When I learned sewing at the age of 12 I loved the process of creating a garment from cutting the pattern to construction and fit. That was until I reached the final stage of finishing the edges and I can't tell you how many wavy hems and just horrible collars I made, especially when it came to knit. Nothing said craft project to me. Out of my frustration I bought a serger at 14 with my Christmas money thinking it would fix this problem. Finally over the years I've learned some tips and techniques to fix these pesky problems even on the most challenging of knits. Here are my top tips for finishing your knit edges. Everything is in the video here but you can read below for more tips: -Serger: I suggest investing in a serger for quicker more professional finishes if you do this enough. I use the rolled hem on almost all my designs and the time it saves is a plus. -Don't pull/stretch: when you pull the fabric as you sew the hems it will wave and ruin your project. Gently guide them through and take your time. -Use Tissue paper as a stabilizer: softer knits can be hard to sew hems and get sucked into the sewing machine. Try using tissue paper as a stabilizer by sewing it with the hem and removing it by tearing away when done. If their is little pieces still in the thread it will dissolve in water. Simply fold over your hem, iron into place, and then put the tissue paper underneath when sewing. This also helps glide the knit better between the feed dogs and presser foot so you don't have to pull which equals more waves. (watch the video for how to). Use the selvage edge- If you're using a four way stretch knit, use the selvage edge as a finished hem. This is the self-finished edge of fabric and will make your project a whole lot easier. I use this on my convertible cardigan here that has about 4 yards of edges that need to be finished. For great jersey fabric try Organic Cotton Plus. Top of the line jersey and all natural. -Double needle: this is how most professional knits are sewn and great for bottom hems creating 2 even stitches side by side. The video shows you how to do this. I also use t-shirt hems from old projects as binding like this collar. (watch video for how to). Neckline Binding: The video shows you how to do this simple binding technique and one of my favorite ways to finish a knit collar. Band Hem: This is great for sweatshirt type hems and what I used for my DIY raglan sweatshirt here. You can even do this on the collar as well just make the band smaller. I hope through this post I can spare you the frustration I felt whenever I ruined a project from this pesky fabric. What are your favorite ways to finish your edges? Any tips you'd like to share below?
The Cicely Dress is a free sewing pattern perfect for prom dresses, wedding guest attire, and bridesmaid dresses this 2022 event season!
All my readers must be familiar with my easy baby girl dress pattern. This is my most famous pattern to date, having been repinned over 150,000 times. The pattern has been available only
These no-sew Halloween plushies are so adorable and they're really easy to make! No sewing skills required! No-Sew Halloween Plushies With a few pieces of felt, our free printable template and a glue gun you can make one of these cuties in about 20 minutes. Grab our free printable template down below! I used to love sewing, I really did. But somehow with kids, I just don't seem to have the time to sew anything more than the arms, wings, legs, etc. that annoyingly fall off the the made-in-china stuffed animals my kids smother with love. Which is why I
A collection of 32 felt projects for kids of all ages and abilities, including no sew ideas for toddlers, simple sewing projects for beginners, and more!
I just have to show the back first on this dress right?! I need to first start out by giving credit to the photographer Michelle […]
Bring out the fashion designer in your kiddo while they learn some math by sewing. Includes a simple, kid-friendly tutorial for a gathered skirt.
Boro is the age old Japanese art of mending textiles and is literally translated as rags or scraps of cloth. As far back as the 17th century, peasants, merchants and artisans would patch up clothing…
Sewing is an awesome skill for kids to have! Starting out with yarn wrapping and hand sewing is great for youngsters for hand and eye coordination and exercising those fine motor muscles, and then learning
View details for the pattern Girl's Chanel-Style Jacket 02/2013 #150 on BurdaStyle.
