should i buy a sewing machine?

[mdog182]

I want to dabble in making sweaters/apparel this summer but I absolutely loathe seaming. I am just not any good at it. I've been thinking about investing in a sewing machine to solve this problem but I don't know how to use one so I would also have to learn how to do that. What my question is, is if I should go through the trouble of buying and learning how to use a sewing machine or if I should just suck it up and learn how to do the seaming techniques? Those of you who make sweaters and such, do you own sewing machines? Are they easier to use than to manually seam up the sides?

[misstialouise]

Suck it up and do the seaming...

I really think that you don't get the full effect of a handknitted sweater if you machine the seams... I really think it hangs better when hand done.

[Jan in CA]

I agree. Machine knit seams seem like like cheating somehow if someone is going to pay for a hand-knit item. I sew, but would never machine the seams.

[zkimom]

I hated seaming until someone posted this link:

Seaming Tutorial

Now my seams look lovely and I don't mind doing them as much.

I still hate weaving in ends though!

Hope this helps!

Susan

[Quiltlady]

I have a wonderful sewing machine but I have to say I never use it for my knitting. I agree with the others. Take the time to learn how to seam and maybe you'll end up enjoying it.

On the other hand, if you bought a sewing machine maybe you'd get interested in learning how to make Quilts or other wonderful things.

[Silver]

On the other hand, if you bought a sewing machine maybe you'd get interested in learning how to make Quilts or other wonderful things.

Yay Quilting!

IMHO, no matter how lovely a sewing machine is, or how wonderful a seamstress you are, a sewing machine should not touch your knitting unless you are steeking, or adding a label.

[meg9]

Some yarn stores offer finishing services, where you can pay them to sew your seams for you if you truly truly hate it.

But I agree, a sewing machine isn't really the best way to sew those handknit sweaters together.

I've had good luck with a different technique that kind of tricks me into seaming the side seams.

The right sides are facing each other, the needle goes through both layers in the top row of stitches, and I pick up stitches all along the edge, then I knit the row and bind off all of the stitches on the way back.

It's SUCH a cheat that the knitting fairy will probably come down and slap me one day, but it's worked great on a half dozen tops so far, and it's so much quicker than mattress stitch for me!!!

Meg

[mwedzi]

I've read of people sewing their hand knit sweaters up with a sewing machine. I don't know if this will really have that bad of an effect. I mean, aren't many store-bought sweaters put together this way? I think it would at least be worth a try, and if you don't like it, you can always rip that seam out, right? I heard about the sewing together by a machine on another forum, though. I don't know if anyone on this forum has actually tried it.

Edited to add:
Okay, guess you can't undo it! Anyway, found a link for you:
http://knittersreview.com/forum/topi...TOPIC_ID=74981

[KnittingNat]

I agree with the others about separating your sewing and knitting. I own a great Husqvarna sewing machine and i never use it for seaming the knitting i do. Besides, from what i learned while trying to sew, is that textures like knitted fabric are harder to handle than just cotton or anything else, so if you're not experienced in sewing, i would stick to the old technique. Find some way you prefer and do it well. I can't do the back stitch properly, so i do the matress and it looks great.

Good luck!

[mdog182]

thanks so much for all the feedback guys! ok, i think i'll practice some more with seaming.....maybe the sewing machine will come later when i want to learn about new crafts!