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While spandex fabric can offer versatility in the pieces you create with it, this elastic material is difficult to sew together without popping a seam or having the stitches pucker. Choosing the right stitch for the task at hand is essential when working with this stretch fabric.

Stitches That Work Well for Spandex Fabric

1. Zigzag Stitch

spandex fabricThis stitch is most common for sewing stretch fabrics like spandex. Its namesake structure allows the seam to stretch without popping a stitch. While not the most reliable option of the ones on this list, you can usually find it on even the most basic sewing machine settings, which makes it a convenient choice for beginners. To get the best outcome from this stitch, always backstitch at the beginning and end of every seam for security.

2. Overcast Stitch

Also known as the “knit” stitch, overcast stitches offer a clean seamline and a wider stitch. With a pyramid structure, the thread goes to the edge of the fabric for clean, finished edges and a straight stitch at the base for more strength. You will need an overcasting foot to use this stitch, which has an edge guide to keep your sewing straight as you run it through the machine.

3. Triple Stitch

Physically, this stitch looks like a straight stitch, but each one is sewn three times to allow for more stretch. It works well for seams that need to look clean and maintain their strength, and it’s a strong choice for hemming and topstitching spandex fabric. The downsides to a triple stitch, however, are that it’s hard to remove when you mess up, and it eats through thread very quickly.

4. Triple Zigzag Stitch

You’ve probably encountered this stitch on elastic and underwear. Otherwise called the “Tricot” stitch, it mimics the zigzag stitch with three tiny straight stitches in each direction. The triple zigzag works best for topstitching places that need a lot of stretch, but they’re not ideal for seams.

5. Lightning Stitch

You won’t find this option on all sewing machines, but it can offer the give of a zigzag stitch with a tighter seam. The lightning stitch looks similar to the zigzag except the stitches are more angled, giving it that namesake shape and allowing spandex fabric to stretch without sacrificing a clean seam.

6. Serger

If you have a serger, odds are you’re already a seasoned sewer looking to streamline your process. This machine uses three, four, or five threads to sew a seam and trims off the raw excess fabric to leave clean, finished edges. 3-thread stitching allows you the option of a narrow or wide stitch, but 4-thread gives you extra security from a popped seam if you’re sewing a piece that requires tight spandex.

 

When sewing with spandex fabric, you want to work with the highest quality materials, like the ones you’ll find at Spandex House, Inc. Based in New York’s iconic Garment District, we are proud to be the world’s largest spandex supplier. With over 25 years in the industry, our team can guarantee we will help you find the right stretch fabric for your project. To place an order with us, call today at https://live-core-image-service.vivialplatform.net/images/555371/orig/s.aZlGNC25B.gif(212) 354-6711 or shop on our website.

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