Unraveling the Secrets to Sewing Knit Fabric: A Beginner's Guide

Are you ready to step up your sewing game and conquer the world of knit fabric? If yes, then you have come to the right place! Sewing with knit fabric can be intimidating for beginner sewers, but with the right techniques and tips, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. In this article, we will guide you through the basics of sewing with knit fabric, from choosing the right materials to mastering essential techniques. Get your sewing machine ready and let’s dive into the world of sewing with knit fabric!

Sewing with knit fabric can seem like a daunting task, especially for beginners. While it may be more challenging to work with than woven fabrics, the results are well worth it. Knit fabric provides comfort and stretch, making it ideal for various projects such as t-shirts, leggings, and even dresses. However, sewing with knit fabric requires different techniques and tools compared to woven fabrics. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps on how to sew knit fabric and provide tips to make your sewing experience successful.

Understanding Knit Fabric

Before diving into sewing with knit fabric, it is essential to understand what knit fabric is and its properties. Knit fabric is made up of interlocking rows of loops using one or multiple yarns. This construction gives the material its stretch and drape.

One of the essential characteristics of knit fabric is its stretchability. It can stretch in both directions, known as two-way stretch or four ways, known as four-way stretch. Additionally, knit fabrics are comfortable to wear as they move and conform with the body’s natural shape.

There are various types of knit fabrics available in the market, such as jersey, rib knits, interlock knits, French terry, and more. Each type differs in weight, stretchiness, and texture. It is crucial to understand the type of knit fabric you are using before starting your project as it will affect your sewing technique.

Preparing Your Machine

When working with delicate materials like knit fabric, it is vital to prepare your sewing machine beforehand carefully. One essential step is changing your needle to a ballpoint or stretch needle. These needles have a slightly rounded tip instead of a sharp one used for woven fabrics. The rounded tip prevents damaging or piercing the delicate knit fibers while sewing.

It is also recommended to use a walking foot instead of a standard presser foot. As the name suggests, a walking foot has a set of feed teeth that moves the fabric from the top and bottom, providing even pressure and preventing puckering.

Choosing the Right Stitch

With knit fabric, you must use the correct stitch to ensure your garment’s seams are strong enough to withstand the stretch. The two main stitches used for sewing knits are a narrow zigzag stitch and a stretch stitch.

A narrow zigzag stitch resembles a straight stitch but has a slight zigzag between each point. This stitch allows the fabric to stretch without breaking the thread, making it perfect for projects that require more movement like leggings or athleisure wear.

On the other hand, a stretch stitch looks like two parallel rows of straight stitches with small diagonal lines connecting them. This stitch is specifically designed for sewing knits as it provides both strength and stretchability.

Preparing Your Fabric

Before starting your project, you must prepare your fabric correctly. Knit fabrics have a tendency to curl at the edges, making it difficult to cut straight lines. To avoid this issue, you can use pins or weights to keep the edges flat while cutting.

It is also essential to pre-wash your knit fabric before sewing to prevent any shrinkage after completing your project. This step is crucial as sewn garments made with unwashed knit fabric may warp or shrink after being washed for the first time.

Tips for Sewing with Knit Fabric

1. Use tissue paper – When working with lightweight knits, place tissue paper under your fabric while sewing together seams. The paper acts as an extra stabilizer and prevents puckering.

2. Test on scraps – Before sewing on your actual project, it is always wise to test your machine settings and stitches on scrap pieces of similar material. This will help avoid any mistakes and ensure that you have the right tension and stitch length for your chosen knit fabric.

3. Use a serger – If you have access to a serger, it is an excellent tool for sewing knits. A serger’s overlocking stitch provides both stability and stretch, making it perfect for finishing raw edges and creating strong seams.

4. Avoid ironing – Unlike woven fabrics, knit fabrics do not require ironing. The heat from an iron can damage the delicate fibers, leading to distortion or shrinkage.

5. Use a walking foot when hemming – When hemming your garment, it is best to use a walking foot or a twin needle to ensure the hem maintains its stretchability.

Conclusion

Sewing with knit fabric may take some getting used to, but with practice and following these tips, you will be able to create beautiful and comfortable garments. Remember to choose the right needle and stitch, prepare your fabric correctly, and work slowly and steadily as you sew. With time and experience, you will become more comfortable working with different types of knit fabrics and tweaking your techniques for various projects. So go ahead and experiment with patterns and designs that show off your newfound skills!

Benefits of Sewing with Knit Fabric

Sewing with knit fabric opens up a whole new world of possibilities for any sewing enthusiast. Not only can you create comfortable and stylish clothing, but knit fabric is also perfect for home decor projects, accessories, and even toys. But that’s not all – there are several other benefits to sewing with knit fabric that you may not have considered.

One of the most significant advantages of using knit fabric is its stretchiness. This type of fabric can stretch in one or both directions, making it much easier to work with than woven fabrics. This feature allows for more forgiving seams and fitting, making it ideal for beginners or those who prefer a forgiving material to work with.

Moreover, the stretchiness of knit fabrics also makes them more comfortable to wear. Unlike traditional woven fabrics that tend to restrict movement and can be uncomfortable, knit fabric moves and stretches with your body. This aspect makes it a popular choice for activewear, loungewear, and maternity wear.

Another benefit of sewing with knit fabric is its durability. Knit fabrics are known for their ability to withstand regular wear and tear without losing their shape or developing holes over time. This quality makes them ideal for everyday clothing items such as T-shirts, leggings, and sweaters that get a lot of use.

In addition to being durable, knitting fabrics are also low-maintenance. Most knits are machine washable and can be dried on low heat settings without any shrinkage or damage. This ease of care makes them practical choices for daily use items.

