What tension should I use for Lycra?

Set your upper tension to between three and four, which is a neutral tension setting. Sew a test line of stitching along one edge of your fabric. Remove the fabric from the sewing machine and inspect your line of stitches. The seam should have even stitches that look the same on both the front and the back.

What tension should I use for zig zag stitch?

The dial settings run from 0 to 9, so 4.5 is generally the ‘default’ position for normal straight-stitch sewing. This should be suitable for most fabrics. If you are doing a zig-zag stitch, or another stitch that has width, then you may find that the bobbin thread is pulled through to the top.

What needle do you use to sew Lycra?

Use a stretch machine needle. Make sure you have the correct sized needle to suit the thickness of the Spandex. I mostly use size 80/12 or 90/14. 100% polyester thread usually works better than a cotton thread for spandex fabrics as it is less likely to break or rot with sweat or chlorine.

Why is my serger skipping stitches?

Sewing machine needles can become dull after about 7 hours of sewing, and a needle that’s dull, bent, or simply old can easily make your stitches skip. At the same time, make sure that your needle is in all the way, if you don’t loosen the screw all the way before you insert, then your needle may by to low.

Why is my serger stretching my fabric?

This serger is equipped with two sets of feed dogs under the presser foot to move the fabric through the machine. When the differential feed ratio is set at less than 1.0, the front feed dogs move slower than the rear feed dogs, stretching the fabric as it is sewn. …

What tension should I use for thin fabric?

Use size 70/10 for really thin cotton like voile, size 80/12 for light to medium weight cotton, and 90/14 for thick cotton like denim.

Can you use a serger to sew Lycra?

Use a Serger or Overlock Machine A serger is an optimum way to construct seams on Lycra. An overlock stitch is both professional looking and stretchy all in one. With the serger’s ability to trim the edges even before overlocking the edge.

What is perfect tension on a serger?

Perfecting your tension means creating a perfect balance of “tightness” between all of the threads. Imagine a teeny tiny game of tug of war between the threads. When the fabric is perfectly settled between all threads, you’ve got yourself a balanced stitch. With a two needle serger, this means four threads.

What is the best thread to use when sewing on Lycra?

I am a fan of polyester thread when sewing on Lycra fabric. It is strong and colorfast. It also works well in sewing machines, sergers, and coverstitch machines. Our fabric brand of polyester thread is Isacord embroidery thread.

How to use a serger correctly?

The trick is leaning to create the perfect tension balance between the multiple threads moving through the loopers and needles to create the perfect stitch. Many serger instruction manuals and DVDs give you a head start by including a list of proper tension settings for commonly used stitch options and fabrics.