How do I stop "Sewing up" Tangles

KnitKnot · 05-26-2008, 05:19 AM

I'm just at the stage to sew up a sweater and need help again. I have no problems doing mattress stitch but what I'm finding with set in sleeves there is always a terrible bulk of sewing up yarn that ends up altogether under the arms.
Because I'm a self taught knitter I'm sure I'm missing some trick somewhere that isn't covered in the books.
If I sew the sleeves to the body first, then the sleeve itself, then the side seams, where is the best place to actually start off and to finish the seams so I don't end up with a tangle of yarn under the arms?
If the experienced knitters have some tricks up their sleeves (you usually do!

) then please can you help me?
thanks so much, Jan

gargoylelib · 05-26-2008, 03:59 PM

Hi,

I don't know if this is really a great way to do it but it works for me
and I end up with no bulk under the arms. I take a really long piece
of yarn/thread to sew the seams and start at the top shoulder. Pull
half the length of the yarn through and sew down one side to the under
arm. Go back and take the other half and sew down the other side to
the under arm. There should be two long lengths of yarn there now.
Take one to sew down the arm seam and the other to sew the side
seam. Basically using one piece of yarn to sew the side seam,
around the arm hole and the sleeve seam but starting it at the top
of the shoulder.

Not sure I explained that very well, sorry!
Libbie

KnitKnot · 05-26-2008, 05:55 PM

I just knew there was a super smartie out there with the answer!
I'm definitely going to use this technique. Superb!

ps: just can't help but ask....is your avatar from an episode of Dr Who? If yes, then whatever you do.....DON'T BLINK!!!!!!

Thanks buckets for sending this seaming tip!

cam90066 · 05-26-2008, 06:19 PM

I sew the sleeve cap to the armscye (two tails). The actual sleeve has one tail, the side seam one tail. Four tails. I weave the sleeve tail back down into the sleeve seam, same with the side seam. I weave each sleeve cap tail backwards into the seam of the cap. No bulk and if I need, for some reason, to unweave one it frees up that particular area w/o impacting anything else.

I like gargoyle's idea, in theory, but have tried working with long pieces of yarn for seaming and found it wants to fray/break from all the sewing action. And, for whatever reason, I don't seem to be able to seam 'backwards' (back down the cap left to right) so opt to work all my seaming right to left (I get better appearance on RS and tension).

cam

gargoylelib · 05-27-2008, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by KnitKnot

I just knew there was a super smartie out there with the answer!
I'm definitely going to use this technique. Superb!

ps: just can't help but ask....is your avatar from an episode of Dr Who? If yes, then whatever you do.....DON'T BLINK!!!!!!

Thanks buckets for sending this seaming tip!

Hehe, yep my avatar is from Blink. I think possibly the best episode
of any sci-fi series I've watched! Well, I'm a fan of gargoyles so
moving statues was right up my alley haha...

I should mention I've only ever used my method of sewing in sleeves
on children's sized clothes (I make stuf for dd but not for me hehe) and it is generally in super wash wool. I don't know if that makes
any difference but as Cam suggested some fibres might want to
unravel or stretch if there is too much tension on them.

I'm glad I could offer you an idea at least!
Libbie

KnitKnot · 05-27-2008, 09:38 AM

Thanks Cam for this warning about long yarn pieces, I'll keep this in mind if the yarn I'm using is fine but hope to give both methods suggested a try. It's so unsatisfactory to get to the end of a hard worked sweater only to find it comes up all lumpy in the end because of the sewing up.
Gargoylelib, I'm sure I saw that angel moving...... mu ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaah (gulp!)