What thread is the stretchiest?
Most normal sewing machines can't take elastic threads -they will break in the bobbin and in the needle part they snap under the tension needed to make stitch. Plus these threads aren't strong enough to hold stretch seams together without popping and breaking. You need regular polyester thread -it has a bit of give and strength -and a couple changes to the settings of your machine. To make a garment with maximum stretch you need to use a a very close zig zag stitch and ordinary thread. Use a width of 3.5-4.5 mm and a length of 1-1.5 mm. A smaller length of under one will give you a very stretchy stitch. Test this out and you will see how much this will stretch! Most stretch fabrics should be sewn with a ballpoint needle to prevent skipped stitches. When sewing stretch the fabric slightly without yanking or pulling it under the needle. Let the fabric feed through naturally -stretch the fabric -not the machine! Use a strong polyester thread -you don't want the thread to pop or break when a seam is stretched. Many sewing machines have built-in stretch stitches that are even stretchier and stronger -such as the three step zig zag. This stitch is used by commercial swim suit makers for maximum stretch. follow the machine's manual for the best set up for the three step zig zag. Some have even better stretch stitches, check your machines instruction manual and follow the instructions. You can buy elastic shirring thread for the bobbin. This is not used for all purpose stretch fabric sewing -it is used only for a special decorative technique known as bobbin shirring or stretch smocking. There is a soft stretchy thread used in servers and overlockers called Woolly Nylon or Woolly polyester. It is sometimes used in the bobbin( not very well) -but it can not be used in the needle. It's made for the loopers of overlock sergers for stretchy soft seams.
Altering sewing pattern that calls for stretch fabric?
Don't do it. I work every day with stretch fabrics. the patterns designed for stretch fabrics are cut differently with much less ease and room than ones designed for woven fabrics. For instance a pattern for a skirt of woven fabric adds 3-4 inches to the hip measurement, when knit patterns do not. These ease measurements are not built into knit patterns, they assume you are looking for a smooth, tighter fit, especially around the shoulders, arms, back and bust. Stick with patterns for woven fabrics. You will be disappointed in the drape and fit of your garment if you decide to try it.
What kind of sewing machine foot do I need to sew stretch fabrics?
A regular foot is ok-release the pressure a little if you can. Use a ballpoint needle and a slightly smaller stitch than usual.If sewing KNITS, using an overlocker, serger and/or coverseam machine will give a better finish and stitch allows the seams to stretch without breaking threads.
Does it matter what type of thread I use with different fabrics? Do I need to match cotton with cotton for example? What about stretch?
For most purposes, it is not necessary to match thread.I would caution, though, against using those all-polyester threads which used to come in the cheap “sewing kits” of the 1970s - they tangled miserably. Back then, it was much safer to use the more expensive all-purpose thread composed of a strong polyester core wrapped with “mercerized” cotton.Nowadays, polyester fibers are now spun to resemble natural fibers, and all-purpose thread is now 100% polyester. Go ahead: it’s perfectly fine to use, it works wonderfully, and doesn’t tangle up.Quilt-makers can get picky about using 100% cotton thread with their 100% cotton fabrics. But for most of us mortals, it’s not necessary.When using a serger, you will want to become familiar with the different types of threads that are available. In general, the big spools of serger-thread are of strong, stretchy polyester. For serged hems, though, you may use “wooly” nylon thread, a thick, springy thread which can neatly and completely cover the raw edge of fabric.When using a regular sewing machine, stretch is not dependent on the type of thread you use, but on stitch technique. You can sew in stretch by stretching the fabric as you sew (taking care not to bend the needle, by pulling the fabric both ways, use one hand in front and one hand behind your sewing). Another way is to use a shallow zig-zag stitch or one of the herringbone-like “stretch” stitches found on your machine.
Can I sew stretch material or fabric with my antique singer machine?
If you use a pattern for woven and and not knit (the latter is a smaller cut) you will have enough ease that a stretch stitch or zig-zag will not be needed. Polyester thread has a little give to it. I would go with a stretch needle as the ball point sometimes skips and the poly thread. Make one simple project to see if you like the results. Never did like the old "stretch and stitch" method. When knit was the rage back in the seventies, I used a straight stitch (special needles where not available) and poly thread. Patterns for knits were not that readily available and I got along just fine with the patterns for woven (non-knit) fabrics.
What type of thread should be used to sew bathing suits?
I have used standard Coats & Clark (cotton wrapped around a polyester core), polyester serger thread, and wooly nylon - it depended on what machine I was sewing one.Before I got my serger in 1993, I used standard Coats & Clark thread on my sewing machine, as it was the most readily available thread - since it was sold almost everywhere that sold fabric and even in the grocery stores for mending - although they might have only eight or ten colors of thread where the fabric store would have more than two hundred choices of colors.Once I got a serger, I used polyester serger thread - sometimes, for the stretchier fabrics, I'd get wooly nylon to use in the loopers on the underside of the seam - wooly nylon is not easily wound onto a bobbin, so using it in a sewing machine is problematic - sewing machine needles aren't built to use it and winding it by machine stretches it out of shape, so you have to wind it slowly and relatively loosely so that it retains its stretch. It's easiest to use on a serger and you get better performance from it, too.
HOW TO SEW ELASTIC LACE TRIM on stretch fabric?
It is not so much the thread that you choose, as it is the stitch on your sewing machine. To maintain the stretch of the legwarmer, you must choose a "stretch" stitch on your machine to sew the trim on. So any type of thread will do. Cotton, Polyester or a blend would work fine.
What type of stitch should be used when working with stretchy fabrics, so that the stitches don’t rip when the fabric stretches?
There are a few techniques you can use to avoid stitch breaking and snapping when sewing with stretch fabrics:For machines that offer it, the “stretch stitch” (03 in the image) is the best option. This stitch allows the fabric to stretch as the stitches rearrange themselves so there is a lot more thread available.Almost every sewing machine has the zig zag stitch (04 in the image above), so even the most simple machines can perform this one. It is just as effective, just make sure your seam allowance is in the right place for this one. Try to use a medium stitch width and length so there is no gapping and it doesn’t stretch.The broken zig-zag works great also (05 in the image above)Use a stretch nylon thread if you can (NOT elastic thread, but one like this: Nylon Stretch Thread 100D/2 Thread for Sewing Elastic and Knitted Fabric Underwear,Swimsuit,Yoga Wear,Cycling Wear (Black))Use an overlock machine. If I had one tip to give, it would be to invest in one of these. I use this as much as, and even more than my other machine. It is the single most important machine when working with stretch fabrics. It maintains the strength of the stitches and has a differential feed, so the fabric doesn’t stretch out as it feeds through.If you’re using a regular machine, try experimenting with a walking foot or a roller foot so the fabric glides through more easily and doesn’t get stretched and warped as you sew it, and adjust your thread tension so it’s not too tight.If you are looking for more sewing tips, feel free to check out my YouTube channel, I create tutorials and fashion videos for designers and artists. Here’s a stretch t-shirt tutorial I made that has a link to my favorite stretch fabric online store (It’s hard to find affordable quality stretch fabric online).I hope this has been helpful!