Even experienced seamstresses are somewhat hesitant about tackling specialty materials. These are some of the most expensive materials to work with, and if you make a mistake, it can be costly to repair. When they are handled correctly though, the results can be pretty spectacular. If you want your friends wondering where you got your dress the next time you make an appearance at a big event, sparkle fabrics are the way to go.
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.
It's important to line a dress made of sequined material. Even if the pattern doesn't call for it, you should still take the time and spend the extra money to add lining. You will notice the difference in the way the dress hangs. The sequins will scratch your skin too, when you haven't included a lining, and sitting down in it for any length of time will make you miserable.
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.
If you are going to work with sequined fabric, you have to have the right attitude. Your table, floor, and clothes are going to be covered with pieces of flaky silver or gold no matter how careful you are. This is not a job you can rush. When you do, you'll end up making mistakes and ordering more material.
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.
It's important to line a dress made of sequined material. Even if the pattern doesn't call for it, you should still take the time and spend the extra money to add lining. You will notice the difference in the way the dress hangs. The sequins will scratch your skin too, when you haven't included a lining, and sitting down in it for any length of time will make you miserable.
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.
If you are going to work with sequined fabric, you have to have the right attitude. Your table, floor, and clothes are going to be covered with pieces of flaky silver or gold no matter how careful you are. This is not a job you can rush. When you do, you'll end up making mistakes and ordering more material.
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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