Problems sewing stretch fabrics
 

Does anybody have any suggestions for successfully sewing stretch fabrics? I have tried sewing zig zag seams and also using a walking foot, but with no success. I couldn't believe just how difficult this has proved to be and am ready to bin the project altogether.

Use a fusible stabilizer which keeps fabrics from stretching. There are very lightweight woven and non woven stabilizers to choose from. ( not fusible webbing for appliques- stabilizer)

Use a needle made for stretch fabrics.

I sew with a slight sig sag stitch try it good luck

There is a needle made for stretch (knits) plus you do a very small zig zag or some machines actually have a stretch stitch built in, even my machine that is close to 30yrs has this feature. There is clear stablizing tape that you can run along the seam as well. Do a google search, I would bet there is a you tube video on it.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. Your suggestions have worked and I am now off to complete my project. What would we do without the Board and of course you yourselves for helping out in a crisis.

What was not included in the question - did you want to sew the fabrics so they would still be stretchy? or did you want to sew them so they would be not-stretchy?

I never gave that any thought. All I was concerned with was trying to get my seams to appear to lie flat.

For garments, you want the seam to remain stretchy. For quilts, you don't want the seams to be able to stretch.

How did you end up fixing the problem?

Following information provided by Romanojg I changed my needle to a ball point one and used a zig zag stitch.

I'm so happy that it worked for you. Even if you are embroidering you need to have the ball point needle for stretch fabrics. Rather its knits or sweatshirt fabric. Happy sewing.

BALL POINT needles are essential for sewing on knits.