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Tip: Keeping the edges of knit fabric from curling

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One of the challenges of sewing on knit fabrics is that the edges tend to curl.  This is particularly true with jersey fabric.  One little tug and the fabric curls in, making it difficult to gauge a correct seam allowance. 

Debbie from Squiggly Twigs Designs shares a tip for keeping the edges of knit fabrics from curling up while you sew them.  I won’t spoil the surpise here; go to Squiggly Twigs Designs to see what to do.

As a sewer, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be when the edges of your knit fabric start curling while you’re trying to sew. But don’t worry, there are a few tips and tricks that I’ve found helpful in keeping the edges of my knit fabric from curling while I sew.

  1. Stabilize your fabric: One of the easiest ways to keep your knit fabric from curling is to stabilize it with a fusible interfacing or a lightweight knit fusible. Simply fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of your fabric before you start sewing.
  2. Use a walking foot: Another helpful tool is a walking foot for your sewing machine. This type of foot has feed dogs that move the fabric along, helping to keep it from stretching and curling.
  3. Pin, pin, pin: Pins can be your best friend when it comes to keeping knit fabric from curling. Place pins along the edge of the fabric to hold it in place as you sew. This will help prevent the fabric from stretching and curling as you work.
  4. Sew with a stretch stitch: Make sure to use a stretch stitch when sewing knit fabric, as this will allow the fabric to move and stretch without distorting the seam.

 

 

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Have you read?

Learn All About Sewing Velvet Fabric

 

I’m always tempted by the pretty velvets at the fabric store.  So much texture!  And the way the fibers catch the light!  But sewing on velvet is trickier than you’d think.  That nap that lends beautiful texture also likes to slip and crawl.  That nap can also spell disaster if you cut a piece the wrong direction.  That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use buy that velvet and sew it into something gorgeous, you just need to go into your velvet sewing project prepared.  And Melissa at Melly Sews has a post that takes you step by step through sewing on velvet. 

Velvet is such a luscious fabric, especially for winter sewing projects.  Of course there are velvet Christmas sewing projects – stockings, tree skirts, santa hats – but velvet is beautiful for all winter.  Think of all the gorgeous velvet dresses, evening bags, hair accessories, even pillows and other home décor that you see all winter long. 

Melly Sews’ post gives you the tips and tricks you need to know in order for your velvet sewing project to end up a success.  There are types of projects better suited for velvets, and kinds of projects to avoid.  She describes the different types of velvet available.  And she also tells the best way to lay out and cut your pattern pieces from velvet fabric.  Her tutorial also covers marking, pressing, and of course sewing that beautiful fabric.  There’s also a video included in case that’s your preferred method for learning.

Head over to Melly Sews to learn how to sew on velvet fabric. 

And if you want to learn more about that lovely blue velvet dress shown, she has a post that tells more about it including 2 ways to style it depending on if you want to be more dressy or more casual.

[photo credit: Melly Sews]

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