Cutting Knit Fabrics: 6 Game-Changing Tips

Have you struggled cutting knits? Perhaps finding it hard to cut the pieces evenly, get stripes to match or maybe struggling to align the grainline properly to prevent the garment from looking twisted?

In this video I will the best tricks and simple methods for cutting knits.

How To Cut and Sew Striped Knits:

Sewing With Knits Tutorials:

Topics covered:

1. Cut from the right side
2. How to tell right side from wrong side on knits
3. Follow the rib or weft, not the "selvedge"
4. Don't let the knit fabric hang off the table
5. Tools for cutting knits
6. Cutting knits as a single layer
7. How to find the grainline on knits
8. Use pattern weights or pin sparingly 

What I wear in the video:

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[carylwainscott]

Thanks for sharing your tips, especially about not using the 'selvedge' to measure. Sometimes to locate the grainline I will pull out my phone and choose the zoom setting. I almost always have my phone close by.

[nancynewlin]

The Kai scissors are phenomenally sharp.

[kathybrigger]

Awesome video. I have a beautiful serger that I only use on edges and hems. I have been totally intimidated by knit and I have been sewing 65 years. I think I am going to give it a go. I am going to watch several of your videos. You are a good teacher. Thank you for sharing.

[sometimessheflys]

This is the second video I've watched after finding your channel, and I immediately subscribed as you don't miss anything and have the greatest tips with easy-to-follow and easy-to-understand instructions! Thank you!

[skywatcher]

Thank you for those simple but effective tips on handling knits fabrics. Appreciated

[mainredcat]

When locating the grainline, your advice to follow the rib and don't assume the fabric was cut straight was very eye-opening to me. I always had assumed the edge was straight and I didn't understand why the grain was often so far off on my cut pieces. Now I know! Thank you so much for this very helpful information.

[SherylFZsmom]

Thank you for these tips. My favorite and most helpful to me was how to place my pattern on the fabric and lining up the grainline. This is one of the reasons I haven't started with my pattern yet. This is so much easier.

[marvelx]

Oh I love the idea of placing tape on one side of the fabric!! I get into trouble once I am into my project of knowing which is right side with some fabrics. A small piece of tape will help fix that problem.

[amyeklund]

Thank you for these tips! Stone coasters work pretty well for pattern weights.

[melissawest]

As always, super efficient and awesome coverage on knits. Thanks so much.

[robyn]

Thank you! I bought ten yards of a sweater knit in hopes of a warm and cozy capsule, these tips will be used!

[yume]

Love your video! it's so educational! I bought a big roll of textured drape fabric which doesn't stretch but shifts in shape, if that makes any sense. It is good to learn about folding the grainline and using tape to mark the right/wrong side! I made this mistake yesterday and cut two of the same side.

[janiewarre]

I love your instructions. You have been so helpful

[sarag]

I'm off to make a copy of my top. Thanks!

[laurajones]

Johanna, thanks for these great tips!

[MaikoZafiro]

I am so glad this video has led me to your channel! You're a brilliant instructor. I'm somewhat excited to cut some stretchy jerseys now... Not sure how long it will last, LOL, at least until I get plenty more practice under my belt. :)

[Widespread-Panic]

I'm about to embark on my first dress for myself, and I've spent more money than anyone ought to spend when making their first dress. Because I'm difficult like that. I'd hate to waste all that money. My husband would hate it even more! Thank you so much for your tips.

[mrsbrzmaria]

I received my first coverstitch Janome coverpro 3000, today and I bought at amazon now, your book too :) I will get it tomorrow. Im using Kai scissors for ages, and they are best for me. This monster Kai, which you use in your video, I bough some time ago from Japan, because of lower price if purchased from Japan, than in UK. I love Kai scissors even more, because my grandson name is also KAI :) Can you recommend any very good rotary cutter ? I have fiskars, but maybe wrong one, because it is not as easy to use, like I see at your video. Thank you for another amazing video. Now I must learn basic at my new machine, but Im partly prepared, because of practical info from you and few other for beginners you tube videos, . Thank you very much Johanna 👍

[JohannesJunkJournalLife]

I am cutting tiny pcs to make action figure clothes and wish I could find a way to hold it down. I was thinking of using starch

[lizlisle]

Finally received my Eivy cardigan A0 pattern so I'll be bearing your tips in mind when I'm cutting out. I've also ordered a new rotary cutter that should arrive tomorrow. My sewjo went AWOL but the Eivy will fetch it back, I hope.