It provides superior support and stability, ensuring that your spandex garments retain their shape and durability. This high-quality stabilizer is designed specifically for use with spandex, offering excellent stretch and recovery properties. Whether you're sewing a swimsuit, yoga pants, or a dance costume, Floriani's No Show Mesh cutaway stabilizer will be your go-to solution. It’s lightweight construction ensures comfort while minimizing bulk, resulting in a seamless finish.
What Is the Best Sewing Machine Stitch for Spandex?
When it comes to sewing spandex, the best stitch to use on a sewing machine is the narrow-width zig-zag stitch. This stitch allows the fabric to stretch without causing any breakage in the thread or the material. It helps to maintain the elasticity of the spandex, allowing for a comfortable fit.
To achieve the best results, it’s recommended to try the stitch on a scrap of fabric first. Fold the fabric double and sew a narrow-width zig-zag stitch with a stitch width of 0.5 – 1.0 and a length of 3.0. This will give you an idea of how the fabric will stretch and how well the stitch holds up.
Another option to sew spandex with is the lightning stitch. This stitch resembles a lightning bolt and provides good stretch and strength. It’s great for sewing elasticized seams, hems, and finishes in spandex garments.
It creates a stretchy and durable seam that can withstand the movement and flexibility of the fabric. This stitch is commonly used for sewing swimwear, dancewear, and athletic wear made from spandex.
The triple straight stitch is a variation of the straight stitch that adds extra strength to the seam. It’s created by sewing three parallel straight stitches, which helps to prevent the seam from popping or unraveling.
Overall, the key is to choose stitches that allow for stretch and maintain the integrity of the spandex fabric.
What Type of Needle Is Best for Sewing Spandex?
When sewing spandex, it’s recommended to use a stretch needle. The stretch needle has a specially designed point that allows for easy penetration of the fabric without causing damage or snags. This type of needle helps to prevent skipped stitches and ensures a smooth and professional-looking finish. By using a stretch needle, you can achieve excellent results while sewing spandex garments or any other stretchy fabrics.
Additionally, using a stretch stitch on your sewing machine can help provide the necessary flexibility and elasticity needed for working with spandex fabrics.
What Is the Easiest Way to Sew Spandex?
Spandex is a highly elastic fabric that requires specific techniques when it comes to sewing. To ensure successful sewing, it’s crucial to have the right tools and materials at hand. One of the most important tools when sewing spandex is the needle. Jersey needles, with their ballpoint tips, are the ideal choice for spandex as they smoothly pierce through the fabric without causing any damage or skipped stitches. However, if your sewing machine offers the option, a stretch needle can also be beneficial, as it further assists in preventing skipped stitches.
To achieve clean and professional hems on spandex garments, consider using a twin needle. Twin needles consist of two needles placed side by side, allowing for parallel stitching that closely resembles the appearance of store-bought clothing. This technique is particularly useful when sewing hems on spandex, as it ensures a high-quality finish, adding durability and an overall polished look to the garment.
When handling spandex, it’s vital to take precautions to avoid stretching or distorting the fabric during the sewing process. To minimize this risk, try using tissue paper or a stabilizer underneath the fabric. This provides extra support and prevents the fabric from being pulled or stretched excessively as it’s fed through the sewing machine.
Choosing the Right Thread for Sewing Spandex and Preventing Thread Breakage
When sewing spandex fabric, it’s important to choose the right type of thread and take specific precautions to prevent thread breakage. Spandex is a stretchy material that requires a proper thread choice to ensure durability and flexibility.
To choose the right thread, look for one that’s specifically designed for stretch fabrics or has some elasticity. These threads are usually made of synthetic materials like polyester or nylon, which can withstand the strain and stretch of spandex without breaking.
Additionally, when using the sewing machine, make sure to adjust the tension settings appropriately. The tension should be set to a medium level to prevent the thread from pulling too tight and snapping. This will help maintain the integrity of the thread and prevent breakage during the sewing process.
