Zoe Day 3

Zoe Day 2

Zoe Day 1

 

Ok, here we are at day 3, and we are finally ready to sew.  I’m sure those of you that are more advanced were ready for this step.

The first thing that you need to do is make sure all of your machines are set up properly.  That means put your ball point or stretch needles on your machines.  If your machine has a differential feed, set it to the proper setting for knits.  Your manual should tell you the proper setting.  If your machine does not have a differential feed, you will need to set your foot pressure to lighter than normal.  This should keep your fabrics from stretching when you do not want them to.

I always, always, always run a test of the fabric I am using through my machines.  Here is what my interlock looked like after its test through the serger.  I was unhappy with the bottom row, but the top row was great.  I had to adjust the differential feed in between those sets of stitches.

Here’s a look at my serger’s settings:

If you do not have a serger, you can achieve the same results that I’m going to achieve by simply sewing your items together…then, finishing them with a zig zag stitch.

Before we begin, I need to give you a warning.  Do not stretch your fabrics as you sew unless it is indicated to.  You do not want to have a stretched out tee at the end.  Try your best to let the machine guide the fabric and do not pull the fabric at either end.

Now, we will stitch the sleeves to the front of the shirt one at a time.  You will need to look at the markings you made.  Two markings indicates the front shirt piece.  You will sew the side of the sleeves to the front that have the two markings.

Here are the picture steps that show you what that will look like:

Now, you will sew the back piece to just one of the sleeves.  This is important.  You will not have a complete circle of shirt after you are finished…it will have an opening.  Line up the sleeve and the back piece fronts together.

Now, sew it together.  When you are finished, it should look like this:

There is one sleeve side and one back piece side that are sewn to nothing. 

Here’s where we are going to stop for today…this is a good chance for everyone to get caught up.

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