Creative articles about sewing

Sew a T-shirt with elastic thread.

No overlock – no coverlock – no twin needles? You can work with stretch fabric with the new thread Mettler Seraflex. Sew a T-shirt with elastic thread.

I noticed the announcement and want to test it.

So here we go!

What do I need to sew a T-shirt with elastic thread?

  • A good T-shirt pattern
  • Stretch fabric
  • Mettler Seraflex thread in the right colour, for bobbin and spool.
  • My BERNINA 710
  • A jersey machine needle

Let’s start the T-shirt:

I cut out the pattern and take marks for darts and sleeve top.

I sew the darts, the sleeve seam, one shoulder seam and the backseam. While sewing, I stretch the fabric a little.

And I like the result:

Next, I need a 3,5 cm wide tape, to fold in two. This must be sewn to the neckline.

A standard length for the tape is about 80%, depending on the kind of stretch fabric you use. Be sure to cut it a little longer, in case you need to redo it and it could be too short.

Do not stretch the tape equally along the neckline. Watch the shirt: the more straight the part of the neckline, the less you need to stretch. The more curved the part you’re working on, the more you are stretching. This is especially the part in the middle front of the shirt. I pin both parts together and keep a seam allowance of 0,7 cm.

And I start sewing the tape to the shirt. I take the open embroideryfoot 20 and guide it along the side.

After sewing and checking, I topstitch the seam with the edgefoot nr 10 .

Now it’s time to close the other shoulder seam.

Next I sew the sleeves and I finish with the bottom seam and sleeve seams.

I fold the seam over and sew two parallel lines.

Ready and as promised: no overlock – no coverlock – no twin needles!

Oh, how I like a colourful shirt, I can take it to work on fresh spring days.

Free sewing tutorial: Sew T-Shirt with elastic thread

Difficulty level: Beginner
Time to Complete: Evening
Used Material: Cotton jersey, Mettler Seraflex elastic thread
Used Products:
BERNINA 710
BERNINA 710
Reverse Pattern Foot #1
Reverse Pattern Foot #1
Edgestitch Foot #10
Edgestitch Foot #10
Open Embroidery Foot #20
Open Embroidery Foot #20

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    • Bea Callemeyn EditEditing comments on the BERNINA blog is only possible after logging in with a blog user account. Sign up now or create a user account if you do not have one yet.

      Hi Connie, on the site of the Amann-Mettler-group, there is a searchfunction to find dealers worldwide. I hope it can help you. Some deales have webshops too. Good luck!

  • Marian Capper EditEditing comments on the BERNINA blog is only possible after logging in with a blog user account. Sign up now or create a user account if you do not have one yet.

    I’ve never used stretch fabric on my 770QE . I gave lots in my stash but I’m confused re which stitch to use . Obviously I need a stitch that you stretch with the fabric . Thanks

  • tlhorton EditEditing comments on the BERNINA blog is only possible after logging in with a blog user account. Sign up now or create a user account if you do not have one yet.

    Good info; thanks for sharing.  Looking forward to using the Mettler Seraflex thread on knits when it becomes available in the US, or find an international friend who’s willing to ship to Texas.  So far, none of the vendors that work with my Bernina dealer are aware of it.

    • Bea Callemeyn EditEditing comments on the BERNINA blog is only possible after logging in with a blog user account. Sign up now or create a user account if you do not have one yet.

      Hi Barbara, if you visit Amann Mettler’s site, you can ‘search for dealer’ and enter your state in the USA. I suppose you could contact your dealer for ordering. Succes!

  • Sophie Robert EditEditing comments on the BERNINA blog is only possible after logging in with a blog user account. Sign up now or create a user account if you do not have one yet.

    “En vervolgens ga ik stikken. Hierbij gebruik ik de open borduurvoet 20 en geleid de stof langs de rand van de voet.” => What does it mean?

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