It’s also advisable to use a ballpoint or stretch needle when sewing spandex. These needles have a rounded tip that will easily penetrate the fabric without causing damage. Using the wrong needle can lead to skipped stitches and thread breakage.
Lastly, take your time when sewing spandex and avoid pulling or stretching the fabric excessively. This can put unnecessary strain on the thread, leading to breakage. Instead, gently guide the fabric under the sewing machine to ensure a smooth and even stitch.
By choosing the right thread, adjusting tension, using the appropriate needle, and handling the fabric with care, you can successfully sew spandex without experiencing thread breakage.
In addition, using a stretch needle in combination with the Teflon presser foot is highly recommended for sewing spandex. This type of needle has a ballpoint tip that helps prevent the fabric from snagging or tearing. Together, the Teflon presser foot and stretch needle create a powerful duo for achieving clean and professional-looking seams on spandex garments.
What Is the Best Presser Foot for Spandex?
It provides a smooth and even feed, ensuring that the fabric doesn’t get stretched out or distorted during the sewing process. Another excellent option for sewing Spandex is the walking foot. This foot has a set of feed dogs on the top of the fabric, along with the regular feed dogs underneath. This double feeding system helps to feed the fabric evenly from both the top and bottom, reducing the risk of puckering or stretching.
A ballpoint or stretch needle is also crucial when sewing Spandex. These needles have a rounded tip, which helps to prevent them from piercing or snagging the fabric fibers. They’re specifically designed to sew knit fabrics without damaging them. Moreover, an overlock or serger machine is highly recommended for sewing Spandex. This machine trims the fabric edges as it sews, providing a clean and professional finish. It also helps prevent fraying and adds elasticity to the seams.
In addition to the presser foot, needle, and machine choice, it’s important to use the correct stitch for sewing Spandex. A zigzag or stretch stitch is ideal for this fabric as it allows for some stretch without breaking the stitches. It’s important to test the stitch and adjust the tension accordingly before sewing the actual project. A thread specifically designed for stretch fabrics ensures that the seams have sufficient give and won’t snap under strain.
Overall, the best presser foot for sewing Spandex would be a Teflon presser foot, followed closely by a walking foot. These feet provide smooth and even feed, preventing skipped stitches and distortion. Along with the right needle, machine, stitch, and thread, sewing spandex can be a breeze, resulting in professional-looking and durable garments.
Tips for Sewing Different Types of Spandex (i.e. Nylon Spandex, Lycra Spandex)
- Choose the right needle for sewing spandex fabrics to prevent snagging or puckering. A ballpoint needle or stretch needle is recommended.
- Use a polyester or nylon thread that’s some stretch to it, as it will provide better results and will be less likely to break while sewing.
- When cutting spandex, use sharp scissors or a rotary cutter to ensure clean, even edges.
- Consider using a walking foot or a stretch stitch on your sewing machine to help feed the fabric smoothly and prevent stretching or distortion.
- When sewing seams, use a narrow zigzag stitch or a stretch stitch to allow the fabric to stretch without breaking the stitches.
- For hems and edges, use a twin needle to create a professional-looking finish. Alternatively, you can also use a narrow zigzag stitch or a stretch stitch.
- If you’re working with very slippery spandex fabrics, consider using a fabric stabilizer or a temporary spray adhesive to keep the fabric in place during sewing.
- Before sewing on elastic, stretch it slightly to ensure a snug fit. Sew the elastic within the seam allowance or use a stretch stitch to join it securely.
- Test your sewing techniques and stitch length on a scrap piece of spandex fabric before working on your actual project.
- Be patient and take your time when sewing spandex. It may require some practice to get the hang of handling the fabric and achieving professional-looking results.
Conclusion
The quest for finding the perfect stabilizer for spandex fabric can be quite challenging due to it’s slippery nature. However, I discovered that using a cutaway stabilizer is the key to achieving optimal results. Among the various options available, Floriani's No Show Mesh cutaway stabilizer (1.5 oz) stands out as an exceptional choice. It’s ability to hide behind the material ensures a flawless and professional finish to any spandex project.