The Blue Dress (x-posted)

[Chrystal]

stretchy fabric like lycra is difficult to sew. Tried to make pair of panties for Shontae with some, and finished it by hand. So any tips from those more experienced will be most welcome.

[TheShadow]

Absolutely stunning little blue dress! Just perfect for her!

[catshem]

Turn the thing 180 degrees and sew a few stitches and repeat. That way at least you get to end off.

*smacks head* Thank you for that tip!

[magkelly]

I got a Janome a while back and I just adore the thing. I don't but half know how to use it, mind you, but I love that machine. I'm a lousy hand sewer and since I started using it everything I make for my dolls looks so much better. I need some more bobbins though. Yet another reason I need to get my tush to JoAnn's soon. I do have thread but unless I get more bobbins soon I am going to be very limited in what colors I can use because nearly all of them are taken now. I'm tempted to order those and more thread from Amazon because they have some awesome deals on that stuff on there, but I don't have the $$$ for big lots of anything right now. Maybe after Christmas...

As for lycra it works better with a non-standard needle. I was doing something like that a while back and it made a huge difference swapping out. There's heavy duty needles and needles that are made for making undies. You need those undies ones, not the regular needles, for lycra. It really helps.

[Jobee]

Great work! That dress is really elegant. I looooooove hand-sewing with stretchy knits. ^.^

[kenaiqueen]

Lovely color and great job!

They make special pins and needles for knit materials. They used to be called 'ball tip' because they are slightly rounded to keep from snagging the material but I don't know if they have changed the name since I've not looked lately. Check at your local sewing store. They make a big difference.

[Chrystal]

Hi Magkelly,

Thanks for the tip about the needles. I must look for those underwear ones - are they the ballpoint needles by any chance?