWaern]

update, have worked on conquering knits. was a lot less intimidating than expected though i had trouble adding a sleeve but then I realized i'd never put sleeves on anything before at all so I just started in hard mode. As I am wont to do.

[@reneechristensenpillow8373]

I do love those overalls.... watched that video... so fun

[@SamIAm38386]

I once had a terrible time sewing a stretch knit on my sewing machine. Fixed it by putting tissue paper between the fabric and the feed dogs and tearing it off afterwards. The paper prevented the feed dogs from stretching the fabric as it was pulled under the presser foot.