Replies

1. 
   sewcea | Aug 13, 2009 05:09am | #1

     I've altered a lot of knits. I'd say having a serger makes all the difference in a professional result. I usually measure, cut, serge the raw hem, then turn up and either topstitch, or pick out a hem by hand. Don't use cheap cotton thread, use a poly or poly blend, a stretch needle, and a med to med-long stitch length.

     Much sportswear looks and wears best best with two rows of evenly spaced topstitching to hold the hem in place. If you get puckering while using a serger, then your tension needs adjusting.  Some knits are just ornery and want to pucker. I tame them by using steam ( heat appropriate to the fabric-let me stress this so you don't melt your knit) and using the iron weight to steam out any puckers. Reminder: never 'iron' the knit-- use the weight of the iron to press the bubbles out.

   sewcea

2. 
   Tatsy | Aug 14, 2009 06:39am | #2

   With ready to wear skirts it's sometimes easier to shorten them from the top, especially in dresses that have waists that can be cut apart, shortened and put back together. On the whole, I find that using a double needle and just making a line of stitching from the top does not cause much stretching at all. A double needle can be used in any machine, and if necessary, an extra threadstand can be purchased for a very low price.