How to sew with a twin needle
Sewing with knits doesn’t have to be scary!
You can achieve professional looking results on the hems of your knit garments by using a twin needle and your home sewing machine.
No extra equipment required!
What is a twin needle?
(Also called Double Pointed Needles) are 2 needles on one shank and are used to hem stretch/knit fabrics with a professional finish.
Tips and tricks for sewing with a twin needle
- Be sure to use a foot that has a wide enough hole for the two needles. An all purpose foot or zig zag foot should work with most twin needles.
- Test on a scrap piece of fabric before sewing your garment. Sometimes the tension of your machine will need to be adjusted so that your two stitch lines do not ripple or put gathers in your project.
- Use a slightly bigger stitch length than normal.
- NOTE: when using twin needles you will be sewing your hems with the FINISHED or right side up. The back side will have a small zig zag when completed.
How to thread your sewing machine with a twin needle
- Insert the needle and tighten as you normally would with a regular sewing needle.
- Make sure your presser foot’s opening is large enough for the needles to go through.
- Thread your bobbin as you normally would (Check you manual if needed).
- Thread your machine like normal. (See manual) and pull the thread through the right needle
- Find the 2nd spool holder on your machine. Location may vary based on your machine. If you do not have one you can get creative! Tape a wooden dowel to the back of your machine or you can sometimes use the bobbin winder. Your machine’s manual may have information on where a 2nd spool can go.
- Thread the machine again with the 2nd spool of thread, following the same path as the first thread. This thread goes into the left needle.
- Test your stitches on a scrap piece of fabric.
Thread one in Pink. Thread Two in Green. Thread bobbin as normal.
Want to learn how to sew knits the easy way?
What this kit includes:
-Full color instruction package with illustrated steps.
-print of the knit pattern in sizes XS-5XL (Women’s US sizes)
– Access to the downloadable digital version of this pattern (instruction PDF, PDF tile print, AO Print and projector files of the kinit AND woven pattern pieces)
-Enough fabric (Cotton spandex jersey) for one pair of shorts. Please indicate fabric print and size range* at checkout)
-Matching thread
-Twin needle and universal needle
-“Handmade by me” tag
-a little extra gift!
