Sewing with Cotton/Spandex

[Amelia]

Seeming I have a bit of time on my hands at the moment, I was wanting to make some belly bands for me to wear in summer while breast feeding and some like bandeau's(sp?) for underneath some of my summer tops.

I am quiet handy with a sewing machine and overlocker but have never sown with this type of fabric before, so my questions for those of you who have sown with this fabric are:
~ Do I stretch the fabric as I put it through the overlocker and sewing machine??
~ I was thinking of putting a good quality elastic in the top of them to keep them up, but should I put some in the bottom of them as well??

I know I will think of more later but that is it for now.

Thanks Ladies....

[castle]

What a great idea. Just treat it like any other knit. Be sure to use a Schmetz "Stretch" needle (not a ballpoint--I've found the 'stretch' ones are usually better). You need that because you want the needle tip to pass over the spandex fibres, not pierce them. The overlocker is ideal for sewing it. Put the stretch needle in there too. Don't stretch the fabric unless you are using a sewing machine without zigzag capability. Like my mum's old one that just does a straight stitch!!
I would try the elastic in top & bottom. What kind are you thinking of using? The kind with one fuzzy side so that the fuzzy side touches your skin (like on boxer shorts or some pyjamas) or inserted into a casing, or just applied to one edge & then folded over and stitched in place? Whew--so many options! Why don't you try making a couple of bands and see what works?

[Amelia]

I was thinking of putting the elastic in the hems cause it always irritates my skin.

[Amelia]

Anyone else have any good tips for me??

[Jodie259]

- don't stretch the fabric through an overlocker as it will not 'bounce' back... it will stay stretched out.
- when using a standard sewing machine - use a zigzag stitch and don't stretch the fabric when sewing. Then when it is finished you can stretch the fabric and the zigzags expand
- best to use a 'stretch' needle.
- choice is yours for the elastic. If you want a tight, rounded fit - then I would put elastic at the bottom too. If you want it to look like a t-shirt and hang down at the front - then don't put elastic.

- last pregnancy I just bought some ribbing (black, white & grey) and just overlocked the edges. It was terrific because it already fit around my stomach and didn't need a seam or elastic (it's comes like a tube of fabric if that makes sense.) I just overlocked/hemmed the ends.

[Amelia]

Oh thanks Jodie....I will look at the ribbing tomorrow when I go to spotlight!!