{"id":56,"date":"2019-06-03T16:11:52","date_gmt":"2019-06-03T16:11:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.contrado.com\/blog\/?p=56"},"modified":"2019-11-25T17:48:27","modified_gmt":"2019-11-25T17:48:27","slug":"how-to-sew-stretchy-fabric","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.contrado.com\/blog\/how-to-sew-stretchy-fabric\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Sew Stretchy Fabric Without Going Mad – A Beginner’s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you are an accomplished sewer or a novice, knowing how to sew stretchy fabric is a key skill that will help you with a wealth of sewing projects and save you a lot of nerves.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that sewing with stretchy fabric can be somewhat of a challenge (some people find it downright scary!) Stretch fabrics tend to make up a huge majority of people\u2019s wardrobes. They are comfortable, easy to wear and require minimal care. Learning how to sew elastic fabric will give you the confidence to push your sewing skills. And trust us: it isn\u2019t as hard as you might think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Stretch Fabrics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stretch fabric is a generic term for any textile, knitted or woven, that has a greater amount of recovery and stretch than is normally expected. These textiles can be stretch-woven fabrics, single knits, some double knits, and even bias-cut fabrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most elastic fabrics are knits. Jersey fabrics make up a large percentage of this group. The most prominent feature of these fabrics is their 4-way stretch. This means they extend both crosswise and lengthwise. There are some stretch fabrics \u2013 usually heavier ones \u2013 that only have a 2-way stretch. Therefore, it is vital to make sure you check you are using the right kind of stretchy fabric for your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Can I learn how to sew with stretchy fabrics with my home sewing machine?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A common misunderstanding about how to sew with stretchy fabrics is that you need to serger. Overlockers or sergers are wonderful at handling stretch fabrics and creating a polished finish, but are they always necessary? Although a serger can make it quicker to sew with stretchy knits, it is a costly addition to your sewing machine. It is also not imperative for sewing with elastic textiles. A zigzag stitch on a standard sewing machine can be used as an alternative to a serger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difficulty some people might find with sewing elastics comes from the amount of stretch that certain fabric might have. It is important to factor in the percentage of stretch in your chosen fabric, and that it matches the pattern you are working with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hot tips for working with elastic fabric<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By following a few simple tricks and tips, your knowledge of how to sew stretchy fabric will sky rocket. Ensuring the finished seams lie neatly and flat and at the same time don\u2019t break when the garment is used is your endgame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 main tricks to knowing how to sew elastic fabric<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  1. Always pre-wash your stretchy fabric<\/strong> \u2013 leave it to dry flat for at least a day so that it keeps its shape<\/li>
  2. Ensure <\/strong>you have the right fabric for your project or pattern<\/li>
  3. Choose the right needle<\/strong> \u2013 all stretchy knit fabrics should be sewn with a special needle; either a ballpoint or a stretch needle. A ballpoint needle consists of a rounded tip, which pushes the yarns away when sewing. It avoids damaging knit fabric while cutting and sewing. This contrasts with the usual piercing through and ripping them. Ensure you opt for the right size of needle for your fabric.<\/li>
  4. Select the right thread<\/strong> \u2013 special threads are not usually required and a regular polyester thread works well as it has a slight amount of stretch. Stay away from cotton thread as it can break when pulled<\/li>
  5. Use stitches that will hold the stretch of the fabric<\/strong> \u2013 the stitches need to stretch with the fabric, so they don\u2019t pucker and break. If you must sew with a straight stitch, then hold the material taut, but don\u2019t pull it.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    TOP TIP: <\/strong>Knowing how to sew stretchy fabric involves knowing how to cut and handle your fabric. The most important thing to remember when cutting your fabric is not to stretch it. We recommend laying it flat on a table or other flat work surface. Don\u2019t let the fabric hang over the edges, as this could stretch it out of place. Some other top tips for knowing how to sew stretchy fabric and how to handle it during the sewing process include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n