I have not used a sewing machine in 30 years and am now using DDs to hem some stretchy items. Reading online reviews is confusing, can any one recommend good brands of thread? And is there a need to use the stretch needle? Any other helpful hints?
You probably want a ballpoint needle; if the ballpoint skips stitches, go to the stretch needle. Guterman is a good thread, as is Metrosene.
Hem using a zigzag stitch, so the hem can stretch.
Hit you-tube for some tutorials.
One way to hem a stretch knit is to use a one inch strip of iron-on interfacing where you are going to stitch the hem. This will stabilize the knit and allow you to stitch a nice flat hem. If you use the interfacing you can use a regular stitch for the hem. But you will need a ballpoint needle as mentioned above.
ditto what wellspring said. You may have to experiment with a ball point needle and a stretch needle. A universal needle may work as well. There is no one right answer because knit fabrics vary significantly. Depending on the fabric, one type may work better than the other. I find that I need to keep several kinds on hand and I experiment on a piece of scrap fabric to test the needle first.
Also, since it’s been so long since you last sewed, you may need new thread.
A stretch needle is appropriate for very stretchy fabrics like Lycra. For most other knit fabrics, like t-shirt fabric, a ballpoint needle would be better. As @bookreader says, you should experiment on a test swatch (or an inconspicuous part of the garment like the inside of the hem) to figure out what works.
@bookreader, good point, but in this case my DDs MIL set her up with a lovely little starter machine and sewing kit, all new thread. It’s a lot like riding a bike, I’ve hemmed all the non stretch items, with a lot of help from You Tube to load the bobbins and thread the machine the first time :">
I’ll check out the ball point needle and the other ideas. Thanks!
Last time I had a stretchy fabric to deal with, I asked my friend with a serger to do the work! It took her five minutes, no hassle, and worked perfectly.
Most sergers can’t hem, though.
@“Cardinal Fang”
My friend has a high end serger. It hems…quickly, easily and nicely…stretchy fabrics and knits.
I’ve only hand-hemmed stretchy fabric. It worked fine (prom gowns for D) and saved us $$$ and kept D from tripping on too long a gown.