Sewing with super stretch fabrics can be intimidating for even the most experienced seamstresses. These materials, such as lycra or ITY, can be unforgiving when it comes to mistakes, and can easily result in a less-than-perfect finished product. However, with a few key tips and tricks, you can successfully sew with super stretch fabrics at home and create garments that are both comfortable and stylish.
Today, I'll share 5 essential tips for sewing super stretch fabrics, so you can take your sewing skills to the next level and tackle these tricky materials with confidence. I used these tips to create drapey, form-fitting dress from stretchy ITY fabric, which you can also recreate using this tutorial:
This post is created in partnership with needle industry experts - Organ Needles.
Organ Needles are one of the leading brands in needle industry, with over 100 years of expertise in needle making.
Organ Needles have a wide range of products and you can find a right needle for any type of project that you have on hand - even for tricky materials like super stretch fabrics. I've been using Organ Needles for several years in all of my machines - industrial sewing machine, domestic sewing machine, embroidery machine and serger. It's easy to recommend them as I use them regularly and their needle quality speaks for itself!
5 tips for sewing super stretch fabrics
Tip #1: cut fabric on single layer.
Super stretch fabrics are quite difficult to cut as they constantly move. To get better, more accurate results, cut these fabrics on single layer instead of the fold - this way, the fabric will move less and will be easier to manage.
Tip #2: use Jersey or Super Stretch needle.
Using a suitable needle is one of the keys to getting great results when sewing super stretch fabrics. Organ Needles Jersey and Super Stretch needles have rounded tips, so they slip between fabric threads instead of cutting through them, ensuring best seam results.
Organ Needles Super Stretch needles have thickened eye section which continuously enlarges penetration area. Combined with specially formed scarf, it helps avoid skipped stitches, which is one of the common troubles when sewing super stretch fabrics. Use these needles when sewing fabrics like Lycra, latex, sportswear or other elastic fabrics.
Tip #3: use twin needle to create elastic hem.
Heming elastic fabrics without coverlock machine can be tricky, but you can use twin needle to solve this issue. From right side of the garment, twin needle creates two rows of stitches, and from the inside of the garment it creates a zigzag that gives seam its elasticity.
Organ Needles have two options of twin needles: for woven fabrics and for stretch fabrics. To sew super stretch fabrics, use Twin stretch needle. When selecting twin needle, pay attention to the needle size and width between needles, to create the look you want.
Tip #4: use elastic thread.
If you want to sew stretch fabrics on domestic sewing machine, aside from right needle, you also need elastic thread. This thread has more elasticity than standard sewing thread and allows you to create elastic seams with standard straight seam, no special stitches required.
Tip #5: use lightweight, elastic fusible interfacing.
To stabilize super stretch fabrics, use lightweight fusible interfacing that has stretch. This interfacing will stabilize the fabric without creating bulk and maintains fabric elasticity.
I hope you enjoyed reading these tips and learned something new. Make sure to check my Youtube tutorial to learn how to sew a dress using super stretch fabric!
Best wishes,
Julie