<p>The key to sewing seams on a t-shirt (or on anything made in a stretchy knit fabric for that matter) is that the stitch needs to be able to stretch just like the fabric stretches.  </p>

<p>Zigzag stitches are often recommended for use if you don't have a serger, but what you really need is a stretch stitch.  And, many modern machines, even less expensive models have a stretch stitch.  If you have icons to show the stitch types on your machine, this is the icon to look for:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/kf4s9.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/kf4s9.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>If your machine doesn't offer this stitch, you might try looking in your owner's manual for information about sewing with knits...it should tell you the best stitch to use on your particular machine.  </p>

<p>If you are used to sewing with woven material (like quilter's cotton), sewing with knits can be a bit challenging because the fabric will stretch while sewing, the edges will roll up, and regular pins and sewing machine needles can cause snags.</p>

<p>Luckily there are tons of tutorials on-line about sewing with knits, so just google "sewing with knits on a sewing machine" and find the tutorial that works best for you.  Here's a couple to get you started <a href="http://www.jenniferlaurenvintage.com/2014/06/sewing-machine-settings-for-knits-if.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.jenniferlaurenvintage.com/2014/06/sewing-machine-settings-for-knits-if.html</a> and <a href="https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/06/knits-without-a-serger" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/06/knits-without-a-serger</a> (at a glance these both look useful, but I haven't read them, so I can't vouch for their accuracy).</p>

<p>BTW--if you can't find your machine's owners manual, I highly recommend searching for a copy on-line. Don't pay for one unless you absolutely can't find it anywhere for free.  Try the manufacturer's website first, and if your particular model is not available, reach out to them and ask for one.  Also, lots of people on the interwebs have been kind enough to scan and upload their manuals and will share them for free.  I like doing this because I can save it somewhere (on my hard drive, in cloud storage, etc.) and I can always track it down again when I inevitably lose the hard copy version.  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-06T23:23:54.900Z
2017-02-06T23:28:57.060Z
2017-02-06T23:28:57.060Z
magerber
<p>If you don't have a "serger" sewing machine try sewing a straight stitch and then zig zag close to the stitch. I use a "ball point" needle used for knits.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-06T19:59:33.723Z
The zigzag is the nearest a normal sewing machine can come to the overlock stitches of a serger, but it is nowhere near the same or as effective. Adding a straight stitch will stop the needed stretch.
Willeke
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-02-06T09:14:11.220Z
2017-02-06T09:14:11.220Z
Beaver
<p>The stitches that you typically see on commercial t-shirt seams are an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overlock">overlock stitch</a>, which typically requires a special type of sewing machine specifically for this purpose (e.g., a serger). </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T21:17:23.953Z
Looking at it... That's a really complicated looking stitch.
Zizouz212
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T20:03:07.427Z
2016-04-28T20:03:07.427Z
Chris Young
<p>I recently decided to take up sewing, but the stitches I use to hold two pieces of fabric together (like the side seams of a shirt for example) is a simple lock stitch. My machine (like most I've seen) has several different styles of stitches but none of them even remotely compare to the stitching I find on commercial grade clothing.</p>

<p>What type of stitch is this? My simple sewing machine stitches are nowhere near as sturdy as the stitching I am used to seeing on clothing.</p>

<p>The best picture I could find online (without knowing what I'm searching for) can be seen in this picture. The stitch holding the sleeve onto the body of the shirt is much fancier than anything my sewing machine seems to offer.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/qRf8X.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/qRf8X.jpg" alt="T-Shirt stiching"></a></p>

<p><sup>Image from <a href="http://www.livelaughlovepin.com/" rel="noreferrer">LoveLaughPin.com</a></sup></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T19:42:41.060Z
Many machines probably do this -- a better question would be "what sort of stitch is this" and then you can find a model which has the stitch you're looking for.
Erica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T19:44:06.330Z
@Erica good point, I fixed the question.
leigero
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-28T19:47:39.143Z
Can you include an image of the stitch you're talking about? That will really help with the identification!
Catija
<sewing>
What kind of stitch makes up t-shirt seams on commercial grade clothing?
leigero
# What kind of stitch makes up t-shirt seams on commercial grade clothing?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-28)

I recently decided to take up sewing, but the stitches I use to hold two pieces of fabric together (like the side seams of a shirt for example) is a simple lock stitch. My machine (like most I've seen) has several different styles of stitches but none of them even remotely compare to the stitching I find on commercial grade clothing.

What type of stitch is this? My simple sewing machine stitches are nowhere near as sturdy as the stitching I am used to seeing on clothing.

The best picture I could find online (without knowing what I'm searching for) can be seen in this picture. The stitch holding the sleeve onto the body of the shirt is much fancier than anything my sewing machine seems to offer.

[![T-Shirt stiching](https://i.sstatic.net/qRf8X.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/qRf8X.jpg)

Image from [LoveLaughPin.com](http://www.livelaughlovepin.com/)

**Tags:** sewing

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Many machines probably do this -- a better question would be "what sort of stitch is this" and then you can find a model which has the stitch you're looking for.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 good point, I fixed the question.  
> **username_2**: Can you include an image of the stitch you're talking about? That will really help with the identification!  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_6 on 2016-04-28. Score: 9 | Accepted answer

The stitches that you typically see on commercial t-shirt seams are an [overlock stitch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overlock), which typically requires a special type of sewing machine specifically for this purpose (e.g., a serger).

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: Looking at it... That's a really complicated looking stitch.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-02-06. Score: 3

The key to sewing seams on a t-shirt (or on anything made in a stretchy knit fabric for that matter) is that the stitch needs to be able to stretch just like the fabric stretches.

Zigzag stitches are often recommended for use if you don't have a serger, but what you really need is a stretch stitch. And, many modern machines, even less expensive models have a stretch stitch. If you have icons to show the stitch types on your machine, this is the icon to look for:
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/kf4s9.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/kf4s9.jpg)

If your machine doesn't offer this stitch, you might try looking in your owner's manual for information about sewing with knits...it should tell you the best stitch to use on your particular machine.

If you are used to sewing with woven material (like quilter's cotton), sewing with knits can be a bit challenging because the fabric will stretch while sewing, the edges will roll up, and regular pins and sewing machine needles can cause snags.

Luckily there are tons of tutorials on-line about sewing with knits, so just google "sewing with knits on a sewing machine" and find the tutorial that works best for you. Here's a couple to get you started <http://www.jenniferlaurenvintage.com/2014/06/sewing-machine-settings-for-knits-if.html> and <https://www.seamwork.com/issues/2015/06/knits-without-a-serger> (at a glance these both look useful, but I haven't read them, so I can't vouch for their accuracy).

BTW--if you can't find your machine's owners manual, I highly recommend searching for a copy on-line. Don't pay for one unless you absolutely can't find it anywhere for free. Try the manufacturer's website first, and if your particular model is not available, reach out to them and ask for one. Also, lots of people on the interwebs have been kind enough to scan and upload their manuals and will share them for free. I like doing this because I can save it somewhere (on my hard drive, in cloud storage, etc.) and I can always track it down again when I inevitably lose the hard copy version.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-02-06. Score: 1

If you don't have a "serger" sewing machine try sewing a straight stitch and then zig zag close to the stitch. I use a "ball point" needle used for knits.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: The zigzag is the nearest a normal sewing machine can come to the overlock stitches of a serger, but it is nowhere near the same or as effective. Adding a straight stitch will stop the needed stretch.  

---

