Well if you would feed your machine on a regular basis it wouldn't eat things.

P.S. If you have one a walking foot may help some. Lycra and spandex are a stretch fabric so a small zig zag sometimes helps. If you have a surger that is another option for sewing. If you look at commercial tights you'll notice they are sewn with a surge stitch. You can also pin the hell out of what you are sewing.

*munchmunch*

I'll have to research these stitches, (of which I am completely ignorant) and see if I can get some more lessons on the machine from my wife. I should have learned to sew spandex years ago. We made a lot of Spandex suits as bases for creature suits, but back then I had a great seamstress working for me so I never got the chance to learn!

Sorry, didn't mean to put you off Spandex. I agree with Julie that machine stitching is best but my sewing machine kept "eating" the Spandex whenever I used it to sew with the devil fabric. I tried a variety of fixes but finally just chose to use other fabrics whenever possible.

  Try using a needle specifically for stretch fabrics.  I don't (LOL), but you need to make sure the needle is sharp without any nicks.  Also, start very slow when starting the machine or just start sewing farther from the edge.

Thanks Julie! If I get to where I'm ready to try again I'll try a fresh needle and starting farther from the edge. Unfortunately on the last thing I was trying I couldn't really do that. After about 4 times of redoing it I threw in the towel. When that frustration is a bit more of a faded memory I may try again. There are definite advantages to the fabric.

Good call on starting in from the edge Julie! So many things about sewing are just second nature to me that I forget to say them.  

In regards to types of needles, a ball point is normally used on stretch fabrics and a sharp is used on finely woven fabrics.  There is also what is called a universal needle and is what as a rule I keep in a machine unless I am having issues. Found this cool chart that explains needle types. http://puppetsandstuff.com/2008gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21981&g2_GALLERYSID=e6c9de4d6ae49e15395c3423a7261de2  I uploaded it to the Gallery for safe keeping since it is allowed but it is courtesy of the Sewing and Craft Alliance.  Check out their site for more cool stuff. http://www.sewing.org/

Spandex and other stretchy fabrics sew up beautifully if you have access to a serger.

If you don't have a serger, you can set your regular machine to a zig zag stitch and use wooly nylon in the bobbin. Check your owners manual, some bobbins have a bypass for heavy threads and yarn. You'll want to hand wind the wooly nylon on the bobbin. Wooly nylon has a little stretch to it, and combined with the zig zag will give the seam some ease when stretched.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0027DTZS6/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

Wow, GREAT information for a total sewing newbie like me. But "Hand winding the wooly nylon on the bobbin" is a language I'm only just beginning to learn. Thanks, Shawn and DrMegan!
Chris

Glad to be of help! I've been a seamstress for years, so I have a ton of odd little tricks tucked away. Hope it helps!

Yeah Doc Megan I wish I had access to a serger! I have been using a zig zag stitch but I have not tried the wooly nylon thread. I'll be sure to let you know how I make out when I finally pull the demon fabric out again. For now it is locked safely away in a drawer. Wait...why is that drawer open a crack? What the...AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!