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From: wild800
Date: 10-27-2004, 04:02 PM (1 of 5)
| Hi, I am new to this site, and am a beginner at sewing (sort of)...I make christmas stockings (numerous) every year for a Santa project that I am involved in but have only made a few clothing items, vests and shirts. I have purchased a pattern and the fabric to make a new Santa suit...ours is over 40 years old...and I am wondering if the velvet is going to be a big problem. Do any of you have any advice? Should I use a special size needle on my machine? Are there any tricks? |
User: wild800
Member since: 10-27-2004 Total posts: 48 
|
From: HHH
Date: 10-27-2004, 05:22 PM (2 of 5)
|
I'm fairly new to this site too, so welcome from another newbie. You'll find this place extremely helpful and friendly, so don't go away once your velvet questions are answered! Velvet can be a PIA. Your needle size and stitch length will depend on the type and weight of the fabric, but the most important thing I would advise is a walking foot. Depending on your machine brand it could be called an even-feed foot and I think every manufacturer offers one. There are also after-market versions, but I'd stick with the (more expensive) original equipment. There are other tricks & tweaks to keep velvet from driving you over the edge, but IMO the walking foot is the biggie. Keep checking back, you'll get lots more good info from the folks here! |
User: HHH
Member since: 02-10-2004 Total posts: 87 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-27-2004, 07:47 PM (3 of 5)
First----- and most important----- do you understand that velvet has a nap..?? this means you have to lay all pattern pieces in same direction on this type of material.. That means all tops are in the same direction.. If you don't , when they are sewn together the fabric will look like 2 different colors sewn together... Your instruction page will have a diagram layout that says for fabrics 'with nap'... This is the layout you must use to cut out the pattern pieces.... 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 10-27-2004, 09:04 PM (4 of 5)
| I have had so much trouble with velvet trying to keep it from shifting that I think the next time I use it I will baste all the seams by hand before putting it on the machine and yes I did use a walking foot, and it was only cushions but what a pain!! |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: wild800
Date: 10-28-2004, 09:52 PM (5 of 5)
| Thanks for the advice...I am going to get started tomorrow as I have the next four days off from work. The basting sounds like a good idea, and I think I have a walking foot...going to have to have a look in my box. I will be sure to keep the nap straight. |
User: wild800
Member since: 10-27-2004 Total posts: 48
|
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