Twin-Needle Success! Master Hemming Knits On A Sewing Machine

[@Thelaststitch]

📄 Get your Free Knit Stitch Guide www.thelaststitch.com/guide-knit-stitches

[@PibbleMom297]

It's refreshing to find someone who is a proponent of using twin-needles. I've used them for years to hem knits and even sew stretchy seams with a narrow set. It works beautifully and for me, negates the need for a cover stitch machine - they're way too expensive, take up more room and I simply don't need one.

[@patriciasmith7604]

thanks for this tutorial which is so informative. I also want to comment on your personality which is sweet and light and joyful. The world needs more people who can smile and be happy.

[@carmenvada]

Hi! I'd like to share this tip: in my sewing there wasn't a zigzag at the back, while many videos clearly had it. Instead, the bottom thread followed an almost straight line. After quite a while I finally learned that you can also change the tension of the bottom thread by loosening a bit the little screw in the metal bobbin case. It worked like a charm. Thank you for your thorough tutorial, it really helped me!

[@yokekooyster]

Hands down, the clearest and most helpful video I’ve seen covering twin needle use with knits!

[@jgsawka]

I've used twin needles with really good success in the past but once I got my little Juki coverstitch I never looked back! I have purchased your coverstitch book some time ago. It's great! ❤

[@christymoore309]

I watched this video three times before I hemmed my favorite pair of comfy knit pants. Thank you!! Also I found your sense of humor really charming and it helped me relax and have fun. Now my pants won't drag on the ground AND I have found a go-to resource as I take on more complex sewing projects!

[@patsystein3276]

Lots of information! So much to learn. I hope I can do it.

[@staceyl618]

This is the absolute best, clearest, and simplest description of using a twin needle for knits that I have found on KZbin! Thank you Johanna. You are so personable and I really like your style of educating people!

[@lolayoder7121]

THANK YOU so very much! I just shortened a hem on stretch fabric using your tips & techniques and must say it’s the nicest, near factory hem I’ve ever done on my straight-stitch domestic machine. The wash away wonder tape is FANTASTIC!!! Very clear & thorough instructions.

[@Thelaststitch]

Yay, thank you! That makes me so happy to hear, I live for getting comments like this, so nice to hear I've been helpful

[@TheTreegodfather]

A good trick for running two bobbins on the same pin is to set them up to turn in opposite directions.

[@chayawitkin6374]

Maybe put a felt circle between the bobbins would help?

[@Cristaynful]

Wow. This lady's videos are full of USEFUL information. Thank u so much. I'm sewing for about 5 yrs now and it's only today I learned that putting up the sewing foot while threading the needle makes it easier to thread. 🎉

[@janeahrens572]

Brilliant! Especially the use of fusible knit interfacing

[@joyceabbott4584]

Thank you so much for this fantastic video. It is the best I've seen and I've watched quite a few. Now I am off to hem some sweatpants.

[@bhuffma01]

This is the best video I’ve watched in a while. Thanks for being so thorough and informing!!

[@lucilledaub5991]

I love my double needle. And I love your learning tips

[@AshleyMaklin]

This is the first time I've come across your channel and I instantly subscribed! You're very informative and personable. Like a really good friend who is also an expert in sewing! Thank you for your hard work! 💖

[@do314]

You are just the BEST! You've got me sewing again after giving up for (6 years!) on ever being able to sew knits after I'd purchased a VERY expensive new sewing machine. I just can't thank you enough for all your excellent videos and books!

[@UniversalEngineer]

Wow! So thorough and clear. Superb!!! 👏👏👏

[@florencemcfadden648]

Oh thank you. I have wanted to shorten my tops for years. Now after your very clear instructions I am going to get started. I am making trouble locating the description box for ordering the products you suggested.

[@37homewardbound44]

I just got a sewing machine. Thank you for teaching us. 👍💖👏

[@EuphemiaGrubb]

Good luck with your new sewing machine. You're in for a great journey!

[@lorrainesilva1870]

Very informative and easy to follow. Thank you so much.

[@hovawart16]

Thank you! Nicely explained for people like me who really need to understand.

[@margaretcameron3949]

Thank you SO much! A really helpful and well explained video. I’ve been home sewing for almost 60 years and have always avoided jersey/knit/stretch fabrics because I could never get a ‘good’ stitch. The advent of the internet and KZbin etc has been a life changing experience. I’ve now mastered the stretch stitch using the zigzag stitch on my Janome Memory Craft 4800, but am now about to have a go with a stretch twin needle. Wish me luck! 👍

[@rbrown6476]

Same here! KZbin is great for home learning, and for improving 😊

[@emilychadwick3857]

After watching you use the double needle on stretch fabric, I had the confidence to hem a pair of yoga pants using the double stretchy double needle, came out perfect. Thank you for teaching me . 🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@SherylHolmes-h7m]

Thank you for yet another wonderful resource for sewing with knits!

