Stretch knit tension problems?

I’m sewing a dress made out of stretch knit fabrics. The sides are bundling up like the tension is too tight or something. So I loosened the tension, and it’s still doing the same thing! I’m not stretching the fabric, I’m sewing it like normally. The top part of the dress seams on the side are turning out good & straight, but when it starts to get close to the bottom of the dress, that’s when the seam starts bundling up, like it’s bad tension or something. I’m using the same tension from the top of the dress to the bottom, so why is it happening when it gets closer to the bottom of the dress? (it starts from the hip area to the bottom hem of the dress) What else could there be? Any tips? I’m running out of time, may someone please help a sista out?
PS. i’m trying different tension adjustments, and the all come out the same

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR THE HELP!

Any chance of a photo of the seam? I’m not sure what you mean about “bundling up”. Is it puckering?
See: http://www.wireworld.com/amefird/seam_puckering_bulletin.html

Is this happening only on near-bias areas?

Are you using the correct needle for the fabric? Probably a ballpoint, or perhaps a Schmetz Stretch needle.

Was the bobbin wound slowly? (Varying the bobbin speed while winding or winding fast can stretch the thread on the bobbin, giving uneven seam tension.)

What stitch are you using? Try a narrow zigzag on scraps in the grainline orientation that’s giving you trouble.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 12th, 2011 at 1:12 am and is filed under Arts and Crafts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.