How?

[southernbelle04]

Ok you sewing pros, I have a question. It's probably silly but it's been on my mind for some time. I keep eyeballing the fabric section where fabric like this is:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1104195...Costume+fabric

I've wanted to try it out but I am not quite sure the proper way to sew with this? Would I use a ballpoint needle? And what about ironing down seams? I just have ths fear of melting those little shimmery dots with my iron. Lol. Any particular rules for cutting this out when using a pattern? Any advice?

Thanks!

[rubymoon2072]

i dont ususally iron delicate fabric like this. say if im doing a bodice i actually cut it in a square size larger than the patter lining piece and then cut the lining as usual to the pattern. then lay both right sides together and sew it together and then trim the delicate fabric down to the pattern size. they have a special foot for my machine to actually sew if you are doing a seam where you dont have to iron it it pulls it in to make the seam sorta folds it ova. sorry if i am not explaining this correctly.

[kjc]

Ballpoint= Universal, so when in doubt use ballpoint.

Most fabric sellers state the fabric care in the description: 'Hand wash in cold water only, lay flat to dry. Do not put in dryer, do not iron and do not dry clean. It will loosen the glue on the sequence and they will come off.'

Maybe use some fabric glue on any seams you really need to lay a certain way. Take a swatch and play with it to see how much heat it will withstand under the iron, sometimes an ironing cloth will offer some protection to more delicate fabrics... dry or damp...

[Lil Sis]

just to add my thoughts.

You would only press on the underside

I would recomend french seams

If I think of anything else Ill be back

[Verbena]

That fabric can gum up your needle so either use Sewer's Aid and lightly soak your spool of thread with it and there is no need to do the bobbin. Or you can use a coated needle. I use Schmetz Gold Embroidery Needle 130/705 H-ET.On the front of the package it says in fine print, Titanium Nitride.

If you are going to press make sure no steam and use a hanky over it. The dots come off and can make a mess of your iron.

I hate sewing this fabric. lol I had to make a mermaid costume. I hope this can help

[southernbelle04]

Thanks guys! You are so helpful. I may give it a try one day when I feel like I have lots of extra patience. Lol

[DBlain]

that is the fabric I used for the bodice of those flapper dresses I just made, here are some things I learned from trial and error.
1. The fabric does not fray that bad but the edges curl like crazy
2. The fabric is thin and stretchy

So these are some of the things I did. I used interfacing between the bodice and the lining, I bought the medium weight press on type and cut it so it would not be inside the seams and pressed it on to the lining (LOL I think it was the lining) I used a cotton lining with a decent weight. This D fabric is not something I would want to attach a D ring to. So I made a button hole so a step in harness could be worn underneath it. I added a heavier weight interfacing pressed on top of the other interfacing around the area that the button hole would be sewn. This helped make a nice clean and strong button hole. Because the fabric curls a lot, I cut it longer anywhere I needed to fold over and press like the opening of the bottom of the bodice. When making the second of the two dresses I sewed bias tape along the bottom of the bodice which made folding it over much easier. I did press it but on the reverse with a light piece of cotton fabric on top of it. The fabric would not be great for long skirts, unless they were lined with both interfacing and a lining.

I have a tutu dress where the bodice fabric is made with this dot fabric from Bella's. She did not add interfacing between the dot fabric and the lining and you can see and feel the difference. When it comes to the satins and other delicate fabrics I have started to use interfacing and I think it makes a difference. Hope I helped a bit.

thankfully my needle held up, but the bodices were not that big, perhaps with a lot more sewing of this type of fabric I would try a different needle.

[southernbelle04]

Thanks Donna! That helps a lot!!!

AND those are gorgeous!!!!

[Ldyrev1]

I just bought some of this fabric to use as the ruffled top of a skirt over the regular fabric. I thought it might add some pizzaz. I planned on not ironing it at all. The dress can be ironed but I would even try on the other.

[My lil friend]

Anytime I have sewn on this type of fabric I have used 'sew in' interfacing if any is needed. The sequins are applyed by heat so ironing may not be a good idea. I sewed with a sharp needle for fine fabrics.

[jadabug]

Originally Posted by Verbena

That fabric can gum up your needle so either use Sewer's Aid and lightly soak your spool of thread with it and there is no need to do the bobbin. Or you can use a coated needle. I use Schmetz Gold Embroidery Needle 130/705 H-ET.On the front of the package it says in fine print, Titanium Nitride.

If you are going to press make sure no steam and use a hanky over it. The dots come off and can make a mess of your iron.

I hate sewing this fabric. lol I had to make a mermaid costume. I hope this can help

LOL I made my granddaughter a mermaid costume out of this type fabric also...NEVER AGAIN!! It is a PITA to work with. I wish I had known about the sewer's aid, it would gum up my needle in two seconds flat. Thank goodness I only used the fabric for the bodice. I had to keep taking my needle out and clean it with rubbing alcohol to remove the glue build up.

[rilysmom]

Originally Posted by jadabug

[/B]
LOL I made my granddaughter a mermaid costume out of this type fabric also...NEVER AGAIN!! It is a PITA to work with. I wish I had known about the sewer's aid, it would gum up my needle in two seconds flat. Thank goodness I only used the fabric for the bodice. I had to keep taking my needle out and clean it with rubbing alcohol to remove the glue build up.

I agree. I love it, but hard to work with.