7 Tips for Sewing With Sequin Fabric
Sewing with sequin fabric on your sewing machine can result in broken needles or worse yet, damage to your sewing machine. Other options include hand sewing sequins, using a variety of finishing methods.
For those thinking about sewing with sequins this holiday season, I’ve gathered together my tips for sewing sequin fabrics which will guide you to a finished project that you’ll love.
Tip #1: Sew Slowly
Sequins come in a range of sizes, and are applied to fabric in a variety of ways. I have found that the absolute best way to sew sequins successfully is to sew slowly.
If your sewing machine allows, turns the speed down as low as possible. I can do this on my Brother sewing machine, but it isn’t an option on my Bernina.
Tip #2: Use a Bigger Needle
A larger needle such as a 16 or 18 – or even a denim needle – will often work better with sequins than a narrower needle. While you’d think a smaller needle would be able to find a way through gaps in sequins, the reality is that they are more likely to break first.
A larger needle is thicker and therefore has a bit more brute strength to go through the sequins.
An alternative is to use a leather needle, as these will ‘cut’ through the sequins. I would still opt for a larger needle size over a smaller one.
Tip #3: Use a Longer Stitch Length
I often find that a longer stitch length is helpful for sewing sequins successfully. This helps to provide ‘space’ for the sequins, so the thread is less likely to break.
Tip #4: Tissue Paper
If you’re still struggling with sewing sequins at this point, then try using a layer of tissue paper on top of the fabric. This will act as a gentle barrier between the needle and the sequins.
Other Ways To Finish Sequins
If sewing with sequin fabric on your sewing machine does not fill you with joy at the thought then there are other ways to finish a sequin project.
Tip #5: Bias Tape
Start by hand sewing bias tape to the edge of your sequinned fabric. Next turn under the bias tape and hand sew in place. This is a more time consuming process, but means the sequins won’t be scratchy on the skin.
Tip #6: Netting
If bias tape is not an option – perhaps because of the transparency of the sequinned fabric – you could try using a strip of netting in a similar way to the bias tape facing method.
Remember that net does not fray, but is slightly transparent because of the holes in it, so make sure to use a thread that is suitable!
Tip #7: Gentle Press
Sequins may be plastic, but if you’re careful, they can still be pressed. Turn the fabric under by the required amount. Place a press cloth on top and use a low heat to gently press the fold. This will make hand sewing the edge a lot easier.
Let me know if you end up sewing something with sequin fabric this holiday season! I’m thinking about a sequinned corset, as it would be a great way to use an existing toile in my DIY wedding Corset series… what do you think?
