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.
Whether or not the pattern calls for it, you need to plan on lining your dress. You will need good lining material, which costs a little more. The extra step takes more time, but you'll be glad the dress is lined when you sit down in it for the first time. Without lining, the material is going to be scratchy and uncomfortable. You may eliminate some facing pieces by using lining, which will help with the bulkiness.
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.
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.
Whether or not the pattern calls for it, you need to plan on lining your dress. You will need good lining material, which costs a little more. The extra step takes more time, but you'll be glad the dress is lined when you sit down in it for the first time. Without lining, the material is going to be scratchy and uncomfortable. You may eliminate some facing pieces by using lining, which will help with the bulkiness.
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.
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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