Sequin fabric is a popular choice for evening dresses, skirts, and tops due to its glitzy and glamorous appearance. However, sewing with sequin fabric can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t follow the right techniques. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of how to sew sequin fabric, giving you tips and tricks on how to handle it with ease. So, get your sequin fabric and sewing machine ready, and let’s dive in!
Can You Sew Sequin Fabric?
Sewing is a skill that requires both patience and precision, but when it comes to sewing sequin fabric, the difficulty level seems to increase. The question on many sewers’ minds is: can you sew sequin fabric? The answer is a resounding yes, but it’s important to approach the task with caution. First, choose the right needle, as a regular needle may not be sturdy enough to pierce through the sequins.
Secondly, use a high-quality thread that can withstand the weight of the fabric and won’t break easily. Lastly, take your time when sewing, as the sequins can snag easily and cause frustration. Sewing with sequin fabric may seem daunting, but with the right tools and mindset, you can create beautiful and dazzling pieces that will shine bright like diamonds.
Why Should You Sew Sequin Fabric?
Sewing sequin fabric may seem like a daunting task at first, but the end result is always worth the effort. Not only does sewing sequin fabric add glamour and sparkle to any garment, but it also allows for endless creativity and personalization. The reflective quality of sequins can turn a simple piece of clothing into a showstopping ensemble that catches the eye of everyone in the room.
Additionally, sewing with sequin fabric requires attention to detail and patience, making it a rewarding and therapeutic activity. So, if you’re looking to add some sparkle and shine to your wardrobe or just want to try your hand at a new sewing challenge, sewing sequin fabric is an excellent choice.
How to Sew Sequin Fabric with Ease: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Choose the Right Needle and Thread
When sewing with sequin fabric, it’s essential to use the right type of needle and thread. Always use a new sharp needle, preferably a size 12 or 14. The needle should be slightly larger than the thread you’re using to prevent thread breakage. Use a sturdy thread such as polyester, nylon, or even cotton-wrapped polyester. This type of thread will hold up well to the weight of the sequins and won’t break easily.
Step 2: Prepare the Fabric
Before you start sewing, you need to prepare the sequin fabric. Lay it flat on your workspace and gently brush away any sequins that are in the seam allowance. This will prevent the sequins from getting caught in the seam and making it difficult to sew.
Step 3: Pin and Cut the Fabric
Once you have brushed away any sequins from the seam allowance, you can pin and cut your fabric. When pinning, avoid placing pins where the sequins are. Instead, pin at the edge of the sequins. This will prevent your pins from damaging the sequin or getting stuck in the seam. When cutting the fabric, use sharp scissors and make shortcuts, being careful not to cut through any sequins.
Step 4: Test Your Sewing Machine
Before you start sewing your sequin fabric, it’s always a good idea to test your sewing machine on a scrap piece of fabric. Adjust your machine’s tension to avoid stitches that are too tight or too loose. You may need to make some additional adjustments to your stitch length as well.
Step 5: Sew Your Fabric
Now that you’ve prepared your fabric and tested your sewing machine, it’s time to sew! Start by sewing slowly, making sure your stitches are straight and consistent if you see a sequin while sewing, gently push it out of the way with your finger or a seam ripper. If the sequin won’t budge, gently glide your needle over it and continue sewing. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.
Step 6: Finish the Seams
After you have sewn your fabric, it’s essential to finish the seams. This will prevent any fraying and give your garment a professional look. The best way to finish seams in sequin fabric is by using an overlock stitch on a serger or a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine.
Step 7: Care for Your Finished Garment
Once your garment is complete, it’s crucial to care for it properly. Hand washing is always recommended for sequin fabric, but if you must use a washing machine, turn your garment inside out and place it in a mesh laundry bag. Use a gentle cycle with cold water and allow the garment to air dry. This will help prevent any damage to the sequins and keep your garment looking like new for longer.
By following these seven steps, you can sew sequin fabric like a pro. Remember to take your time, use the right tools and techniques, and care for your finished garment properly. With practice, sewing with sequin fabric will become second nature, and you’ll create stunning pieces in no time! So, show off your sewing skills with some beautiful sequin fabric.
