Are you ready to learn more about stitching a t-shirt with a serger? Recently, I demonstrated the fast, flat method for serging a T-shirt on the Sewing Machines Plus Sew Fest GRAND FINALE Friday show. You can CLICK HERE to watch my one hour long serger segment on the SMP YouTube channel.

Using the Brother Airflow 3000 serger, I stitched the shirt from start to finish in less than one hour! You can too, if you're familiar with the basics on your own serger model and follow my instructions.

I stitched the hem of the sleeves and the bottom using a blind hem foot for the serger and a stitch called a flatlock stitch. Take a look at the serger blind hem foot below. If this was not included with your machine, chances are you can purchase one as an optional accessory.

Here's what it should look like on the bottom side:

The "V" shaped stitch you see is formed by the loose needle thread. This is essential for allowing the stitch to be pulled flat. I used contrasting thread so you could readily see what it looks like but of course you would want to match your fabric as close as possible. Here is what the finished hem looks like on the outside of the T-Shirt:

And here is what it looks like on the wrong side:

You can follow all the steps for constructing the T-Shirt found in the tutorial HERE.

During the show I showed how my hem was stabilized prior to stitching with a strip of fusible interfacing. I cut one inch wide strips of tricot knit type interfacing, cutting them along the "stretchiest" grain of the interfacing.

Links to my favorite "knit interfacings are as follows:
Pellon SK135 - Fusible lightweight tricot with crosswise stretch and no stretch lengthwise. 
Pellon EK130 – Fusible, standard weight tricot. Same characteristics and use as above.
Pellon 460 - Very lightweight knit stabilizer with multi-directional stretch. (My favorite)

I fuse these strips to my knit hems, then turn up and press the one inch hem before hemming. This works well for hems that are topstitched with a twin needle, cover-hem machine, a stretch stitch on your machine, or the serger style blind hem.

Below are pictures of an alternative T-Shirt hem with the hem stabilized with fusible tricot then stitched using a stitch on my machine that is not only pretty but has a bit of stretch. Note: Be sure to use a stretch needle size 11 for sewing knits on your sewing machine.

You can watch a video with more details for using this method, along with an alternative idea for stitching a neckline on a knit T-Shirt HERE on my YouTube Channel. This technique adds an elegant touch to a knit top! This video also includes tips for sewing a knit top on your standard sewing machine.

For the Sewing Machines Plus show, I used Jalie pattern 2805.

The 1/4-inch seam allowance included in this pattern makes it ideal for stitching with the serger. Take care to find fabric that meets the stretch requirements for this pattern. I always try to make a test garment when using a new pattern. Once I perfect the fit, I'm likely to use it over and over again so I transfer my perfected pattern to pattern transfer cloth such as Swedish Tracing Cloth, or Pellon 830 Easy Pattern.

For sizing my tiral garment, I like to pick my size using the measurements closest to my body, then add additional seam allowance so I have a total of 1-inch for side seams and corresponding sleeve seams, then I baste the seam at the one inch seamline, try on and adjust as necessary. That additional seam allowance can make or break the project as it's easier to take in that it sometimes is to let out a seam.

I hope this gives you some inspriation to make your own knit T-Top! If you'd like more serger sewing inspiration, check out this former live Q&A show titled What Can a Serger Do For You? on my YouTube channel HERE.

Oh wait! Just one more link to a serger Do's and Don'ts post. You'll find it HERE on my site.

As always, I welcome your questions and comments!

​This post is an overview of information presented on Sewing Machines Plus Sew Fest 2023. You can CLICK HERE to watch my one hour long Fun with Your Feet segment on the SMP YouTube channel. You'll find all five days of this special broadcast on the SMP channel​.

​Everything you see that is highlighted in blue is a link that will take you to more information. I've packed a lot into this post so sit back and take some time to read, watch, and enjoy!

In this post I'll give you some additional information on each of the six featured embellishment feet shown in the live show, along with more video resources for you to check out on my Let's Go Sew with Joanne Banko YouTube channel. I would be honored if you would consider subscribing to the Let's Go Sew channel. Once you subscribe, click the bell for notifications for future live shows and new videos added to the channel!

Okay, let's get started with the feet, in the order I showed them at the machine during the video. NOTE: Each one is hyperlinked with the bold blue lettering so you can click directly on the part number to view the foot on the Brother site.

