Good morning Cuties, I need some advice, or your expertise. Has anyone ever sewn, a cotton fabric skirt, to a tee shirt? The skirt is not made. I am attaching cotton fabric, to the tee-shirt, for a skirt. I would think you gather the cotton, to fit the tee, and sew with a ------ stitch? Slight zizzag or stretch stitch? HELP! or do you do it some other way?? After I baste to top where I want it , can I serge/overlock the seam top to skirt, with Maxi Lock thread? I am afraid I don't know enough about my serger and serger threads. I know they have more than the Maxi-Lock, but that's all I have for it. Martine where are you?-lol- I know you are asleep in your part of the world. I can wait.......

Toogie, did you use your serger, a zig zag stitch or a stretch stitch for the tee shirt dress?

1 comment

by toogie edited 27 Jun 2015

Hi Nancy, I used a slight zig-zag. I am still debating whether to use the serger, and cut the rest of the top off, in the process. I only had to go about 3 inches from the hem. By leaving that little bit, it wants to hug her diaper and I think that it helps-I'm not sure. It would look better inside to cut it, and I like my insides clean, but I don't want the seam to 'wave' where it hangs together.

I made a couple of these a few years ago. I cut the skirt 1 1/2 times larger for the gather. Sew the sides, baste at the top ( I know it's a pain but worth the trouble) Try it on. Then you can either serge or zig zag. stitch. Good luck. Gauze fabric looks great for the summer, too

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by toogie 26 Jun 2015

Thanks I tried it on a while ago, for the hem so maybe can get it finished.

As the previous post stated, small zig zag and if you don't want clear elastic then some "seams great" (real product) to prevent the stretching. Yes, your serger can use maxi lock, it is a serger thread. I haven't made one of these in 20+ years.

2 comments

by toogie 26 Jun 2015

Yes, I know Maxi Lock is my serger thread, that is what I generally use. I thought with knits, like tee shirt fabrics, you had to use a wooly type thread, or something, besides the Maxi Lock.

by Smokey12 27 Jun 2015

The maxi lock won't give the stretch on the knit like the wooly nylon will. The cotton on the bottom of the knit will act as the stabilizer for the maxi if you choose to use it. Also, the wooly will be softer.

I made quite a few of these when my girls were little. I gathered and used just a slight zigzag stitch. My stretch stitch was /is so slow. Today with about 25 more years of sewing under my belt I this I would also reinforce the seam with clear elastic. That way the skirt won't stretch out the t-shirt. Oh yes I also top stitched the skirt to the t-shirt so active little girls wouldn't rip the skirt off the top. lol Becky

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by toogie 26 Jun 2015

Where I am attaching is about the hip, like a drop waist, so I don't want to use any elastic but I will stitch with a zigzag or stretch stitch. I will see what works best, now that I can get back to it. I have been sewing patches, on ball uniforms, for my grandson and another boy. Also their numbers didn't come on their hats this time, so I emb his number..... Now back to the skirt and getting the ink out of the tee-shirt.

You might want to use a stabilize on tee shirt fabric where you are attaching the skirt. You could use a wash away fusible or use fusible interfacing. I agree with the slight zigzag stitch or stretch stitch. Hope this helps.

1 comment

by toogie 26 Jun 2015

Thanks

hi there i am always very carefull not to strech t shirt while sewing on to cotton and i do use a stretch stitch specialy if it is made for kids good luck and enjoy

1 comment

by toogie 26 Jun 2015

That's what I thought-thanks!