Nancy Zieman’s Top 10 Knit Sewing Tips

McCall's M7331 Knit Wardrobe Collection by Nancy Zieman for The McCall Pattern Company

Nancy Zieman’s Top 10 Knit Sewing Tips

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McCall's M7331 Knit Wardrobe Collection by Nancy Zieman for The McCall Pattern Company Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

Wherever you’re going, knit garments will take you there in comfort and style! Sew one or more knit garment pieces – that are perfect for layering. And sewing knits are easy and enjoyable with Nancy Zieman’s Top Ten Knit Sewing Tips!

McCall's M7331 Knit Wardrobe Collection by Nancy Zieman for The McCall Pattern Company Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

Nancy Zieman’s Top 10 Knit Sewing Tips!

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #1: 

Choose a pattern suitable for knit fabrics, with few seams – letting the drape of the fabric be the star. Choose a pattern such as our Knit Wardrobe Pattern M7331 by Team NZP Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com for The McCall Pattern Company.

McCall's M7331 Knit Wardrobe Collection by Nancy Zieman for The McCall Pattern Company Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

Sew a loose-fitting, unlined knit jacket with self-lined/self-fabric front. Or sew a pullover top with stitched hem – with just three easy pattern pieces. Stitch a stylish skirt with elasticized upper edge self-lined yoke band with 1″ Knit Elastic . Or make tapered cuffed pants for comfort – all day long!

NEW! Ponte Knits with 5% Spandex available at Nancy Zieman Productions at ShopNZP.com

Nancy Zieman's Top 10 Knit Sewing Tips Ponte Knits Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #2:

Select quality knit fabrics with at least 25% crosswise stretch and 5% spandex – for durability and sag-free comfort while wearing. Our NEW! Ponte Knit Fabrics are the ideal fabrics for sewing dresses, tunics, pants, skirts, and jackets! 

Note From Team Nancy Zieman Productions Refer to pattern envelope back – for sizing and fabric yardage.
McCalls 7331 Pattern Envelope Back and Yardage Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

McCalls_M7331_NancyZieman_Knit_Wardrobe_Collection_M7331_001 Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #3:

Use the guide sheet, included with the pattern to layout pattern tissue pieces. With a pencil and  yard stick, extend the grainline the entire length of the patter piece. Pin pattern pieces to fabric, or use pattern weights, heavy washers, or can goods to hold pattern tissue pieces in place.

Nancy Zieman's Top 10 Knit Sewing Tips at the NZP Blog nancyzieman.com/blog

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #4:
Before cutting, double-check all pattern pieces are in place. Instead of using a scissors, use a 28mm or 45mm Rotary Cutter, Mat and Ruler. A 28mm Rotary Cutter easily cuts curves – such as sleeve caps and armscyes. Before removing the pattern tissue pieces, transfer markings to wrong side of fabric with Chacoliner or Marking Pen. Because knit fabrics look similar on the right and wrong side, place a piece of painters tape on the fabric wrong side – on each of the cut pattern pieces.

 

Nancy Zieman's Top 10 Knit Sewing Tips at the NZP Blog nancyzieman.com/blog

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #5:

Stabilize garment back: Cut Multiple 1/2″ or 3/4″ bias strips of Pellon Easy-Knit Interfacing . Prior to stitching, fuse interfacing strips to the wrong side of garment back – at top neckline and along shoulders and neckline.

Schmetz Chrome Jersey Ball Point Needles, Size 80:12 Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #6:

Select a sewing machine needle designed for sewing knits – such as Schmetz Chrome Jersey/Ball Point Sewing Machine Needles.

 

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #7:

Choose a seam option: Use a sewing machine or serger for knit garment construction.

Nancy Zieman's Top 10 Knit Sewing Tips at the NZP Blog nancyzieman.com/blog

  • Serger: Choose a 4-thread overlock stitch. Now’s the time to use that serger!

Nancy Zieman's Top 10 Knit Sewing Tips at the NZP Blog nancyzieman.com/blog

  • Sewing Machine: Set sewing machine for a wobble-stitch: Choose a slight zigzag (2.0-2.5 length and .5 width). On the garment outside, this stitch will give the appearance of a straight stitch, while providing a slight amount of stretch to the seam.

Clear Elastic availalbe at Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #8:

Include a length of clear elastic within the stitching of the shoulder seams, to provide extra seam stability. On garment front shoulder seam, serge or wobble-stitch the seam, stitching over the clear elastic. The shoulder seams will stretch when needed without stretching out of shape or popping stitches. This tip works on shoulder seams of any length.

 

Seam Stick Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #9:

Press seams flat, then press open – or to one side. Pressing the stitches flat makes it much easier to press the seams open, or to one side. To Prevent seam edges from making an imprint on the fabric right side, press seams over a Seam Stick.

 

 

Nancy Zieman Knit Sewing Tip #10:

  • Many knit garment sewing patterns don’t have facings to finish the edges – and one fabric layer is all that’s used. Finish single-layer garment edges with a double fold.
  • Fold and press under a double 1/4-inch and straight or wobble stitch. Stitch one center-front edge (center-front jacket seam in this example) and then stitch the hemline. Before stitching the hemline’s double fold, place a scrap of fabric under the presser foot, stitch from this “anchor cloth” scrap onto the garment fabric, then onto a second anchor cloth. The anchors allow you to easily sew thicker areas at the corner – with even stitches. Clip off the anchor cloth when finished.

 

Shop McCall's Patterns Available at Nancy Zieman Productions ShopNZP.com

The McCall Pattern Company and Team Nancy Zieman are delighted to bring you The Nancy Zieman Productions TM Collection of sewing patterns designed for those of us who love to sew and have limited sewing time.

