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I make horse clothing ;-)…and I have avoided this issue for a while..by using other methods and just taking a hit or miss attitude..or redo it until it kind of works…but there must be a way to do this right all the time..and I just don’t know what it is!..when sewing on TOP of elastic with a rubber or lycra content…how do you avoid the bobbin tension problems not allowing the thread to lay smoothly on the side you cant see when you sew…(tangled thread mess on one side of elastic)..AND how do you avoid pushing the rubberized elastic pieces through the material with the needle as you sew?..I use fine, ball point needles for the most part 70-45…as I sew most often on lycra blend fabrics..what am I doing wrong?
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Replies
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Hi,Pam!
I think you could try to use a stretch instead of a ball point needle. (And maybe an 80) Just a suggestion. Hope it helps!
*It sounds as though what is happening is that the hook is not catching the thread as it comes down in the needle--that would explain the mess of uncaught thread on the underside of your elastic. I agree with Dawn; the stretch needle has a different length "scarf" that might help it make a loop with the hook, and your size 70 needles does sound a bit small for the job. If these ideas don't work, you might try experimenting on scraps with a bunch of different needle types and sizes, and then, of course, you can ask someone who teaches sewing (like in Adult Ed classes).
*I own a brother serger 925D, but I am not sure if it can a flatlock stitch(I think that is what it is called) this stitch gives two parallel lines on the right side while the other side is serged. Please help.
*Hi! How are you doing with your elastic application? If I understand correctly, any serger that does a two or three thread stitch can flatlock. It's a matter of tension settings and how you feed the fabric through. Try a 3-thread stitch, with needle tension almost zero and lower looper tension fairly higher than normal. Guide the fabric edges (or folded edge, or edge and elastic edge) so that the overlock stitch is half on and half off the fabric. In other words, half of the serger stitch is "in the air". then you should be able to pull the layers apart and see the ladder effect on one side. My book says that for elastic, use a long stitch length to avoid stretching the elastic out of shape. Good luck!
*pam gordienko - 01:14pm Sep 3, 2000 ESTI purchased a Bonfit Wizard and have been pleased with the results. They have a web page, left click on the words 'Elastic Wizard' when you reach that page left click again on the words 'Elastic Wizard' and a brief description will explain its purpose; go to the bottom of the page left click for frequently asked questions. http://www.bonfit.com/
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