5 Considerations Things When You Need to Sew Sequin Fabric
1. Thread Type
When sewing sequin fabric, it is important to choose the right type of thread for the project. The best thread to use is a strong polyester or nylon thread, as these threads are strong enough to withstand the strain of sequins and beads. A cotton thread can also be used, but it may not be as durable and may break easily.
2. Needle Type
In addition to choosing the right type of thread, it is also important to select the correct needle size for your project. Sequins and beads can put a lot of strain on needles, so it is important to choose one that is strong enough to handle them without breaking or bending. Generally, a size 90/14 needle works well for most projects involving sequin fabric.
3. Stabilizer
To ensure that your project looks neat and professional, it is important to use some kind of stabilizer when working with sequin fabric. Stabilizers help keep seams from stretching and coming apart over time, which can happen if you do not use one when sewing sequin fabric. A lightweight tear-away stabilizer works best for this type of project.
4. Seam Allowance
When sewing sequin fabric, it is important to leave a larger seam allowance than you would normally use when sewing other types of fabrics. This will help ensure that the seams are strong enough to hold up against all the weight of the sequins and beads on the fabric. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 1/4 inch seam allowance when working with this type of material.
5. Pressing
It is also essential that you press your seams after they have been sewn to flatten them out and make them look neat and professional. When pressing seams on sequin fabric, use a dry iron on a low heat setting to not melt any of the plastic pieces on the material. Additionally, press from both sides to get an even finish on both sides of the seam line.
Benefits of Sew Sequin Fabric
Sew sequin fabric is a true work of art. This fabric adds a shimmering and glamorous effect to your sewing projects, and if you haven’t tried it yet, you are missing out on something truly magical. The benefits of sewing sequin fabric are endless. Firstly, it can transform a dull garment into something breathtaking with its eye-catching sparkle. Secondly, it is a very versatile fabric that can be used in various ways, such as jackets, dresses, skirts, scarves, and even home accessories.
Thirdly, sequin fabric is easy to sew, and you don’t need special equipment like expensive machines or needles to work with it. Moreover, it is durable and requires less maintenance than other fabric types.
Finally, sewing sequin fabric brings out the creativity in you by allowing you to add some glitz and glam to your project. So, why not step out of your comfort zone and add some sparkle to your sewing projects with sequin fabric? You won’t be disappointed!
5 Common Mistakes People Make When Trying to Sew Sequin Fabric
1. Not Pre-washing the Fabric
One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to sew sequin fabric is not pre-washing it. Sequin fabric can shrink significantly when washed, so it’s important to pre-wash the fabric before cutting and sewing it. Additionally, pre-washing will help remove any excess dye that could bleed onto other fabrics or cause discoloration.
2. Not Using a Walking Foot
Another mistake people often make when sewing sequin fabric is not using a walking foot. A walking foot helps keep the layers of fabric from shifting as you sew, making it easier to get even stitches and preventing puckering or bunching of the fabric. It’s also important to use a longer stitch length when working with sequin fabric to avoid breaking any of the sequins.
3. Not Using Tissue Paper
Tissue paper can be a helpful tool for sewing sequin fabric because it prevents the needle from getting stuck in the sequins and keeps them from shifting around while you are stitching. To use tissue paper, simply place a layer between two pieces of sequin fabric before sewing them together. Once your seam is finished, tear away the tissue paper and discard it.
4. Not Testing Stitches on Scrap Fabric
Before beginning your project, it’s important to test out different stitch lengths and tensions on scrap pieces of sequin fabric to ensure that you get good results on your final project. This will help you determine which stitch settings work best for your particular type of sequin fabric and prevent any costly mistakes later on down the line.
5. Not Securing Sequins Before Sewing
Finally, make sure that all of your sequins are securely attached before beginning to sew them into place, as this will help prevent them from coming loose during construction or use of the garment or item being made with the sequined fabric. To secure them, use pins or glue dots placed underneath each sequin before beginning to sew them into place.
Conclusion
Sewing with sequin fabric may seem daunting, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be a breeze. Remember to choose the right needle and thread, prepare your fabric, pin and cut it carefully, test your sewing machine, and sew slowly, and you’ll have a beautiful sequin garment in no time.
Remember that practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t turn out perfectly on your first try. Keep at it, and soon, you’ll be sewing sequin fabric with ease! Thanks for reading our post about how to sew sequin fabric.
