If your comfort is confined to sewing only cotton fabric, it is time to step out of your zone and learn about Faux Suede, Fur and Leather fabrics. These fabrics are made to look and feel like their real counterparts. When sewing these fabrics, use paper clips, bobby pins or metal hair clips instead of pins to hold the fabric together.
Faux Suede is made of synthetic polyester. There are two types. Ultrasuede is the heavier version and is suitable for home décor. Facile is a lightweight suede and works well for garments. These fabrics can be preshrunk by machine washing in warm water. For the Lightweight Facile, use a 75/11 Stretch needle or a 70/10 Jeans/Denim needle. For the heavyweight Ultrasuede, use an 80/12 Jeans/Denim needle. Use a Walking or Teflon Presser foot when sewing.
Faux Leather looks and feels like soft leather. You can buy it in a variety of colors and textures. It must be preshrunk to prevent skipped stitches. Machine wash warm and leave in dryer for a few minutes. A Teflon presser foot will make it easy for fabric to glide as you sew. If you do not have this foot, then use a piece of wax paper under the Presser foot and sew over it as you seam the fabric. The wax paper easily tears from the stitches once you have completed sewing. Use 75/11 Stretch needles with a 2.5 mm stitch length.
Faux Fur is very popular as seen in so many of today’s garments and fashion accessories. It is also a trendy home décor fabric. Fur can be cut with the seam allowance. Use hair clippers to cut away excess bulk. You can preshrink in cold war and use a no-heat setting when drying. Use 80/12 Universal needles. If the fur has stiff backing, use 90/14 Universal needles. A Roller or Walking presser foot works best. When finishing the seam, brush outside of the seams in the direction of the fur. Sew fur with a zigzag stitch.
Preview the Blugirl fashion show video for inspiration as the models display the beauty of Faux Fur jackets and fashion accessories.
You may purchase Faux fabrics at Fabric Yard Dallas. They are located at 3237 Commander Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006 or call 972-392-4445.
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