Skip to main content

Learning To Sew: What You Need To Know About Sewing On Fabric

By Lizzsews

 This article is brought to you by Lizzsews.

Are you interested in learning how to sew? This article is the fourth 'unit' in the learning to sew article series. Follow along, let's learn how to use your sewing machine together!

Recommended read: Learning to sew article series

Here are some of the main topics that you’ll want to know about fabric, that you’ll need to know to sew on fabric.


   - There are different types of fabric 

You most likely know that there are tons of different types of fabrics, from denim in jeans to polyester in dry-fit shirts. 

The most common fabric used for sewing is cotton, it is probably one of the easiest materials to sew with too! Even just saying “cotton” fabric is quite vague because there are a few different types of cotton fabric, for example, quilting cotton and cotton jersey fabric. 

Quilting cotton: 100% cotton, has a plain weave and often keeps its shape after being washed. It is the most common type of fabric to be used when sewing and tends to not stretch. Quilting cotton is also the fabric recommended to be used in handmade masks. 

I recommend that beginners start by sewing with quilting cotton rather than any other type of fabric.


   - Tension 

Tension is very tricky; it has the potential to easily screw up your project. I recommend only changing the tension if you have to!

Here are the steps that I recommend taking before changing the tension: 

  • Clean the race 
  • Rethread the upper thread
  • Make sure the bobbin is not upside down
  • Rethread the bobbin
  • Make sure the needle is placed in the machine correctly
  • Make sure the presser foot is on correctly
  • Make sure you are using the correct stitch (explained below)
  • Rethread the needle
  • Replace the needle
  • Replace the bobbin 
  • Replace the upper thread
Recommended read: How to understand tension

   - Presser foot

It is quite common for new sewers to be unaware that they need to lower the presser foot. You can do this by lowering the presser foot lever. If you don’t lower the presser foot, the threads will get bunched up, the fabric will stay in place and the needle might break. 

   - Make sure you use the correct stitch

You might not know this, but each stitch on your machine is meant to be used for different purposes. For example, decorative stitches, on a certain type of fabric, topstitching, to allow for stretch, etc. 

Recommended read: What is topstitching

If you are sewing a stretchy fabric like stretch cotton or some types of fleeces, you will want to use a stretchy stitch, for example, the zig-zag stitch.

If you sew a straight stitch on a stretchy fabric, when the fabric is stretched or pulled, the stitches will all come out and break. 

If you are sewing quilting cotton, you only need to use the default stitch known as the straight stitch. Just make sure that you are reverse stitching. 

   - Reverse stitching

When sewing on fabric, you should almost always use a reverse/reinforcement stitch. This will ensure that your stitches do not start coming undone. 

-----------

Once you're ready, head on over to 'unit 5' where you will learn to sew a straight line on fabric!


Recommended: Learn sewing

Recommended: Sewing projects


Leave a comment below and let me know if you learned more about fabrics! And don't forget to subscribe to stay up to date with all of Lizzsews new articles. See you next time!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 Things You Need To Start Machine Embroidery Today

By Lizzsews
 This article is brought to you by  Lizzsews . How to start machine embroidery! Here’s everything that you need to get started with machine embroidery! Without spending too much! Are you interested in sewing? Recommended read:  10 things you'll need to start sewing! 1. You are going to need an embroidery machine . You can use any embroidery machine you want. Here are a couple of examples: The Brother se600. This machine can do both sewing and embroidery, and is the best budget embroidery machine! I highly suggest this machine. The brother pe550D! This is an embroidery-only machine, with awesome Disney embroidery designs! The brother se1900. I recommend the Brother brand for sewing and embroidery machines. To note here: determine your budget, determine how much you have to spend on embroidery supplies (and blanks ) and how much you have to spend on your machine. Purchase the largest embroidery hoop that you can afford! The se600 is an amazing machine and I highly recomm
6 comments
Read more

8 Reasons Why Your Upper Thread Is Shredding On Your Embroidery Machine

By Lizzsews
 This article is brought to you by  Lizzsews . Here are some reasons why your top thread might be shredding while you’re embroidering! Starting machine embroidery is definitely a challenge, and troubleshooting is hard.  Recommended read: 10 Things you need to start machine embroidery today Often when your top thread is shredding, it’s caused by when the thread goes through the eye of the needle or while it’s going through the thread guides.  1. A dull or bent needle How long has it been since you’ve changed that needle? It might be time to swap it out! A needle only lasts about 8-10 hours of stitching, this amount of time may vary depending on what you are making. It’s good to have lots of needles on hand. Recommended read: When should I change the needle for machine embroidery 2. Are you using the right needle for the project? Are you embroidering heavier fabrics? Like denim or leather? If so, you’ll want to use a heavier needle size like 90/14. If you’re just embroidering mid-weight
Post a Comment
Read more

Guide To The Three Main Machine Embroidery Stabilizers

By Lizzsews
 This article is brought to you by  Lizzsews . Here is everything that you need to know about the three main machine embroidery stabilizers. Stabilizers are important in machine embroidery; they prevent puckering and support the fabric.  The stabilizer goes underneath the fabric you are embroidering. Although there are some stabilizers that will go on top of certain types of fabric, this is called a topper.  A bottom stabilizer is always needed, you can never embroider without stabilizer, but a stabilizer topper is only needed for certain blanks. The three main types of stabilizers are cutaway, tearaway, and wash away.  The first is a cutaway stabilizer. A cutaway stabilizer can be used on clothes and many different types of fabric. The cutaway stabilizer is permanent and is mainly designed for knit fabric. It is non-woven and helps get rid of pulled or sagging stitches.  The cutaway stabilizer has a lot of stretch resistance and stays intact after wearing, using, and launderin
1 comment
Read more