Generally, these feet are not included as standard accessories with the purchase of a Brother machine. They do work with the vast majority of Brother machine with a 7mm  throat plate opening. These are optional accessories and are not engraved with a letter like most included feet. 

For other brands, your machine accessory package may be different. Check with your machine manufacturer to see if there are similar feet for your machine, comparing them by the name of the foot and the image of the foot itself.

As you saw in the presentation, this foot is one of my favorites for the ultimate in accuracy! Whether you're stitching on an edge or using the foot to join pieces together, the edge guide keeps you on track and makes your finished stitching look flawless!

​CLICK HERE to watch a short video showing how to stitch silk ribbon to a pashmina, with designs from my Wrapped in Embroidery book. You'll find downloadable instructions for this project HERE.

For craft and general home decor project I use polyester satin ribbon or grossgrain ribbon. In particular, grossgrain ribbon is very durable and highly washable.

For special projects like the pashminas that need to drape, I use silk ribbon and have sucessfully washed it with delicate handling. Here is a resouce for the silk ribbon:https://www.mjtrim.com/ribbons-jacquards/silk

Craft pearls on a string are generally available in 3-5mm width, perfect for sliding under the foot. Adding a string of pearls by machine gives such a special look to the simplest of projects! Making a simple fabric gift bag and adding pearls to the top edge makes the bag a "keeper" and worthy of any precious gift you wish to give.

CLICK HERE to watch a short video with more ideas and information for sewing pearls and sequins with this foot.

CLICK HERE to view instructions for the gift bag with pearl trim.

​Once again, this foot gives you options for stitching with your desired amount of cords, anywhere from one to five! Designed for thinner cording, use a dental floss threader to guide cords into the slot.

I used this foot for a cute swimsuit cover-up in an archived post on the Brother blog. You can view the instructions when you CLICK HERE.

I have used this foot a ton over the years! With three slots you have so much versatility, and this foot allows for a variety of cording weights. Remember, if the cord slides into the slot of the foot and slips back and forth easily, it is fair game to try with this foot!

​CLICK HERE  to watch a short video with more ideas and information for using this foot to add corded embellishment.

I've literally been using this foot for years! It may very well be one of the first embellishment feet I ever purchased.

The opening on this foot is adjustable to fit a variety of widths of cord, ribbon, and trim up to 1/4-inch wide. I like to use 1/4-inch bias trim with this foot. There are so many possibilities with this foot! 

Yes indeed! This is another one of my favorites! This foot was specifically designed for use with Candlewicking stitches developed for the Brother machines. Take a look at the beautiful decorative candlewicking stitches on the  pillow below, with rose embroidery designs added from my Just Jackets embroidery design collection:

CLICK HERE to see how to use the My Custom Stitch feature found on many Brother machines to create your own candlewicking stitch.

​Samples were stitched on blue medium weight linen. Any medium weight woven fabric is good for stitching these samples. I just happen to have a remnant leftover and the blue shows up well on camera.

Be sure to stabilize fabric that is not firm in and of itself. I use a tear away if the wrong side will not show, carefully tearing away the excess when my stitching is complete. Stay Perfect Tear Away stabilizer from Sewing Machines Plus is an ideal choice: https://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/stayperfect-precut-medium-tearaway.php 

Wash away stabilizer is another option when you need to be able to remove the stabilizer completely. Always test your combination before using on your actual project.

If your project allows for it, you can leave a little extra trim at each end and trim excess when you're finished stitching.

I did get some questions about needles and thread. Here are some tips: If my fabric or trim is shiny I use polyester embroidery thread. If I want my stitch to “disappear” I use good quality monofilament thread, clear (for lights), or smoke (for darks). Sewing machine shops will likely carry the best brand of monofilament so check there for availability first. I have also used Sulky Find .004 Soft monofilament on the 2,200 yard spool. Smaller spools tend to kink more so I prefer the larger ones. You may want to decrease the needle tension 1 number or so when using monofilament. A size 11-14 Top-stitch needle works best for monofilament thread. In addition, it is not recommended to use an automatic needle threader with monofilament.

Most often, I use an embroidery needle (size 11), with embroidery thread. Other times, I will match my needle type and size to the fabric I am stitching on, i.e. Jeans needle for denim, topstitch, micortex, or quilting needle when I need a sharp needle. For a full tutorial on selecting needles, visit my YouTube channel where I interviewed Rhonda Pierce, the needle expert from Schmetz Needle Co: CLICK HERE

I welcome any additional comments or questions you might have! Please leave them below.