Learning how to effectively stop fabric from fraying can save you time, aggravation, and money. If you donât have a special stretchy thread itâs still okay. Because of this special stretching quality of spandex fabric, you must take care not to stretch it out of shape as you sew it. Leave it to dry flat for at least a day so that it keeps its shape. It is 68% rayon, 28% polyester, 4% spandex. How wide you cut the binding depends on the width you want (the range should be between ¾ and 1 inch). Step 5 Sew the stretch stitch along the fabric to hem the spandex. Quality fabrics should offer great recovery when stretched and compressed to last through repeated washings and wearings, as well as having full coverage. It is a really delicate and stretchy fabric. But, with these 10 sewing tips, you are guaranteed to have a fighting chance. Start with a medium zigzag using a little bit longer stitch length than the default setting (2 up to even 3, depending on how much the fabric will be stretched out). 3. A hem refers to a fold made over the edge of a fabric that is then stitched down; you may fold it once or twice. Today, weâre getting into the meat of spandex construction, and Iâll also mention a few ways that you can finish off spandex projects. Set the sewing machine to a stretch stitch. This is done to finish the raw edges of an outfit at the neckline, armhole, cuffs, ankles, etc. Iâve looked at 4 possibilities below. A different technique can be used with each. The higher the spandex or Lycra content of a fabric, the more stretch and recovery you can expect it to have. Welcome back to the Spandex 101 series! I need to hem a dress that is a thick stretchy material, since itâs thick and only really has one way stretch, do I still need to use these tips or could I hem it the way I would with any other fabric. Stretch the elastic just a little then sew it in place. Feel free to use any of the stretch stitch features on the machine. Spandex is a great fabric for garments that need to stretch with your body. If you want you can create a double foldable hem that fully encloses the elastic. Fabrics should also offer thermal insulation depending on what climate yo⦠It has been a favorite for dance costumes, gymnastics outfits, skating costumes, exercise wear, and swimwear since it was introduced in the 1950s. Make sure you position the fabric so that it stretches around the body, rather than along its length. However, both woven and knit polyester fabric⦠Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon. https://illmagore.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Also, the stretchy fabric can be troublesome to ⦠Polyester spandex is one fabric thatâs very challenging to sew and hem as it stretches in two ways; it stretches lengthwise and crosswise on the grain of the fabric. A skirt hem on a low stretch fabric, for example, wonât need as much âgiveâ as say, the neckline on a very stretchy fabric. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Lay the strip of fabric along the edge that needs to be hemmed. 1. Position your needle to sew along the fabric approximately 1/4 inch from the fabric's edge. Sewing machine (with zigzag and stretch stitches). A commercial or hand-designed pattern for the dress, About 2-3 yards of polyester spandex or just enough fabric for your pattern, Zipper, buttons, or other closures depending on the design, Prep the fabric for sewing by washing it in advance then cut it using sharp scissors and later pin it with ballpoint pins, If you donât have a special stretchy thread itâs still okay. Hold the fabric at the selvedge and 4â³ and stretch the fabric as wide as it goes. Fabrics should have a 25% four-way stretch for comfort and ease. Your email address will not be published. If you have a blind hem foot for your sewing machine, you can sew a blind hem after finishing the raw edge of the spandex. Make sure the stretchiest part of the fabric is going around the body. Kathryn Hatter is a veteran home-school educator, as well as an accomplished gardener, quilter, crocheter, cook, decorator and digital graphics creator. This technique is great for creating decorative effects at the hem of a dress. Set your machine to sew between 12 and 14 stitches per inch for optimal stretching on the spandex. You add binding to the edges which are then sewn into a seam. A blind hem will not be visible from the right side of the spandex. You also shouldnât let the fabric hang over the edge of the working surface â this pulls the fabric. If the seam does pop, just shorten the stitch length a bit or increase the stitch width. I did a few hundred of this type of jean hem in my last job doing alterations. This makes it possible to produce non-woven fabrics, such as felt. As long as there is a lot of stretch happening from hip to hip, your garment will likely fit and be flattering. Created by Tie Dye Diva Sewing Patterns Letâs dispel some fear about working with one of our favorite super soft fabrics, Double Brushed Poly (DBP)!DBP fabric has gained popularity recently as the perfect leggings fabric, but weâre beginning to see it being used for many more types of garments that call for a light to mid-weight knit fabric. If you do not want to use interfacing or undo the original hem, an alternative method to keep the hem from rolling is to trim off all the excess fabric inside and then do a top stitch above the original hem with a twin needle and the Take your pattern and place it on the fabric. If done wrong, the hem might get wavy or the stitches might pop when you try to stretch it over your head. As you sew the stretch stitch, expect the sewing process to take longer than usual because your sewing machine will be stitching two forward stitches and then one backward stitch along the entire hemline. BUY HEAT 'n BOND on Amazon (affiliate link): http://bit.ly/Buy-Heat-n-Bond - No sewing machine? Always pre-wash your stretchy fabric. NylonX Vs CarbonX: Which One You Should Pick, How To Remove Screen Printing From Shirts. Determine the hem you desire and turn the fabric to the wrong side along this line. The needle should be specifically designed for sewing stretchy fabric. If you have a serger, use the serger to stitch the raw edge of the spandex instead of sewing a zigzag stitch with the sewing machine. If yes, then this instructable is for you. The most ideal stitch is the triple straight one as it doesnât leave very conspicuous stitch patterns on the fabric. Before you start sewing your polyester fabric spandex to make a dress, there are a number of things you can do to make sure that the process goes smoothly all the way to hemming. 3. The fabric is described by the manufacturer as "liquid knit" and I guess that would Avoid pulling the fabric as you sew or hem it. No problem! 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