If you have decided to finally return to the function of a family sewing machine and prove yourself you can do it, be ready to face some challenges at the very beginning. One of the biggest challenges is choosing the material from which you will sew what you have imagined. Choosing a sewing material is much more complicated than you think.
One of the advantages of sewing skills, is that you will gain knowledge about fabrics. If you want your project to be god, you need to know how the fabric with which you sew is behaving. First of all, you need to know how it reacts to washing, wear, or ironing. Your time and effort come at a price, so spend time sewing wisely, and buy the best fabric for your project.
And here you are in the store, now even more confused. Dozens and dozens of rolls of different textures, colors, and designs. You start to panic, will you really be able to choose the perfect material for your project? We have selected 4 tips for choosing the right fabric for your sewing project to make fabric selection easier. Let’s go together.
Do a little research
Today, you can find a huge number of ideas and tutorials on the Internet on how to sew something. If you are not sure exactly what you want or just get started, we suggest you start your mini research. This way you will get many ideas and awaken your creativity. It will be much easier for you to choose the material if you know exactly what you want.
You can always find more ideas on Pinterest about what to sew and how. In addition to Pinterest, there are also sites that introduce you in detail to the procedure of sewing certain garments. You can also find a huge number of ideas at www.mladengarment.com which will help you come up with a detailed project development plan. See what is in trend and be modest in your desire, at least at the very beginning. You will get a huge amount of information about different fabrics, their use, etc. Extract, or even write down information that only concerns the project you are interested in.
Design your project in detail
Now that you have ideas and know what you want, it’s time to come up with a detailed project plan and program. If you are a beginner in sewing, we suggest you start with patterns. The path from the images in the head to the realization of the imagined is not at all simple. So if you are not sure, you can use patterns that you can find on the Internet or in shops specialized in sewing. Don’t set yourself a too difficult task, but start with the simplest possible project.
If you found the patterns on the Internet, stay on that website for a while. We are sure they will suggest to you the best materials for the model they put out the patterns. And if you buy it in a craft shop, ask the seller. Trust these people because, after all, it’s in their job description to provide information on which patterns go best with which material.
Once you have a well designed project, try to visualize it: identify which material would fit best and give a perfect look? Will the final product look better in light silk or heavy fabric? If you are sewing for yourself, consider both your body and shape.
What materials to avoid?
Working with some materials is a real pleasure. However, there are also those materials that are a real nightmare for every tailor. If you are new to this, you need to be familiar with the “behavior” of certain materials for your project to be successful.
It may seem very attractive and obedient at first glance, but denim can be a great temptation. If you start processing denim, count on double the strength when cutting, because this material is very hard. Inquire at nearby craft shops for special needles for this type of material. Working with this material can increase your costs, time, and effort.
Two materials that everyone simply adores because they really look irresistible are satin and silk. However, even for an experienced tailor, these two materials are a challenge. Their smooth structure is simply unattractive and trusts us, you will throw away a lot of test material before you learn how these materials behave under the needle. It will be an even bigger challenge if you want to combine some other materials with this. Here we can only tell you: good luck!
At number 3 of our material avoidance list is knitting. When you learn to work with knits, you will simply adore them, but it is better to stay away from them if you are a beginner. Knitting requires great concentration and precision. They stretch, so you need to know exactly how to adjust them and where to sew.
Cotton as the right choice?
If you are unsure about your skill, choose cotton. There is nothing wrong with it. This is the most appreciative fabric to work with and can easily fit into any project. Not too stretchy, not too smooth to run under the needle, very easy to cut and shape, just fantastic. Cotton is soft and comfortable, so you will surely love your new garment just because of the wonderful material. It is a very high quality natural material, can withstand high temperatures and lasts a very long time.
Also, it easily absorbs and releases moisture. However, there is something you need to know when working with cotton! Wash the cotton before you start the project! Cotton shrinks by nature and if you didn’t know that, it can bring your entire project into question. Another thing to take care of is that cotton should be ironed, because it is prone to creasing, especially if it is washed at very high temperatures.
To choose the highest quality cotton, we suggest you look at the declaration on the back of the roll with the material and notice details such as the number of knits or grams per square meter.
Choosing fabric for your project is really a challenge, especially for someone who has no experience. However, do not let this challenge distract you from your desire to learn to sew. Enjoy research, combining, experimenting. Distinguishing and recognizing fabrics really elevates sewing to a higher and more professional level. Pay attention to details and be sure to ask your online retailer or craft retailer. When you choose the right one, sewing becomes fun and enjoyable and your task much easier.