Different Types of Knit Fabrics

There is no shortage when it comes to choosing the type of knit fabric for your project. Each one has its unique properties and characteristics that make it suitable for different purposes. Here are some common types of knitting fabrics you may come across:

1) Jersey Knit: One of the most popular types, jersey knit is soft, lightweight, and has a slight stretch to it. It is perfect for creating T-shirts, dresses, and other comfortable clothing items.

2) Interlock Knit: Interlock knit is made of two layers of jersey knit joined together, making it thicker and more structured than regular jersey. It is ideal for more fitted garments such as leggings or bodysuits.

3) Rib Knit: As the name suggests, rib knit has a ribbed texture that gives it extra elasticity. This fabric is commonly used for cuffs and waistbands on clothing pieces.

4) French Terry: This type of fabric has a smooth surface on one side and loops on the other, making it soft, absorbent, and perfect for casual wear such as sweatshirts and loungewear.

5) Ponte de Roma Knit: Ponte de Roma knit is thicker than most knits and has a slight stretch to it. Its weight and structure make it an excellent choice for tailored garments such as skirts and blazers.

Sewing Techniques for Knit Fabric

Working with knit fabrics requires some specific sewing techniques to achieve a professional-looking finish. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when sewing with knitting fabric:

1) Use the Right Needle: When sewing with knits, always opt for a ballpoint needle instead of a sharp one. The rounded tip of a ballpoint needle will help prevent snagging or piercing through the delicate fibers of the fabric.

2) Use Appropriate Stitches: Straight stitches tend to break when subjected to stretching, so use stitches specially designed for knits such as zigzag or stretch stitches. These types of stitches allow the seams to stretch without breaking.

3) Test-stitch First: Before starting your project, test-stitch on a scrap piece of fabric first. This way, you can adjust your stitch length and tension if needed before sewing on your actual project.

4) Use a Walking Foot: A walking foot helps feed the top and bottom layers of fabric through the sewing machine evenly, preventing wrinkles or stretched-out areas.

5) Don’t Stretch the Fabric while Sewing: Unlike woven fabrics, you should not tug or pull on knitting fabric while sewing. This can cause puckering and distorted seams. Instead, let the fabric feed naturally through your machine.

Tips for Making Perfect Knit Garments

1) Choose Your Thread Wisely: Use a polyester or cotton-wrapped polyester thread for your knit projects as these types of threads have some stretch to them, which will prevent your seams from breaking when stretched.

2) Consider Using Stabilizers: If you are working with a particularly thin or delicate knit fabric that tends to stretch easily, consider using stabilizers. Stabilizers are temporary backing materials that provide extra support to your fabric when sewing, preventing it from stretching out.

3) Invest in a Good Quality Serger: A serger is a professional seam finisher that can produce sturdy and neat seams on knits effortlessly. While not necessary for all knit projects, owning a serger will make sewing with knits even more accessible and give you more professional-looking

Q: What types of knit fabric is best for sewing?
A: The best types of knit fabric for sewing are jersey, interlock, rib knit, and double knit. These fabrics have good stretch and recovery, making them easier to sew.

Q: Is it necessary to use a ballpoint needle when sewing with knits?
A: Yes, using a ballpoint needle is crucial when sewing with knits. This type of needle has a rounded tip that slides between the knit fibers rather than piercing them, preventing snagging or pulling.

Q: How can I prevent my knit fabric from puckering while sewing?
A: To prevent puckering, use a stretch stitch or a narrow zigzag stitch instead of a straight stitch. Also, make sure to use the correct tension on your machine and avoid stretching the fabric while sewing.

Q: How do I finish raw edges on knit fabric?
A: The best way to finish raw edges on knit fabric is by using either a serger or an overlock machine. If you do not have access to these machines, you can use a zigzag stitch along the edge or trim the edges with pinking shears.

Q: Can I sew buttonholes on knit fabric?
A: It is possible to sew buttonholes on thin and stable knit fabrics. However, they may not be as secure as buttonholes on woven fabrics. It is recommended to reinforce the area with interfacing before stitching the buttonhole.

Q: What kind of thread should I use when sewing knits?
A: It is best to use polyester thread for sewing knits as it has more stretch and flexibility than cotton thread. You can also opt for wooly nylon thread for extra stretchy and bulky knits. Avoid using cotton thread as it may break easily when stretched.

Sewing knit fabric can seem intimidating and challenging, but with the right techniques and tools, it can actually be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Throughout this guide on how to sew knit fabric, we have covered important tips and strategies that will help you achieve professional-looking results.

First, we discussed the importance of using the right needle, thread, and presser foot for sewing knit fabric. These components are crucial in preventing skipped stitches and puckering, allowing your sewing machine to glide smoothly through the fabric.

Next, we highlighted the various types of stitches that are suitable for sewing knit fabric. From zigzag stitches to overcasting and stretch stitches, each one serves a specific purpose in ensuring that your seam is durable and has enough flexibility to accommodate the stretch of the fabric.

We also touched upon important techniques such as using a walking foot or tissue paper to prevent the fabric from stretching or bunching up while sewing. These simple yet effective strategies can make a significant difference in achieving clean and even stitches on your projects.

In addition to techniques, we discussed the importance of choosing the right type of knit fabric for your project. By understanding their characteristics and how they behave when stretched or manipulated, you can select the best type of knit for your pattern.

Another crucial aspect covered in this guide is

Author Profile

Jill Nammar

My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.

Unraveling the Secrets to Sewing Knit Fabric: A Beginner’s Guide