[@kayspeak2227]

How truly delightful your are Johanna. Thank you so much for this really helpful, so clear and informative video. Yours in great appreciation.

[@sophiemurray6215]

I had to smile when you discussed stitches on the reverse side of your material, and not to get too hung up on it, as it’s really about the front and how good a job it’s doing…. I was given the job of teaching 7/8 year olds embroidery at school. They were so in fear of the work on the back, they literally were making zero progress. I,said ‘ if you see a beautiful lady in a ball gown, would you ask to,see her knickers?’. You get my point. They relaxed and the class became much more enjoyable. Actually I quite like a neat finish, but it’s as you say, not worth getting too hung up,about, plus with experience, that finish does become much better. You always teach so well, Thank you. I thought you would be talking about how to do tin needles for jeans top stitching, but I think there’s another video,for this.

[@markterrill1675]

Success! I followed your instruction for hemming knit fabric with the twin needle and I must say for a first time ever sewing on knit fabric, it turned out pretty nice. Mine did not have as much stretch as your example did after hemming; but it does stretch. Thanks for the good instructions!

[@sallysmith6543]

Great to see you use a Bernina 1230, I love mine and have had it for many, many years! Going to try this technique again using the walking foot.

[@gokugopala1984]

best video tutorial on all aspects of the basics!

[@fortierdawn]

I'm new to twin needles so I've been watching many videos for guidance. This is the best video I've found. Thank you!

[@bkrisp30]

Exceptional video on sewing with a twin needle, thank you!

[@ruthfrantz8205]

I learned to sew before the age of knits so I avoided knits at all costs. Now I know how to tackle them!!!

[@chickadeeacres3864]

I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know that twin needles were for certain stitches. Mine came with my new to me machine and I thought it was for fun appliqué stitches. I used them for a double embroidered line with different coloured threads, and found the stitch that looks like smocking made an interesting decorative pattern. These tips are a bonus!

[@doreenmorawski3484]

Best video ever on twin needle sewing. So much great info and tips to try, Thank you!

[@jt3387]

Thank you, was able to use my twin needle for first time and successfully hem stretch pants!!

[@nadmustillo8765]

I find your videos to be excellent. You explain techniques and machine settings very clearly. Thank you so much.

[@m.b.ortega544]

Wonderful, thorough video about everything you can think of when it comes to using a double needle. Thanks!

[@Thelaststitch]

That makes me so happy to hear, thank you 😊

[@peacelovesweets]

Thank you so much for this informative video. I have watched several times learning something each time.

[@daisymarrero6738]

Great presentation. Thankyou very much for this valuable information. Now I understant better what to do while sewing Knit fabrics. These information will help me to avoid mistakes. ♥ Tx/PR

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you, that makes me so happy to hear 😊

[@jackiemesa7541]

The awl is a game changer! Mine’s shaped like a uselessly small screwdriver so it always sat aside. Thank you for this valuable tool!

[@jesspeak7543]

Fantastic tutorial and sharing of information and skills, thank you.

[@viktoriabalensiefen8911]

So great to learn about so many options to adjust the machine. I consider undoing the neckline facing tomorrow *sigh* and do it better ...

[@barbaracochran868]

Excellent video. I learned a lot & felt confident to try. Stacking two bobbins worked perfectly, a good tip. I am pleased with the results. Thank you!

[@AmiFriendsStudio]

Best video on trouble shooting twin needles with stretch fabric Thank you!

[@martinadrown5185]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I really appreciate you taking the time to go through all the options. I've really struggled with knits, and the twin needle, but after watching your video I feel encouraged to keep trying. And I'm definitely getting a walking foot! :)

[@Research0digo]

I LOVE my Pfaff!

[@susanbhatt3128]

What a wonderfully detailed video! Thank you so much.

[@terisafitzpatrick2350]

Just found your site today. I want to thank you for all these tips on knit fabric and twin needles. I've been wanting to try mine but didn't have any source for good instructions. Thank you again.❤️

[@millermusicstudioofsimpson6085]

Thank you so much for solving my tunneling issue !

[@paulopinheiro6981]

How funny! On minute mark 7:45, I was trying to read the message on background which was blurry. As I was trying harder, on min 7:50 the camera shifted that "depth of field", so I read it clean. :). Great presentation! Thank you so much. Hi from Tucson AZ :)

[@RoeRoe123]

What a wealth of knowledge to share. Thank you 🙏 I knew nothing about sewing with double needles.

[@sureenmitchell4358]

Thank you for a very comprehensive explanation about how to sew knits & the twin needle saga. I feel far more confident now as I have a walking foot which I absolutely adore!

