infryq

Yesterday involved cutting about a dozen little 7" samples of fabric and elastic and experimenting. Results:

Knit on bottom: better!
Completely letting go of the knit and stretching the elastic independently: Better!
Longer zigzag stitch: Ineffective! The fabric failed to feed properly so the stitches just bunched up the same.
Narrower zigzag: Ineffective! This just made the elastic curve funny.
Wider zigzag: Better! Doesn't look as nice though.
Decreased presser foot height: Better! The feed dogs get better purchase.
Receipt paper under the knit: SO MUCH better! Like, perfect levels of better. The zigzags were all their correct length no matter how much I stretched the elastic. Downside: Picking paper out of the finished zigzag stitches is difficult to begin with. I was intending to fold the elastic over and topstitch, which I wouldn't be able to do with the paper in place, and if I remove it first it just goes back to bunching up stitches and lettuce.

So I think my conclusion is, the combination of the lightness of the knit + my very simple sewing machine + my inexperience with knits/elastic means that stabilizing the fabric somehow is going to be my best bet. Lea included a rec for a gelatin solution (or a commercial soluble stabilizer, but I already have gelatin in my house) which I will try sewing on tomorrow once it's dry.

I also received advice on fb to let the elastic relax at the point of contact with the presser foot, which I kind of understand in analogy to woolen spinning, but not in the context of actual physics/calculus (if the elastic is relaxed, then it's its normal length, and if every stitch on the elastic is sewn at its relaxed length then how do I make it fit a longer seamline?). I might try that anyhow for kicks.

I'm not enjoying unpicking zigzag stitch on knits and elastics, regardless.

In other news, I did the Correct Adult Thing and re-ordered protein powder and supplements *before* everything ran out. Small victories!