Sewing is a popular hobby among people of all ages. When deciding which material to use for your next project, you’ll most likely stay away from anything that poses a challenge. Now it’s time to take on these tricky materials and gain some new sewing techniques. This blog post will discuss the most challenging fabrics to sew with and provide a few tricks to help.
Knits
Knit fabrics are naturally elastic, making them tricky to sew. Some sewers believe you can sew knit materials only if you have an overlock or serger machine, but don’t worry; it’s possible to sew them with a regular sewing machine.
Tips for Sewing Knits
Yes, the serger or overlock will help, but many people want to stick with what they know. So we’ll help you learn to sew with knit materials. First, ensure you’re sewing on the right side. To check if you’re working with the right side, slightly pull on the fabric and look for a faint stripe.
Working with the best needle type will help tremendously. Ball point, stretch, and jersey needles will be your best bet. Test a small corner of your material to determine which needle to use. Make sure you keep the fabric flat and use a zigzag stitch. Soon, you’ll be a pro at sewing with stretchable fabric.
Leather
We know, we know; leather isn’t fabric, but it’s worth mentioning. Leather is tough. It may seem impossible initially, but with a few tips, you’ll learn how to manage this material. However, you’ll need to make some modifications.
Tips for Sewing Leather
Change out your sewing needle regularly. You want it to stay sharp. Also, use a second set of feed dogs to drive the bottom and top layer through simultaneously. Don’t be in a hurry when you’re sewing leather because speed will dull your needle quicker. You don’t want to make unnecessary stops along the way.
Sheers
Going the complete opposite of leather is sheers. Sheer materials include:
- Organza
- Chiffon
- Voile
- Organdy
- Georgette
These light and delicate fabrics can easily fray and rip if not handled correctly.
Tips for Sewing Sheers
Dull needles are a no-no for sheers. Like leather, a sharp needle is your best friend. Needle marks are nearly impossible to remove, so have a stable foundation for extra support while you’re sewing. Sheer fabrics can easily slip and slide around. One tip is to place a piece of tissue paper for added support. When finished, the paper will easily tear away from the finished project.
With these newfound tricks, you don’t have to feel intimidated while working with the above challenging fabrics. Good luck with your new sewing adventures!
Dianne Pajo is a writer based out of the Chicagoland area with a passion for music, combat sports, and animals. She enjoys competing in amateur boxing and kickboxing, but in her other leisure time, you can find her performing music around the city. She is also a dog mom of 2.
