Sewing Tips For Turning Sparkle Fabrics Into One Of A Kind Creations
Even if you are a good seamstress, the idea of trying your hand at a sequined dress may seem pretty intimidating. You know how expensive the material is, and the idea of ruining it or not finishing the project, may keep you from even attempting it. If you are planning to attend a big event though, and want to make a big splash with your outfit, sparkle fabrics are the way to go.
It all starts with the pattern, and the simpler the design, the easier it will be to work with. A lot of these types of materials are stretchy, so you will need a pattern that calls for it. Sequin fabric also tends to be bulkier than other kinds of material. The simpler the shape the better. Try to avoid patterns that call for darts and involve small pieces.
You need to plan on lining your dress, including sleeves. This is an extra step and will take some extra time, but it's worth it. Not only will the dress hang better when you wear it, it won't scratch your skin and make it uncomfortable to sit. As long as your pattern is simple, it won't matter whether or not lining is called for. You can just add it yourself.
Top stitching is everywhere these days, but it doesn't work on sequined material. If your neckline is simple you can sew the lining to it, turn it inside, and have a neat, clean look without the top stitching. Slip stitching the lining to the fabric is fine.
Most experienced seamstresses iron as they go to open their seams and keep the material easier to work with. You can't iron sequined material. The heat might actually melt the sequins, but if it doesn't do that, it will certainly damage them. Ideally you will be removing the sequins from the inside seams to help keep them flat. If you are trying to skip that step, you could try finger pressing the seams or getting something like a rolling pin to flatten them.
You can have machine problems working with this kind of fabric is you don't watch out. Leather needles work well. They are tough enough to pierce the sequins. Your regular needles will break. You should use old scissors instead of your expensive shears when you are working with sequins. They will dull the blades no matter how sharp the scissors started out.
Since you've decided to give sewing sequin fabric a try, you have to remember that it's not like most material. You just have to relax and take your time when you are working with it. There's no point in trying to clean the metallic pieces off the table or out of the carpet until you're finished. Don't feel bad if you don't remove the sequins from the seams. It's not a big deal.
You could always start small and make an easy, sleeveless, sequined top. Once you've completed it successfully you might be ready to move on to something more complicated. Everyone will wonder how you can afford your designer clothes.
It all starts with the pattern, and the simpler the design, the easier it will be to work with. A lot of these types of materials are stretchy, so you will need a pattern that calls for it. Sequin fabric also tends to be bulkier than other kinds of material. The simpler the shape the better. Try to avoid patterns that call for darts and involve small pieces.
You need to plan on lining your dress, including sleeves. This is an extra step and will take some extra time, but it's worth it. Not only will the dress hang better when you wear it, it won't scratch your skin and make it uncomfortable to sit. As long as your pattern is simple, it won't matter whether or not lining is called for. You can just add it yourself.
Top stitching is everywhere these days, but it doesn't work on sequined material. If your neckline is simple you can sew the lining to it, turn it inside, and have a neat, clean look without the top stitching. Slip stitching the lining to the fabric is fine.
Most experienced seamstresses iron as they go to open their seams and keep the material easier to work with. You can't iron sequined material. The heat might actually melt the sequins, but if it doesn't do that, it will certainly damage them. Ideally you will be removing the sequins from the inside seams to help keep them flat. If you are trying to skip that step, you could try finger pressing the seams or getting something like a rolling pin to flatten them.
You can have machine problems working with this kind of fabric is you don't watch out. Leather needles work well. They are tough enough to pierce the sequins. Your regular needles will break. You should use old scissors instead of your expensive shears when you are working with sequins. They will dull the blades no matter how sharp the scissors started out.
Since you've decided to give sewing sequin fabric a try, you have to remember that it's not like most material. You just have to relax and take your time when you are working with it. There's no point in trying to clean the metallic pieces off the table or out of the carpet until you're finished. Don't feel bad if you don't remove the sequins from the seams. It's not a big deal.
You could always start small and make an easy, sleeveless, sequined top. Once you've completed it successfully you might be ready to move on to something more complicated. Everyone will wonder how you can afford your designer clothes.
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