sewing Jersy knits HELP

Hello all,
need some help with my sewing, I am a very basic sewer(sewee?) I have a basic "brother" model sewing machine that the most crazy feature on is the zigzag stitch!! I'm not a nut when it comes to sewing but i know the basics that will hold a seam, dress, plush together!
So here's the issue: I am determind to make a 50's style swing dress for the summer, I have the pattern and am in search of some awesome fabric (something with Skulls hopefully) So while searching e-bay i came across a Jersy Knit with tiny Jack Skellington heads and cross bones on it, so I bought it figuring that i would do a trial run with my dress! So I got the fabric yesterday and i realized that i have never sewed with Jersey knit before!
My mom mentioned that i need a ball-tip needle for my machine which is cool , i can get that! But she also mentioned that that type of fabric rolls when cut...

Anyone out there have experience with Jersey knits and know any tricks or tips that might be helpful to me in this adventure?
any help or tips are greatly appreciated!!!!!! Happy

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8 replies since 29th April 2010 • Last reply 29th April 2010

I've used it a few times...but I'm no expert either. It does roll like crazy, so I just pinned the tar out of it and went really slow. Also, I found that pulling the fabric taut (gently) from both the front and the back helped a little ... BUT... like I said, I'm not an expert, so I'm not sure if this is the correct way to do it.

Plus, I think you need to use a zig zag stitch.

I use my serger for any jersey material I use...IF I ever use it. (it's a pain in the butt)

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Hi Melissa, I have come across this problem before with napped velvet. The way I tackled it was to pin the pattern to the fabric then sew around the pattern close to the pattern paper. Then sew another row around again about 1cm out from this. Cut in between the 2 rows of stitching. This way it keeps the shape and rolls less.

Someone may be able to come up with an easier way.......hopefully Happy

You will probably have to stay stitch around armholes and necklines to keep the shape. Make sure you test the tension by stitching a straight line across the stretch then pull it to see if it snaps or bunches. Snapping is too tight, bunching too loose. Hope this helps.

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hi melissa!!
i would definitely recommend a needle with ball tip for jersey, otherwise you could possibly cut the thread of the fabric and have holes at your seam. for decorate or hem stitching you can use a twin needle. it looks like a seam on a t-shirt but with zigzag in the inside. my experience sewing jersey with a normal zigzag was always moderate because it got stretched a lot (like sheila explained) and after sewing i had ugly waves in my seam, so the serger is my best friend... Happy but maybe you have a nice machine!!!
against rolling ends i used starch (in these spray cans) once, it worked quite good when you don´t pull the fabric that much
have fun with your dress!!!

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omg, good luck. i hope to never encounter a sewing project that involves jersey. :-s

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I sew with knits all the time. And I am by no means an expert but. I just sew with a regular old needle. I sew the seams first with a regular straight stitch. Then I make sure everything is fine and dandy, and if it is then I sew the edge of the seam with a zig zag stitch so that it doesn't fray later. I don't know what you are suppose to do, but this has worked fine for me. (=

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Oh and I pin the crap out of it too to keep it from rolling.

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Thank you all for your advise! I haven't had the time to tackle it yet but I'm preparing for this weekend (hopefully) Happy

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Good luck Melissa Happy

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