McCall's M8022 Dress and Tunic Sewing Pattern by Nancy Zieman Productions for The McCall Pattern Company Available at Nancy Zieman Producitons ShopNZP.com

We’re designing patterns to be sewn with Nancy Zieman’s innovative sewing techniques. Within each of our McCall’s patterns, we give you construction tips and specific hints how sewing notions can be used to save time. You’ll find that in a matter of hours you can sew fashion garments and make your daily style pop.

McCall's M8022 Dress and Tunic Sewing Pattern by Nancy Zieman Productions for The McCall Pattern Company Available at Nancy Zieman Producitons ShopNZP.com

McCall's M7331 Knit Wardrobe Collection by Nancy Zieman for The McCall Pattern Company Available at Nancy Zieman Producitons ShopNZP.com

We hope you’ll give sewing knits a try with Nancy Zieman’s Top 10 Knit Sewing Tips! Visit shopnzp.com for innovative knit sewing fabrics, notions, and McCall Patterns designed by Nancy Zieman Productions!

McCall's M7331 Knit Wardrobe Collection by Nancy Zieman for The McCall Pattern Company Available at Nancy Zieman Producitons ShopNZP.com

ShopNZP.com Logo by Nancy Zieman Productions NEW! Ponte Knits with 5% Spandex available at Nancy Zieman Productions at ShopNZP.com

NEW! Ponte Knits with 5% Spandex available at Nancy Zieman Productions at ShopNZP.com

Related Post

Two-Layer Turtleneck Scarf Sewing Tutorial & NEW! Stretch Jersey Knit Fashion Color Palettes – Curated by the Stitch it! Sisters

Two-Layer Turtleneck Scarves Sewing Tutorial at The Nancy Zieman Productions Blog

 

Two-Layer Turtleneck Scarves Sewing Tutorial at The Nancy Zieman Productions Blog

 

 

 

Nancy Zieman Productions The Blog Giveaway

For a chance to win a copy of McCall’s Knit Wardrobe Pattern M7331 by Team NZP, please leave a comment below and let us know what holiday fashion sewing you’re planning.

The McCall Pattern Company will give away one Knit Wardrobe Pattern M7331 by Team NZP to one US resident in the 48 contiguous states. Winners must reply within 30 days to the official giveaway announcement email message – sent from Nancy Zieman Productions.

McCall's M7331 Knit Wardrobe Collection by Nancy Zieman for The McCall Pattern Company Available at Nancy Zieman Producitons ShopNZP.com

 

The randomly selected winner of a 10-Pack of Clover’s Wonder Clips, from the November 12 Blog Post, NEW! 2020 Monogrammed Christmas Stocking Sewing Tutorial & FREE! Applique Printable by Team NZP, is Joyce.

I Sew For Fun Wonder Clips 10 pk from Clover

Her comment is: The monogrammed Christmas stocking is so cute. And the fabric colors are very appealing.

 

 

Happy Sewing!

Team Nancy Zieman

Nancy Zieman Productions. LLC.

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Stitch it! Sisters is a production of NZ Productions LLC. Content in this feed is © copyright 2020 by Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC and may not be republished without written permission. You’re welcome to forward the email to a friend or colleague but it’s not okay to add the RSS feed automatically as content on a blog or other website. The FTC requires us to tell you that Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC has provided products by other companies in the course of doing business. The FTC requires us to advise you to take this information into consideration when reading this posting.

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14 Comments

  • Susan Du
    November 19, 2020

    Thanks for all the great tips when sewing with knits. No holiday garment sewing this year but love the colors of your stretch jersey and ponte knits. Great colorways for some spring outfits.

  • Carla Stearns
    November 19, 2020

    I am making lovely outfits for my two-year old grandson. He’s calls me Gigi and blows kisses! He’ll be the best dressed toddler around! I’m using mainly knits. Thank you!

  • CARLA
    November 19, 2020

    I haven’t sewed with knits in years and it looks so easy from the information above. I should try making some of those scarves shown above that can be used in our “society of 6 feet away”. My son and grandchildren and their significant others are all working out in a public job as pizza drivers, waitress and waiter. I just have to make a list and remember to use the correct supplies as that will make it “SUPER EASY”, even for me.

  • Barbara Anderson
    November 19, 2020

    My holiday sewing is for family gifts. Distancing is necessary for us, sadly, so it is even more important to get it done. I lol how this pattern fits any need we might have for daily apparel and dress up needs.

  • Dixie
    November 19, 2020

    I love working with knits and will be sewing for my granddaughter,

  • Carolyn T
    November 19, 2020

    My sewing plans include leggings, like those in this pattern! I have clear elastic, but need a little more direction. In Tip #8 it’s used as a stabilizer. Do I give the clear elastic a slight pull while stiching, as with waistband elastic? Thank you!

  • beth d.
    November 19, 2020

    I am going to be sewing a Christmas quilt to put on my bed for the season

  • Rita M Skraba
    November 19, 2020

    I am working on making gaiters for my family

  • Clovis
    November 19, 2020

    I just cut out re & black velour to make some leggings.

  • Susan
    November 20, 2020

    Plan to sew some skirts for the winter and appreciate the tips for sewing with knits.

  • Bonnye
    November 20, 2020

    I just had eye surgery so a new knit outfit will have to wait a month. But looking forward to getting back to sewing.

  • Noreen
    November 21, 2020

    I’m sewing some fleece blanket bags for Christmas. I love this pattern -it’s a mini wardrobe!

  • Lorraine A
    December 17, 2020

    I’m sewing relaxed skirts using Nancy’s method for applying elastic waist bands.

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