Last night’s Great British Sewing Bee saw Sequin fabrics used for a super fun Bomber Jacket challenge. A couple of the contestants struggled with stitching the sparkly sequin fabrics so we have popped together this handy Sequin Sewing Guide packed with handy tips.
We cover everything from cutting sequin fabrics to sewing them without damaging your equipment but if you have any additional questions don’t hesitate to Contact Us.
Choosing The Best Sequin Fabric
I won’t go into all the fabric options you can Explore Them Here. The main thing to take into account is your project – for example are you making a sophisticated garment, a fun fancy dress outfit or stage backdrop.
We have options for all and a range of price points to ensure we can meet your needs & budget. All our Sequin Fabrics have full descriptions to help you choose but if you have any questions we would be pleased to help – Contact Us.
On To The Sequin Sewing…
1. Cutting Sequin Fabric
- Needless to say keep the fabric as flat as possible during cutting
- Direction: Always check the direction of the sequins. You want to cut in a way that goes with the direction of the sequins to reduce resistance and stop flipping.
- Tools: Use sharp scissors or a rotary cutter to get clean cuts. Dull blades can pull on the sequins and distort your fabric.
- Removing Sequins: For seam allowances or intricate cuts, remove sequins from the edges where you will be sewing. You can do this by gently pulling them off with your fingers or ideally using a seam ripper or thread snips.
2. Sewing Sequin Fabric
Machine Sewing:
- Needle: Use a new, sharp needle, such as a size 70/10 or 80/12. This reduces the risk of breaking needles and snagging sequins.
- Thread: Opt for a stronger thread for durability- a 75s Thread Plus is ideal.
- Stitch Length: Set your machine to a longer stitch length (about 2.5-3 mm) to avoid bunching and to allow the needle to find gaps between the sequins.
- Speed: Sew slowly. High speeds increase the likelihood of needle breaks and can pull sequins loose.
- Presser Foot: Use a standard presser foot or a roller foot if available, which helps glide over the sequins more easily.
- Maintenance: Always clean your sewing machine after sewing sequin fabric to remove any loose sequins that may cause future jams.
Hand Sewing:
- Needle: Use a fine, sharp needle
- Thread: As above a 75s Thread Plus for durability is ideal.
- Thimble: Consider a thimble to protect your fingers, as pushing the needle through sequin fabric can be tough.
- Technique: Secure your stitches without pulling too tight, which can warp the fabric.
3. Finishing Techniques – Securing Seams:
- Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to secure your threads.
- For added durability, especially on garments, consider sewing a plain fabric lining to protect the inside seams and make the garment more comfortable to wear.
We hope these handy tips have been helpful and would love to see some of your Sparkly makes! Tag us in any of your creations on Instagram @empressmills1927 or on Facebook @empressmills.
