QUOTE(Metanoia @ Feb 9 2007, 02:13 PM)
I was looking around at some brand stuff and ones I like in particular seem to be made of a loose knitted material. I was wondering if there are any tips for sewing this sort of material so that I don't fail and end up a shaking mess at the end of any experiments.
Hmm, advice for stretch knits - things can vary a bit depending on the type of knit fabric. But some general hints:
Ballpoint needle in your machine (sizings the same as needles with point, the chunkier the fabric the chunkier the needle needs to be)
Use your machine's "stretch-stitch" or a small zigzag if you're machine is not recent enough to have a specified stitch.
If it's a very loose 'crochet' type knit and your machine jams because there's not enough fabric for it to make a lock stitch on, try laying a strip of tissuepaper along your stitching line. The fine paper gives anough purchase for the stitch, and it can be ripped out afterwards.
From your picture it looks like the edges aren't finished (hemmed) at all, so you need to check your fabric before you buy it, that the raw edges won't fray on you (most knit fabric are OK, but some aren't)
And if you want that slightly fitted look (as opposed to the really baggy t-shirt look) you actually need to make the pattern smaller that your normal size. Just how much smaller depends of the stretch of the fabric though. (If you're working from a commercial pattern that is designed for a stretch, that should give you some guide)
Hope that helps
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