Tubular knits

[sewingrandma]

Has anyone worked with these? Do you cut them open and go from there or what? I've looked the pieces over that I have and I don't have a clue where to start as the knit seems to run around the tube. I was given a box of knits to use for baby items and most of them are tubular so I really need to get and understanding of them.

[sewingmom]

I am anxious to see the answers you get. It has been 35 years since I delt with tubular knits. That was back in the days of Cloth World and other huge fabric stores.

[MartySews2]

Truly, I have not worked with tubular knits. However, I see them being used in baby shirts which has the same front and back piece or onesies. I would use them for any pattern piece cut on the fold. Here's a tutorial by Nancy Zieman for sewing with knits ... Maybe it will help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6pq4GXuOQE and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qps_bfOTKBI

Marty

[sewingrandma]

Thanks for the you tube reminders Marty. I've seen both shows and I also got interested in the serger techniques from Nancy while I was there. I know I've seen both those shows also but it is always nice to refresh my memory. Some of the techniques I don't use on a regular basis so I forget them when I want them. I really like bringing the tail around to the front under the presser foot and stitching over it so I don't have to go back later and either run it under the stitches with a needle or use a sealant on it. I also like finishing the end by turning the fabric over and restitching but unfortunately on my serger I can't sew unless the blade is engaged so I generally end up cutting stitches resulting in a mess. Marty or Libby, can you stitch on the Lauren with the blades disengaged?

I did more research into tubular knits. Some are for ribbing, which I knew from sewing with them for my kids/grands . They generally are narrow about 18 inches wide. The tubular knits I received are 28 inches wide and the grain line is way out of line. Some say to try to get the grain line back, leaving it in the tube, some say to cut on line and open it up and use it like you normally do a knit. I also read where you need to make sure the creases haven't faded or can't be pressed out before using the crease as a fold line. It is best to refold and avoid the crease if possible. I didn't know that most knits are made tubular and then cut apart and the edges glued!!
I really enjoy working with knits but the ones that were given to me are really fraying my nerves. It may be why all of it was donated.

[LeapFrog Libby]

It sounds to me like you were given a bad batch. I was given a chance to get a lot of that at one time several years ago. I took a few pieces but not many. I was glad later I passed on most of it. I did get2 pieces straight enough to make a couple of nightshirts for myself. (knee length tees for sleeping). I do buy the ribbing at Hancocks to make the tee necks for the bibs I make from fingertip towels. It is the first quality that you mentioned about being 28 inches wide. (that Hancocks carry) I used to buy he ribbing at Wal Mart that was 60 inches wide and flat (no fold) but it was not as heavy as the regular ribbing . It was some good and some not so good. I was glad when they discontinued fabrics at WM.

[sewingrandma]

I'm still dealing with tubular knits but have found a way to make sure I am finding the on grain quicker than what I was doing. I was going thru Nancy Z's website and she mentioned that she always folded her patterns on the grain line so that she would have a larger area to get it straight, but she also mentioned that when working with knits she cut them in a single layer and placed the folded grain line marking along one line of knit in the fabric. Well, my eyes aren't what they used to be and today I was determined to get some gowns cut out. I remembered I had found a magnifying glass that is about the size of a 6 inch ruler. I was able to look thru the lens and line up the line of knit then I placed a longer ruler along side the lens and then placed my folded pattern piece against the ruler. It was so much easier than looking thru my lamp/magnifier and trying to hand stitch some long stitches the length of the fabric to get the grain line.

[LeapFrog Libby]

Sounds like a winner to me.. That is a good lesson to rmember. (for me, I men) I have so many piecesof hat stuff I bought at Wal Mat long time ago. Most of It is not useful, but I just hate to throw it away. Goes against my upbringing to throw away something that is not trash.. My Mom would not like it.. LOL..