What stitch should I use for a cardigan?

Stitching seams

This narrow zigzag will allow your seams to stretch, preventing them from popping when the sweater is worn. Because the stitches of a serger are narrow, the zigzag stitch is better suited for these types of sweater knits.

What stitch is best for knits?

A zigzag stitch is your #1 of best stitches for knits. There's very few situations where you won't get good results with a zigzag. It has a little give to it, so when you wear it, those stitches don't get stressed as the fabric stretches on your body.

What is the best stitch to use for stretchy fabric?

We recommend using the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine as it allows the fabric to stretch and retract with the thread. The twin needle will do two rows of zigzag stitching, offering a more secure stitch with a professional finish.

What is a flat stitch in sewing?

The flat stitching (or understitching) is sewn to keep facings and linings from peaking out, especially around necklines and armholes and around the waist on a lined skirt to stop the lining riding up. It also means that when turned and pressed, the seam line tends to favor the inside of the garment.

Should you press knitting before sewing up?

Always block your finished pieces before seaming. By flattening and setting the shape of your pieces, you will be able to more easily line up your stitches to seam them together. The fiber content of the yarn and the stitch pattern of your knitting will often determine how you block your finished pieces.

What Stitch Should I Use? (Sewing for Beginners)

Can I use a straight stitch on stretch fabric?

Use stitches that will hold the stretch of the fabric – the stitches need to stretch with the fabric, so they don't pucker and break. If you must sew with a straight stitch, then hold the material taut, but don't pull it.

What is zig-zag stitch used for?

The Zig-Zag Stitch is a very versatile stitch. Use it for seam finishing, applique, bartacks, satin stitching and more. For some sewing techniques with this stitch, it can be helpful to use a Satin Stitch Foot to help prevent the fabric from puckering.

Can you sew a knitted sweater with a sewing machine?

As long as your machine has an adjustable zigzag stitch, you'll be able to sew nearly any handknitted fabric. A walking foot can be helpful for making sure that fabric feeds evenly, and adjustable presser foot pressure is helpful when working with particularly thick fabrics, but neither is necessary.

What tension should I use for knit fabric?

Tension: For loftier knits or stable knits, like ponte or scuba knit fabrics, try a lower tension around 2 or 3. Around 4 is usually good for heavyweight knits. The 4-5 Tension range generally yields the best results with light to medium weight knits.

Can I sew knits with a regular sewing machine?

You might think you need an overlocker or serger if you're sewing knit fabrics. But don't worry if you've only got a regular sewing machine – sewing knits is perfectly possible. No need for professional or fancy sewing machines!

Is a chain stitch a stretch stitch?

Most cover stitch machines can even do a chain stitch, which looks like a regular straight stitch on the right side, but has a series of loops on the wrong side. This kind of stitch, when properly secured, is both stretchy and strong.

What is the Stretchiest stitch on a sewing machine?

Triple Straight Stitch (aka Stretch Stitch)

The triple straight stitch is a very strong stitch because it locks three times. In other words, the needle makes one stitch forward, one stitch backward, and another forward for a total of three short stitches side by side.

Can you sew jersey with straight stitch?

You can either choose a straight stitch and sew it with a twin needle (shown above), or, what I often use on children's clothing, is the three-step zigzag (pictured below). Find a full tutorial on sewing a twin needle hem here.

What is the lightning stitch?

The lightning bolt stitch is often the recommended stitch for sewing knits according to many sewing machine manuals. Having the upward and downward motion for the zigzag, rather than directly side to side, helps reduce puckering or tunneling.

Do you have to block knitting after every wash?

You will not need to fully reblock a wool sweater every time you wash it, but you will have to reshape a little and let it dry flat every time, just as you would if it was a store-bought wool sweater. When in doubt about how to best wash your newly knitted item, always refer to the yarn label.

Why should you block your knitting?

Blocking will smooth the stitches and make your fabric look fabulous. It can even the sizing of knitted pieces. Remember it can't add an inch that you forgot to knit but it can ensure your knitted pieces are all exactly the size they should be, and that they match each other.