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Sewing knitted or stretch fabrics

There are many people fond of sewing who prefer to sew flat fabrics or what is the same fabrics that do not have elasticity for fear. They think that it is a difficult fabric to sew or that they do not have the right tools. Nothing could be further from the truth. I even dare to say that they are easier to sew.

This knicker bottom pattern is a good starting point if you haven't sewn anything with this type of fabric. It is very simple and quick to sew. The stitch allows a margin of error that the flat is more difficult to hide, it has few seams and you will be able to make more complex projects later on.

Patrón digital de costura braga culote Noa

What will you learn?

  • You are going to learn how to sew a rubber band at the waistband.
  • You are going to sew elastic seams with zig zag stitch.
  • To sew the lower part of the panty without inner seams.
  • To become fluent with elastic fabrics.

Tips for sewing knitted or stretch fabrics

I want you to see that with a simple sewing machine, a knitting needle and a zig zag stitch you will be able to sew any knit or stretch fabric with a good finish. The panties that you are going to see in the tutorial I have sewn with my domestic sewing machine and an overlock but if you don't have an overlock you can do everything with the normal machine.

  1. You will need a ball point needle (specifically for stretch fabrics), so that the fabric fibers move sideways when the needle goes through the fabric and do not break.
  2. Use a zig zag stitch if you use a flat (normal) machine or any specific stitch for stretch fabrics. If you do it with a straight stitch, when the fabric stretches, it will split.
  3.  If you have an overlocker, use the four threads to sew and polish the seam allowance. In a single pass you will do both operations (sewing and polishing the seam allowance).
  4. For the double stitching of the front of the braquette, use the double needle specific for stretch fabrics and two spools of thread. This seam is decorative and optional. I invite you to watch this reel I made on instagram account. Maybe it can help you to thread yours.
  5. Finally, use the specific presser feet for elastic fabrics. Teflon presser foot or the double-drag foot.The Teflon foot is non-stick and travels over the fabric without stretching. The double-drag foot walks on top of the fabric.

Ideas for uses

Step-by-step video tutorial for underpants

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Note: The sewing process shown in the video is personal and indicative. This is how I sewed it. There are other processes to reach the same result and here I explain one of them. Include your own solutions or add new details that do not appear in the video. It is possible that you have sewn something similar in some occasion and that you have done some part of the process in a different way. All options are valid. I advise you to try several and then decide which one you find most comfortable to sew. 

 

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