How Do I Prevent Curling Edges on Knit Fabric While I Overlock?

[guestmama9911]

I just made a soaker with sherpa cotton fabric and the edges turned out wavy. Is there a secret to getting it to lay flat?

[walker67]

In my machine (I have a brother) I have to adjust the tension in which the fabric feeds thru at the presser foot.

[jillmamma]

I think you have to adjust the differential feed. Play around with a scrap of fabric till you get it to look how you like. That is pretty much what I have to do.

[guestmama9911]

I have no idea what you both just said! Pretend I'm 6 years old. How do I adjust the feed?

[E.V. Lowi]

Originally Posted by alisaterry

I have no idea what you both just said! Pretend I'm 6 years old. How do I adjust the feed?

Some overlock machines don't have differential feed. I have an older White and it doesn't. My Janome does have differential feed and there is a dial to set for it right in front.

For the White, when sewing knits that I don't want to lettuce when I serge, I sew a single needle edge stitch with the sewing machine first. I sew on top of crisp *tracing* paper (not tissue) and tear it away when I am done sewing. Then I serge over this stitching and it stabilizes the edge and cuts down on the ruffling. HTH.

[guestmama9911]

Thank you, that does help!

[haydensmom06]

Originally Posted by E.V. Lowi

Some overlock machines don't have differential feed. I have an older White and it doesn't. My Janome does have differential feed and there is a dial to set for it right in front.

For the White, when sewing knits that I don't want to lettuce when I serge, I sew a single needle edge stitch with the sewing machine first. I sew on top of crisp *tracing* paper (not tissue) and tear it away when I am done sewing. Then I serge over this stitching and it stabilizes the edge and cuts down on the ruffling. HTH.

That's a really neat tip! I haven't done much work with knits because it's a little daunting to me because of the ruffle effect. I'll have to try what you've described!!