[@Ingk_S]

I love wonder tape. It‘s a great tool to make sewing knit fabrics easy!

[@maxfathi596]

The main cause of tunnelling is the bobbin tension pulling the stitches together. You can use wooly nylon thread in the bobbin and just with that you will have improvements. If you are adventurous enough you can lower the bobbin tension on your sewing machine and with some experimentation you should get a perfect stitch with a beautiful zig zag and no thread showing on either side. Make sure to know where to bring back the tension to though!

[@julien7935]

Thanks Max. I've ordered a duplicate bobbin holder for just this purpose, so that I don't have to keep adjusting it once I've got my bobbin tension right for my stretch fabric. Thanks for suggesting the bobbin tension may help 😉

[@shanksre6186]

Thank you 😊

[@bohemiansusan2897]

Thanks for mentioning about the walking foot and knit interfacing for stitch consistency. I use a plate magnet to ensure my stitch line is perfecting even. I also turn under an edge so that no raw cut is shown. Just one of my quirks.

[@Thelaststitch]

I have not tried the fold thing, but it must make the finished look much neater I imagine, I will test it for sure

[@bohemiansusan2897]

@@Thelaststitch it does make it look neater. My autism has me be a bit of a perfectionist in my sewing, so feel free to take or leave anything I say.

[@kimberleyjane2338]

@@bohemiansusan2897 Yes. I agree. I dont have autism, but I cant stand when the finishes are incomplete. I havent used a twin needle yet though. I'm excited to try! Happy sewing.💕🇨🇦

[@Ljp925]

I was thinking of finishing the raw edges with an over edge stitch first. Then I will hem my garment. You think that will create a neater look underneath?

[@sandrashort1221]

I just bought a coverstitch machine because of the difficulty sewing hems in knits. If I had only watched your video first, my 6500 Janome would have done the job easily with its walking foot, interfacing and wonder under tape.. If I must change the bobbin tension (last resort) I always mark the original setting with a black marker. I have been sewing for 65 years and am always learning better and new techniques. Looking forward to going through your tutorials.

[@elizabethrowe7262]

Thank you for your tutorial! Have had so many issues with trying to use the twin needle on more stretchy type of fabric but find that my solution is a single Jersey needle and pressing up the hem (this is on a long sleeve t'shirt) then applying fusible interfacing for multi stretch, iron on, then placing tissue paper over the hem and sewing the lightening zig zag stitch on my Janome 2160 DC and at last no wavy hem and have finally solved the heart ache of sewing the hem line on stretch fabric. If I could not get this right I was ready to forget stretch knit sewing and concentrate on woven and save up to buy a cover stitch machine in the future so as to be able to make these nice garments. I still will but now that I am confident with making outfits with cotton and elastane and have metres of this fabric can make these now and be confident I get good results. I knew that perseverance wins in the end! 😊

[@maryhaper6768]

The best twin needle knit explanations I've every seen. Thank you!

[@annielawrence5350]

Thank you thank you thank you!!!! So helpful!! I learnt so much!!!

[@Cristaynful]

I can't wait to purchase your book on sewing a jeans!

[@kristinclarke986]

You are the best!! Thank you for all the great advice!

[@daphnebloomfield380]

Contrasting thread on the stitch sample would be very helpful, regarding the twin needle.

[@carolpatrick3567]

Great information, I was taught in the new owner guide classes for my 930, yes we are both old, yet good, that one spool of thread should turn clockwise and the other counter clockwise on the pins, then one thread is fed through the left side of the tension disc and the other thru the right side. Maybe Bernina decided this where not necessary but I use them anyway. You might checkout Wawak for needles, lots of choices. Thanks

[@sbaumgartner9848]

I love your suggestion of using the awl to slowly move a bit of fabric towards the sewing foot. And to sew very slowly. Thank you.

[@jeffreypatrick4667]

Excellent teacher 👏

[@jeroengrobben7555]

This is a fantastic video... for me, who has never sewn stretch material or used twin needle...all points well explained. Thank You. ( I just subscribed too..🙂🙂 ). Going to buy some wonder tape as well.

[@DopeMarkoinLA]

This is a great video not only for beginners but how to perfect sewing skills. THANK YOU!

[@letelilyfantfant4590]

Thank you for a great video! Just a note on the threading; on my machine, Brother innov-is A65, the manual says that only the first thread on the right needle should go inside the hook-shaped threadholder above the needle; i don`t know the english word for it and neither did google... The second thread just go straight down to the needle. So i will advice all to check your manual for how to thread for a twin needle on your machine. If you don`t have the paper manual you can find it online.

[@solarwinds-]

Yeah, love the twin needle for jeans. It makes for beautiful and effortless topstitching. Thanks for the tutorial as I've been having issues with tangling. Problem solved!

