Comments on: This Sewing Machine Kills Knits + Stretch Fabrics!

By: Lex

Lex — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:13:52 +0000

A zigzag should be fine. Even with fairly stretchy stuff (like spandex) a zigzag stitch will put up with quite a lot of stretching.

I find that the larger the shirt, the easier it is to work with, but really, as long as it fits with a little wiggle room, you should have enough to add sleeves without a problem.

By: Bowdownknave

Bowdownknave — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:54:27 +0000

I love your blog and it helped me a lot yesterday when I picked out my first sewing supplies! Moving on, I intend to sew sleeves made of ninety percent cotton and ten percent polyester on a torso comprised of the same material, although I will also use a jersey knit alternative. For the jersey fabric and t-shirt reconstruction in general, would a zigzag stitch suffice to keep the seams from ripping under semi-stretchy fabrics, or should I wait to buy a serger? Also does the shirt I borrow the torso from have to be substantially larger than my scrawny size? I planned on militating the seams of several of my T-shirts that I no longer care about and raiding my local thrift store.

By: Best Sweing Machines

Best Sweing Machines — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:28:48 +0000

Had no idea about sergers. I guess they can become a necessity for any kind of stretch fabric since they are difficult to handle with regular sewing machine. Thanks!

By: Amanita Hill

Amanita Hill — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:28:22 +0000

I did a lot of research before buying and I ended up going with the Brother 1034d. It had the most top reviews. I love it. It’s my first serger and it’s easy.. like Danya said, the cd’s & books, etc. I got it for a whopping $180 on amazon. Now my friends who thought they couldn’t afford a serger are looking into it, too. Thanks for the tip, Lex.

By: Lex

Lex — Sun, 16 May 2010 18:00:24 +0000

It’s true, and I have to say… for a cheap plastic machine, it’s really surprisingly durable. Mine is still alive and kicking.

By: DanyaMichelle

DanyaMichelle — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:36:20 +0000

I bought the 1034D recently, and I am genuinely in love with it. It’s so easy to thread, change hems and everything about it is just simple and straight forward. The manuals and computer disks help a ton too. I definetly recommend it for a newbie at sergers.

By: Lex

Lex — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:27:19 +0000

That’s a good point! I always recommend used sewing machines, but sergers are the same deal, I’m sure. I’d love to get my hands on an old all-metal serger!

By: i made it

i made it — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:45:11 +0000

Because i do lots of shirt refashion, i invested in a used one.
I never buy new machines, just love the old mechanical workhorses. Bought mine for 200 $ which included 28 hardcover singer books..yeah yeah …. but honestly i think it was the best investment i ever did.

By: sewing machines reviews

sewing machines reviews — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:56:51 +0000

These are excellent tips. Your second tip about using a ball point needle is right.

By: Lex

Lex — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:39:24 +0000

Ru- You’re very welcome!

Katja- I got my first serger in 2004, and I seriously don’t know what I’d do without one now. I’d definitely recommend one if you want to work with t-shirts and knits.