A Beginning Sewer's Guide To Working With Stretch Velvet And Other Specialty Textiles
If you are just beginning to sew your own clothing or make other fabric items you may not be aware of the wide range of different fabrics that are available. Some, like stretch velvet, fleece or silk need to be handled in specific ways. If you have never worked with specialty fabrics here are some tips and tricks that may make it easier for you to do so.
One thing to consider is how well the fabric drapes and flows. Some fabrics may be too stiff for certain projects while others may not have the kind of structure needed to get a garment or other fabric item to look right. Generally, materials like thin silks and satins will flow better and will drape more nicely while thicker cottons, corduroys and brocades may be stiffer and have more structure.
Many materials have spandex or Lycra in them. This is great as it can allow them to move with your body. Many active wear designs will be made from this kind of fabric. If you are sewing something that is designed to expand you will need to make sure you are using a zig zag stitch rather than a straight one. This will allow the material to move properly. You may also want to serge the edges so they do not curl and warp.
You should also give some thought to how warm a particular fabric will be. Heavier fabrics will generally be better at trapping heat. If you are making a garment that will be worn in warmer weather or which will be layered with other garments you may want to look for thinner, lighter fabrics. That way your garment will be more comfortable to wear.
If you're sewing a delicate fabric like a silk or a satin you may also need a special needle and foot. You will want to make sure that the needle pierces the fabric cleanly so that it doesn't make the material run or tear. Knit fabrics usually work best when being sewn with a needle that has a ball point rather than a sharp tip.
Another thing to think about is what a fabric's care instructions are. This is especially true if you are mixing fabrics in the same piece or if you know that you will be wearing an item on a regular basis. If you will be mixing fabric types in one piece it can be a lot less problematic if all of the materials used have the same basic care instructions.
Patterns can give you a wealth of helpful information when it comes to working on a project. Pay attention to the material suggestions that are being made as well as any notions or embellishments that they want you to use. There may be suggestions about which machine foot to use, which stitch to utilize and which type of thread to use.
While some crafters choose to order their supplies on line this may not be the best option for a beginning crafter. Visiting a physical store can be a good idea as you can feel fabrics and speak to the employees about what textiles would be best for a particular project. Then, you can approach the work with more confidence and can create pieces that are beautiful and uniquely yours
One thing to consider is how well the fabric drapes and flows. Some fabrics may be too stiff for certain projects while others may not have the kind of structure needed to get a garment or other fabric item to look right. Generally, materials like thin silks and satins will flow better and will drape more nicely while thicker cottons, corduroys and brocades may be stiffer and have more structure.
Many materials have spandex or Lycra in them. This is great as it can allow them to move with your body. Many active wear designs will be made from this kind of fabric. If you are sewing something that is designed to expand you will need to make sure you are using a zig zag stitch rather than a straight one. This will allow the material to move properly. You may also want to serge the edges so they do not curl and warp.
You should also give some thought to how warm a particular fabric will be. Heavier fabrics will generally be better at trapping heat. If you are making a garment that will be worn in warmer weather or which will be layered with other garments you may want to look for thinner, lighter fabrics. That way your garment will be more comfortable to wear.
If you're sewing a delicate fabric like a silk or a satin you may also need a special needle and foot. You will want to make sure that the needle pierces the fabric cleanly so that it doesn't make the material run or tear. Knit fabrics usually work best when being sewn with a needle that has a ball point rather than a sharp tip.
Another thing to think about is what a fabric's care instructions are. This is especially true if you are mixing fabrics in the same piece or if you know that you will be wearing an item on a regular basis. If you will be mixing fabric types in one piece it can be a lot less problematic if all of the materials used have the same basic care instructions.
Patterns can give you a wealth of helpful information when it comes to working on a project. Pay attention to the material suggestions that are being made as well as any notions or embellishments that they want you to use. There may be suggestions about which machine foot to use, which stitch to utilize and which type of thread to use.
While some crafters choose to order their supplies on line this may not be the best option for a beginning crafter. Visiting a physical store can be a good idea as you can feel fabrics and speak to the employees about what textiles would be best for a particular project. Then, you can approach the work with more confidence and can create pieces that are beautiful and uniquely yours
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