Puckering seams and stitching lines can make a garment or other sewing project look unprofessional. ZJ Humbach gives you several tips and advice on how to keep seam puckering to a minimum.
Test Before you Sew your Project
The first recommendation that ZJ has to keep seam puckering from happening is always testing your stitching first. She explains that it is always a good idea to have a small test sample of the exact combination of what you will be stitching- the same amount of fabric layers, interfacing if used, thread, and needle types. This way you are able to essentially see what your stitching is going to look like on your project before you stitch it.
Loosen the Needle Tension
If you have seam puckering, ZJ offers several possible solutions. The first thing that can cause seam puckering is tension. ZJ recommends loosening the needle tension on your machine and trying the line of stitching on your test sample again. It is always a good idea to retest the stitching after every adjustment made, that way you know what fixed the issue.
Needle/Thread Type
If the tension is not what is causing the seam puckering, another cause could be the needle being used is too dull or not the right type, the thread being used is not the right type for the fabric being stitched, or that you are simply stitching too fast.
Lengthening the Stitch Length
Another tip that ZJ shares that can help seams look better and lay flatter are to slightly lengthen the stitch length.
Stablilize the Seam
If all of these solutions are still not fixing your seam puckering problem, another solution is to stabilize the seam before you stitch. This can be done with a variety of different products, and the method you choose to use will depend on the project being sewn and the fabric being used.
Really useful sewing tip presentation, but absolutely no need to mention seeking support from a husband before buying s new sewing machine. This is the 21st century. Women are not children and perfectly capable of judging when to spend money wisely 🙄
If I missed your mention of this, my apologies. I've learned that sometimes adjusting the presser foot pressure setting up or down a little will help prevent puckering, but it may depend upon the individual machine.
I did find this information useful. Could you also talk about sewing on knits? I have done a zigzag for the hem, and the stitches popped! I had a stretch needle, with a fairly long stitch.
By sewing at a biased angle, the needle displaces different sets of wrap and weft yarns, thereby significantly reducing the incidence of pucker. Opt for finer needle and thread
thread
Sewing threads are special kinds of yarns that are engineered and designed to pass through a sewing machine rapidly. They form efficient stitches without breaking or becoming distorted during the useful life of the product. The basic function of a thread is to deliver aesthetics and performance in stitches and seams.
This symmetrical pucker to the left and right of the seam is caused by tension, and it is remedied by clipping the thread in between the neighbouring needle penetrations.
Correct sewing machine settings and tension are crucial for preventing puckering. In general, use a shorter stitch length for lightweight fabrics and a longer stitch length for heavier fabrics. Zig-zag ( or any type of lateral) stitches are more likely to cause fabric puckers.
Ironing seams flat helps to make your sewn project look more finished, smooths out puckers and sets the stitches so that they become integral to the fabric.
This is called a vitreous detachment and it happens to everyone as they get older. In some people, a membrane forms on the surface of the retina. This membrane can create wrinkles or “puckers.” If the membrane forms over a part of the retina called the macula, it can cause a macular pucker.
Seam puckering is more prevalent on very tightly woven fabrics because the yarns are oriented in very tight layers that cannot shift easily to compensate for the thread as it is inserted into the seam. This causes these tight yarns in the fabric to draw up giving a rippled appearance along the seam line.
Use the hand wheel to sink the needle down into the fabric, then lift the presser foot and pivot the fabric slightly before putting the foot back down as you sew. Any time you see the fabric bunching too much around the presser foot as you sew curved seams, lift the foot so the fabric relaxes. Then continue sewing.
Cotton thread used to sew synthetic fabrics can also cause puckering, as the cotton shrinks. Cure: It may be irreversible, but try steam-ironing the garment while still damp and carefully pulling the offending layers back into shape. Prevention: Dry-clean items or wash in cool water to prevent shrinking.
A straight stitch is a most commonly used stitch for almost all construction sewing. A straight stitch is a strong stitch that's straight with a thread on top (the upper thread) and a thread on the bottom (the bobbin thread), with the threads interlocking at regular intervals.
Instead, try the Ladder or Slip Stitch to create an invisible seam between two folded edges, or a folded edge and a flat edge. You can use a this hand stitch for bindings, to close a lining, for the final stitches on a stuffed pillow, or to apply appliqué invisibly.
The first thing that can cause seam puckering is tension. ZJ recommends loosening the needle tension on your machine and trying the line of stitching on your test sample again. It is always a good idea to retest the stitching after every adjustment made, that way you know what fixed the issue.
Wool pressing mats are wonderful for pressing your blocks and getting your seams to lay flat. The wool absorbs the heat from the iron which helps to press the fabric from both sides at the same time! It's also good at keeping your fabric from shifting as you press.
Another time saver so you don't have to leave the machine or use any heat or steam. Simply open the seam (or fold it to one side) and run your finger or fingernail along the seam line, applying some pressure as you go.
Pop some undercover tape over the nasty bits and breathe a sigh of relief! You can use this clever and soft sticky tape to cover up any part of any garment that rubs or causes discomfort. It'll even survive up to 5 washes so you won't have to replace it each time the garment is worn!
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