[@AbidingHopeMentalHealthCoach]

This was helpful. I’ve been sewing for 25 years, and I expect one day I’ll get a cover stitch machine, but first I want to upgrade from a regular home machine to one that runs over $1,000, mostly for the time-saving features and durability. Maybe it’ll last me the next 25 years. I am making part of my living sewing for people, so having a good machine is kind of important!

[@janetburkett3496]

What a great introduction! I had no idea what double needles were used for and you explained them well. Thanks so much!

[@Whistlewalk]

Really good information very clearly explained. Thank you!

[@davidpowell9965]

I tried to use some amber topstitch thread with a twin needle, even tho it was a thicker jeans twin needle, it was bad. It was a struggle with tension, tangling and skipped stitches. So since then, I've realised a much smoother option is to use standard thread with the straight-triple-stretch stitch. It looks just as good as thick thread, but sewed a lot smoother. I used thin bobbin thread for the back. And unlike the horror of needing to unpick a single needle stretch stitch, with a twin needle it is trivial to cut the bobbin side zigzag stitches with a seam ripper if you make a mistake.

[@anndalynnketellapper8296]

Thanks for a really informative tutorial. I hemmed a knit shirt for a friend and your instructions helped immensely! I first went to the Bernina site, but yours was the better instructions! Thanks!

[@mariefink3024]

This was a wonderful video! I look forward to viewing all of your videos.

[@helenesamuels7819]

Thank you for your very clear explanation

[@marigoldmirror5194]

Your an amazing person; thank you for sharing so many helpful tips!

[@tonysharp9552]

Your smile is beautiful,, and , thank you very much for the detailed information,, very helpful

[@anubis33]

Always check the machine’s manual for setting the twin needle. There’s usually a button to press.

[@susiewilson3943]

Thanks so much! Your videos are so clear and comprehensive, so much good information.

[@audreyh3809]

Well explained as always Johanna 👍

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you 😊

[@catherinedilworth1363]

Excellent presentation; I learned a few new things. Thank you.

[@jimbrittain402]

Thanks, My twin-needle technique needs some help, and this was useful for direction of what to look at.

[@JetStarGirl7]

Great video! I’ve been watching a lot of hem videos for knits. And this is one that’s made me really think I can do it!

[@philiptipping6738]

Many thanks I have learnt something today that I will add to my knowledge of twin needle sewing. Cheers Mary

[@Thelaststitch]

That makes me so happy to hear, it really nice to do deep dives into topics like this!

[@annlidslot8212]

Hej, Thank you for this video. I'm a completely novice sewer (I've taken the lid off. I've might have tried to sew some stitching on scrap pieces of damaged bed sheets), but I learned things that will come in handy in my future endeavors. Många tack. Hälsningar, Ann

[@debh2634]

Such a comprehensive guide - wonderful, thank you. I took notes so I'll have your guide handy when I need it. I'm very grateful to you for your time and effort.

[@ANDYCABZ]

Doing gods work. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@noelwilliams65]

Thank you for these helpful tips

[@deannemarino1382]

Success! I used a second bobbin case to adjust the bobbin tension lower (as low as the case would go without falling apart) and I brought the upper tension down to the lowest setting. On a double brushed poly it works great. On a stretchier viscose knit, I had to bump the stitch length up or put a more stable knit inside the hem - like a 100 percent cotton. I think a knit interfacing would work, too, but I don't have any. Yay!

[@peggymason7438]

Thank you for such a clear tutorial regarding twin needles! I sewed a lot when younger but haven't in about 15 years. I've never had a server or worked much with knits so thus is helpful. I'm glad I found your video.

[@Cookies-i2f]

Thankyou so much. Excellent information.

[@tisgone]

Brilliant comprehensive guide! Other videos I've watched on YT were little use. Your sewing machine is much better than mine but thanks to your video I'm tempted to try my twin needle for the first time in 10 years. TY!

[@kayspeak2227]

Me too. So glad to hear that I need not be ashamed to have had twin needles for more than a decade without ever feeling confident enough to use them 😂.

[@sharonsteele-davies5267]

Excellent thank you. I have not done a lot of sewing with twin needle and especially on knits this was so helpful and I have a Verona walking foot so excited to try out.

[@fionahobbs8818]

Very, very helpful video, thankyou!

[@Sustainingthepowers]

Thank you so much for this super helpful tutorial!! I just used it to shorten and hem the sleeves on my husband's polo shirts. The tips about how to adjust tension and stitch length to reduce tunneling were exactly what I needed!

[@ajul21520]

Very clear instructions

[@maryalgar8779]

Excellent information; excellent instruction. Very helpful tips and tricks. Thank you.

[@Nonchalant213]

Love the video and information.

[@stephaniedickson9617]

Nice. Thank you so much. I think I can do it because of your instruction.