Just wanted to let you know that last evening I made a top from spandex using the very close fitting knit top pattern. It turned out very nicely. I used white bathing suit material which was on clearence for $1 a yard in the winter. In the spring it is 15 dollars a yard. I also tried out my new cover lock machine for the hems in bottom and sleeves and it really looks "store bought" except it fits!!!!!!

Fantastic.isnt it great to be able to get what you expect and "save" on it.

Ive decided Im workign too hard and need soem play time so I am scheduling in a trip to "town".

Meaning the fancy shops at Bellagio where I can window snoop at Armani, Chanel and YSL, have a light lunch and feel Ive seen the moon and stars.

Im no longer shocked at 300 buck prices for the "knit top" you just described. So pat yourself on the back again! You really saved big time! and IT FITS!

Kaaren

Elaine thats wonderful,don't you feel proud when something fits that great?well done on the fabric choice too.

I also tried out my new cover lock machine for the hems in bottom and sleeves and it really looks "store bought" except it fits!!!!!!
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Sounds great. I am interested in what make of Coverlock you have. I am midstream at the moment and don't know which way to jump
PeggyM

peggym whats a coverlock machine,other than a serger please?or are they one of the same thing.
I have a 4 spool serger,with differencial feed.
Freda

quote:

Originally posted by Llantrisant:
peggym whats a coverlock machine,other than a serger please?or are they one of the same thing.
I have a 4 spool serger,with differencial feed.
Freda

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A coverlock machine is not a serger. It does not cut. It makes a marvellous double stitch or triple stitch hem showing rows of straight stitching on the right side and coverlock (very like overlocking stitches) on the wrong side.Used for hems on knits. Swimwear ,lingerie,Put in Coverlock in your search engine and you can read about them. Many of the overlock machines have a coverlock stitch but I am led to believe that they are difficult to change back and forward and that a dedicated coverlock is the best way to go.HTH
peggy

Frieda: If you look at your knit ready-to-wear, that is, If you have any ready-to-wear, lol! The straight line of stitching that goes down each side of the seam line, but is overlocked on the wrong side, that is a coverlock stitch. I have the Babylock Evovle serger and it has the capability to do the coverlock stitch as well, some of the newers sergers can do this. You can also purchase a machine that does only the coverlock, which is more convenient because setting up the serger for coverlock means you then do not have the serger/cutting part set up. HTH

Some one asked the brand of coverlock I have. It is a Janome 900CP. So far it has been wonderful. I had stayed away from knits because the hems were always wavey or curled. But the cover lock gives such a nice professional look to the sleeve hems and hems. I did pick up a tip especially if you ar working with lycra or a thin knit to prevent tunnelling-put stabalizer under the stitching.I'm going to get brave and try some neck treatments. I have 2 sergers but neither one does the cover lock stitch.Having a dedicated cover lock is a real luxury. My husband got it for me for my birthday which is in December so I'm just getting on to using it.

quote:

Originally posted by Peggym:

quote:

Originally posted by Llantrisant:
peggym whats a coverlock machine,other than a serger please?or are they one of the same thing.
I have a 4 spool serger,with differencial feed.
Freda

------------
A coverlock machine is not a serger. It does not cut. It makes a marvellous double stitch or triple stitch hem showing rows of straight stitching on the right side and coverlock (very like overlocking stitches) on the wrong side.Used for hems on knits. Swimwear ,lingerie,Put in Coverlock in your search engine and you can read about them. Many of the overlock machines have a coverlock stitch but I am led to believe that they are difficult to change back and forward and that a dedicated coverlock is the best way to go.HTH
peggy

I have a Bernina 300DC Serger. It's a 3/4 thread serger AND it does 3thread serge/2thread chain AND it does 2 or 3 needle cover stitch.

Changing from one setup to another can take as long as 4 or 5 minutes, using the manual. I took some one on one training at the dealer before purchase and a 4 hour training after purchase. I don't use the special setups often enough to do them without the manual, so it does take me the 4 minutes or so.

Just like buying a sewing machine, take your fabric to the dealer and ask to try it out. Also ask about how the different setups are done; try threading it yourself if possible; see if they will let you look at the manual.

BTW, I love my bernina. My dress shop "T" made from cotton lycra with greater than 50% stretch had the neckline and the sleeve and garment hems done with the 2 thread cover stitch and I love it. I made it about 1-1/2 years ago and my only complaint is that the dark blue in the fabric print is beginning to fade!

Deena, in Houston