Replies

1. 
   sewelegant | Mar 20, 2008 08:37pm | #1

   My guess is you need a walking foot... if you don't want to go out and purchase one, try loosening your presser tension (I cannot do this on my machine, but lots of machines can)      It seems to me like you are having too much pressure asserted onto the fabric when you stitch and it distorts it.  Does that sound reasonable?

1. 
   blessedtosew | Mar 20, 2008 08:48pm | #2

   I am using a walking foot.

1. 
   From my Stash.... | Mar 21, 2008 01:48am | #3

   Did you use any interfacing (such as tricot) to help stabilize it before stitching it?

   But if all else fails....

   Since you are having this much trouble, are you really really wedded to the idea of the top-stitching around the neckline?  It might just be easier to add a band instead.

1. 
   blessedtosew | Mar 21, 2008 02:24am | #4

   Adding a band sounds like a fantastic idea.  I had not thought of that.   I am going to do that and forget the topstitching.  Thank you so much!!!

1. 
   denise | Mar 22, 2008 01:04am | #5

   I  have just done a T shirt course,  and we used twin needles for sewing areas like the neck and hem,  worked wonderfully.

   I would really recommend the courses on strech fabric,  I did one around 33 years ago but brushed up my knowledge through courses on the internet just recently.

2. 
   blessedtosew | Mar 22, 2008 02:52am | #6

   What course are these?

3. 
   jjgg | Mar 22, 2008 05:56am | #7

   You need to loosen the top tension. Tightening it up is what is causing it to gather.The other thing you can try is using wooly nylon in the bobbin.

4. 
   blessedtosew | Apr 02, 2008 08:18pm | #8

   I just wanted to let everyone know that I finally finished the dress.  I ended up making facings for the neckline.  Then I sewed very close to the edge by loosening the top tension and the dress turned out pretty.  Thanks everyone.

5. 
   Teaf5 | Apr 03, 2008 12:08am | #9

   Thanks for letting us know the outcome! It's nice to hear when a project comes out well; gives me inspiration to keep trying.

6. 
   rodezzy | Apr 03, 2008 11:54pm | #10

   Can we see pictures of the dress.  You don't have to be in it, just want to see what a beautiful job you did.

7. 
   blessedtosew | Apr 04, 2008 03:18am | #11

   I will post a pic of me in it.  I am planning on wearing it to church Sunday so I will take a pic and post it then.  Thanks.

8. 
   rodezzy | Apr 04, 2008 05:28pm | #12

   Oh wonderful, that's something to look forward to.

9. 
   blondielou | Apr 06, 2008 08:42am | #13

   I always use tons of knits and I am unusual in that I don't do the typical edges for knits or the topstitchng....  What I do is use whatever neckline I want (and it is never a high t-shirt type or other round boring standard neck style).  I like V's, square, boat, U neck, sweetheart and I also have interesting back neck shapes as well.

    

   How I do this is by using fusible interfacing.  Both on the garment (cut 1/4 to 5/8" shorter than the facing and the edge cut with pinking shears or cut 5/8" off with a wave edge rotary cutter blade.  Fuse interfacing, front and back, directly to the garment.   I have a steam press so it is fused on very firmly, with a lot of steam and pressure.....if you don't have one, do the same the best you can with the iron you have (press from both right and wrong sides).  Then sew the facings and also put the fusible interfacing on the facings.

    

   The combinaton of interfacing on both the garment AND the facings gives added stability and the neckline looks great for a long time.  I suggest also pressing the facing up and edge stitching so the seams lie flat.  You can top stitch or not, totally your decision.  'Also, you can use stitch witchery between the garment's fusible interfacing and the interfaced facing to have the facing stay down and in place.

    

   With my ballroom dancing, it is very important that my clothes fit well and that everything stays secure and nothing moves around when it shouldn't!

    

   Laura