So you're ready to dive into the wonderful world of quilting with knit fabric? Fantastic! Knit fabric offers a unique softness and drape that can create stunning quilts, but it does present some special challenges. This guide provides simple tips to help you successfully quilt with knit and achieve beautiful results.
Understanding the Challenges of Quilting Knit Fabric
Knit fabric, unlike woven fabrics, is made of interlocking loops of yarn. This gives it its characteristic stretch and flexibility. However, this stretch can be a double-edged sword when quilting. Here's what to expect:
- Stretching and Distortion: The most significant challenge is preventing the knit fabric from stretching and distorting during the quilting process. This can lead to uneven seams and a wonky finished quilt.
- Needles and Thread: Knit fabric requires special attention to needle and thread selection. The wrong needle can snag or damage the delicate loops.
- Finishing: Knit fabrics can fray easily, so careful attention to finishing techniques is crucial.
Essential Tips for Quilting Knit Fabric
Here are some simple yet effective tips to master quilting with knit fabric:
1. Pre-wash and Pre-shrink Your Fabric
Always pre-wash and dry your knit fabric before starting your project. This prevents shrinkage after the quilt is completed, ensuring its longevity and maintaining its shape.
2. Choose the Right Needle
Use a ballpoint needle or a microtex needle designed for knits. These needles are designed to glide between the loops of the fabric without catching or damaging them. The needle size should be appropriate for your thread weight.
3. Select the Appropriate Thread
Use a high-quality, lightweight thread that is appropriate for the weight of your knit fabric. Avoid heavy threads, as they can pull and distort the knit fabric. A thread designed for sewing knits is often a good choice.
4. Stabilize Your Fabric
Consider using a lightweight stabilizer, such as a lightweight fusible interfacing or a wash-away stabilizer, to reduce stretching during quilting. Apply the stabilizer to the back of the knit fabric before quilting. This adds body and reduces the likelihood of distortion.
5. Use a Walking Foot or Even Feed Foot
A walking foot or even feed foot on your sewing machine helps feed both layers of fabric evenly, preventing one layer from slipping or stretching more than the other. This is crucial for preventing puckering and creating straight seams.
6. Quilt with Shorter Stitches
Quilt with shorter stitches than you would typically use for woven fabric. Shorter stitches provide better control and help keep the knit fabric from stretching.
7. Use a Test Piece
Always create a test piece before starting your main project. This allows you to experiment with different needles, threads, stabilizers, and stitch lengths to find what works best for your chosen knit fabric.
8. Hand-Quilting as an Alternative
For smaller projects or if you want a more delicate result, hand-quilting can be a great alternative. Hand quilting gives you greater control over the fabric and prevents stretching.
9. Finish Edges Carefully
Knit fabric can fray easily. Use a serger, zig-zag stitch, or bias binding to finish the edges of your quilt pieces before assembling them to prevent fraying and maintain a neat appearance.
10. Practice Makes Perfect!
Like any quilting technique, working with knit fabric requires practice. Don't get discouraged if your first attempt isn't perfect. With each project, your skills will improve, and you'll discover new techniques and preferences.
By following these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating beautiful, soft, and unique quilts using knit fabric. Remember to enjoy the process and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful with your own hands!
