Even good home seamstresses often shy away from making formal dresses out of delicate fabric. Fabric is expensive, and these are more expensive than most. When made correctly however, the results can be spectacular. If you are considering impressing your friends at the next party by showing up in sparkles from head to toe, there are some simple tips that will make sewing sparkle fabrics easier and more successful.
You need to keep it simple with an easy design and a basic pattern. You will have to use a pattern appropriate to stretch materials because material with sewn sequins has a stretchy element to it. This material tends to be somewhat bulky as well, so a design with a straightforward shape works best. Patterns that have small pieces and darts should be avoided.
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 a lot more prevalent that it used to be, but you can't top stitch sequin material. When you're checking out patterns, be sure to look and see if they call for neck, sleeve or hem top stitching. Slip stitching the lining is fine and shouldn't be a problem.
Ironing as you go is a sign of a true seamstress. The experienced know this makes sewing easier and eliminates a lot of potential trouble spots. Ironing sequined material will get you in trouble however. You might melt the sequins or damage them significantly. The best thing to do is remove the sequins from the inside to flatten the seam. If you are trying to avoid this tedious process, you can try finger pressing the seams.
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.
Above all you shouldn't sweat the small stuff. Working with these kinds of materials is messy and can be frustrating. You need to go slowly, because making a big mistake can be costly. There will be sequins everywhere, but that's okay. Perfectionists might insist the sequins must be removed from the inside seams, but if you don't do it, nobody but you will know.
Instead of starting with a full blown dress, you might try something simple like a sleeveless top. If you're pleased with the results, you can go on to a more complicated project. Either way, everyone will think you are wearing exclusive designer clothes.
You need to keep it simple with an easy design and a basic pattern. You will have to use a pattern appropriate to stretch materials because material with sewn sequins has a stretchy element to it. This material tends to be somewhat bulky as well, so a design with a straightforward shape works best. Patterns that have small pieces and darts should be avoided.
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 a lot more prevalent that it used to be, but you can't top stitch sequin material. When you're checking out patterns, be sure to look and see if they call for neck, sleeve or hem top stitching. Slip stitching the lining is fine and shouldn't be a problem.
Ironing as you go is a sign of a true seamstress. The experienced know this makes sewing easier and eliminates a lot of potential trouble spots. Ironing sequined material will get you in trouble however. You might melt the sequins or damage them significantly. The best thing to do is remove the sequins from the inside to flatten the seam. If you are trying to avoid this tedious process, you can try finger pressing the seams.
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.
Above all you shouldn't sweat the small stuff. Working with these kinds of materials is messy and can be frustrating. You need to go slowly, because making a big mistake can be costly. There will be sequins everywhere, but that's okay. Perfectionists might insist the sequins must be removed from the inside seams, but if you don't do it, nobody but you will know.
Instead of starting with a full blown dress, you might try something simple like a sleeveless top. If you're pleased with the results, you can go on to a more complicated project. Either way, everyone will think you are wearing exclusive designer clothes.
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