Sewing velvet fabric perfectly on the first attempt is backbreaking. Before jumping into the sewing machine, we must recall our understanding of the fabric concept and its patterns. It is worth attempting to sew like a pro as velvet fabric is amazingly drapery. The thinking of the velvet pattern while sewing must be well-made at the first step. Get to know about other tips and tricks in the below description.
Becoming Acquainted with Velvet Fabric
Velvet is like pile-like fuzzy and hairy surfaced fabric. Also, velvet has soft and plush sides that make the fabric luxurious. The main material of this woven fabric is silk. Yet, there are cotton, rayon, polyester, and blended ones. Modern velvet fabric has elastic fibers with tight-fitting garments. Interestingly, velvet fabric has something to fit in: every velvet is a three-dimensional materialled where the fabric has a “Nap” side. It makes one side of the surface softer, and another side rougher.
What to Look into Before Getting Prepped: Sewing Velvet Fabric
Whether you want to sew by hand or with a sewing machine, the following steps will help you further in the process for sewing velvet!
1. Pattern Choosing
Before sewing the velvet fabric, it is essential to choose a pattern. We are already aware that velvet fabric brings luxury to the cloth. Still, it is important to choose the pattern wisely. Choosing a pattern that has simple lines and constructive seams is worth applying.
2. Fit Checking
Since velvet comes in several content and weight, it is considered to choose a fitted fabric. Whether you want semi-fitted garments or not, velvet fabric depends on that. Meanwhile, there are loosely fitted garments, that create a challenging task for holding durability.
3. Velvet’s Enemy-The Iron
Heavy-handed iron is velvet fabric’s enemy. In that case, patterns with tucks, and gathers sound better.
4. Pre-Washing
If you think that, the sewed velvet will never get washed again, try to wash it before sewing. It also goes for the dry-cleaning Velvets.
5. Avoiding Pins
Using pins to save the sewing layout, get the “nap layout” first to accumulate the piece’s patterns. Nap layouts require extra fabrication.
The Sewing Process of the Velvet Fabric
Nothing beats the outcome when your preparation is top-notch. After getting followed on the previous steps, it is now to go like an extensive sewer and ensure better sewing.
a. Cutting a Single Layer of the Velvet
This step requires extra accommodation. The cutting pattern should be well-traced before. Get your hands on the velvet fabric’s right side, here, the pile will go smoothly in the nap direction. Keep a sharp pair of scissors with you for cutting.
b. Testing Stitches
This is due to ensure the consistency of the fabric and to ensure the fabric’s appearance.
c. Diagonal Stitch Pattern
Using a diagonal pattern of stitch helps to keep fabric secured while sewing.
d. Seam Finishes and Hem Finishes
It is important to keep seam finishes lightweight by avoiding the bound and French seams. Seam finishes are well-seen as raw-edged. The finish even looks the flattest and the least bulky. In case of the velvet garment needs a seam finish, keep experimenting with the serged edges. Meanwhile, a single-fold or any hem blind-stitched would avoid the bulk. Before hemming the velvet project, keep hanging it for 24 hours to relax. The fabric may get stretched out vastly. Try to recut the hem if there is any necessary.
- Decreasing the pressure foot pressure allows you to adjust the velvet thickness.
- A needle ranging from 70 to 80 will work depending on the velvet type.
- Any type of cotton and silk thread is your best choice while sewing with velvet.
- All these things keep your stitch in a balanced position. Keep the straight stitch length from 2.5 to 3.0 mm.
Shortcut Paths to Sew Like a Pro!
i. Carefully Choose Closures
Velvet requires a deserving closure to match. Instead of an invisible zipper, trying a hand-picked one would not be so bad. Besides, on velvet, the stitch pick tends to get disappeared and showed the seam invisible.
ii. Using Stabilizer for Sewing
Reinforce the areas like collars, and closures, as ironing is not possible. In that case, using a stitched-in-layer which is lightweight in nature will work better.
iii. Using A Walking Foot
To prevent creep, walking foot is one of the techniques. It moves the fabric’s top layer under the needle part. It also works the same for the bottom layer. The foot will help to lower the pressure as well.
Cutting Velvet from the Wrong Side
Cutting from the right side causes you many things
- It becomes tricky to mark accurately
- Markings can get off quite a bit
To avoid such situations, flip the velvet fabric over, markdown, and start to cut from the backside. It ensures accuracy, even with the rotary cutter.
In the case of Sewing Stretch Velvet:
Using a ballpoint needle and zigzag stitch on the machine will save you effort. Do not forget to adjust the differential feed to ensure the stretches.
Conclusion
For beginners out there, here is a simple trick. Always skip complicated seams and darts. Buttonholes are tricky to sew so the invisible zips. Apart from all these, any of you can try the universal machine needles that range from 70/10 or 80/12. Using the walker food would help to slide the layers even under the foot. Always try to stitch in the nap direction. All these tips will take you to experience the new adventure of sewing with a full attitude.
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