How to Sew Knits Without a Serger
You want to sew a knit garment but have only your old standard sewing machine. While a serger is ideal for knits, home sewers were sewing knits long before sergers became popular. Sergers use an overlock stitch to sew, finish and trim the seam in one operation. Even older machines come with a lockstitch for knits, but you can successfully work with knits just using a straight or zigzag stitch.
Things You'll Need
- Scissors
- Thread
- Double sewing machine needle (optional)
- Ballpoint sewing machine needle (optional)
Instructions
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Set your stitch length a little longer than normal. Nine stitches per inch will work. Place the knit fabric in the sewing machine under the presser foot, as you would for woven fabric. For a double knit, sew a 5/8-inch seam. For a single knit, sew a 1/4-inch seam. Single knit fabric tends to roll at the edges, so it's treated a bit differently.
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Pull gently on the fabric as you sew, to slightly stretch the knit. This creates ease in the stitches, so they won't break when the fabric is stretched.
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Finish a double knit 5/8-inch seam with a zigzag stitch, if you wish. Knits do not ravel like woven material, so it is usually not necessary to finish the seam edges. Press the 1/4-inch seam of a single knit to one side, and topstitch it.
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Hem a knit garment by using a zigzag stitch. Or use a double needle to sew a straight seam, gently pulling on the fabric as before.
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Tips & Warnings
A ballpoint needle for a sewing machine is rounded on the tip so it will not cut the knit threads. They can be found at most fabric stores.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
