Specialty Apparel

Learn All You Need To Know About Specialty Apparel Fabrics

Specialty fabrics come in all shapes, sizes, colours and fabric fibres. They are purchased by many experienced crafters who want to make something unique and spectacular. If this is the first time you have come across specialty fabrics, be sure to read through our guide below.

What Are Specialty Fabrics?

A specialty fabric stands out considerably from standard cotton or wool. It is made with fabric fibres such as nylon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide, and many other synthetic fibres. On top of that, these synthetic fabric fibres can also be blended with natural fibres - this makes sure that the fabric adopts some of the positive properties of natural fabric fibres.

Since there are many specialty fabric fibres to choose from, Spotlight has created a guide with some common speciality fabrics and their characteristics. Be sure to check each of these fabrics for some handy sewing tips.

How To Sew With Satin?

Satin is one of the most popular speciality fabrics. While it is not the hardest fabric to work with, there are some things to consider before you start.

When you sew with satin, always remember that needle marks can be a real problem for this kind of fabric. Therefore, it is vital that you choose the right needle for your satin project.

One of the biggest problems with satin is that your fabric can snag on it when you use the wrong needle. If a standard needle snags while you sew, make sure you switch to a much smaller needle. Remember, there is no way to fix snags in your fabric, so needle selection is vital.

For satin, you also want to turn down the tension on your thread. As the material is sensitive to needle marks, higher tension can cause bigger holes and may cause your seams to show sooner rather than later. So, reduce the tension and choose the right needle to avoid these common problems during your project.

How To Sew With Faux Fur?

Faux fur is notoriously difficult to work with, but it puts such beautiful accents on a variety of garments. Now, let us look at some much-needed tips for faux fur fabric sewing.

Before you start working with faux fur, always make sure you brush the fur. Even if you purchase high quality faux fur, this material will always have some loose fabric fibres. If you brush it beforehand, you ensure that there are no loose fibres left.

Cutting faux fur can be a bit tricky too, as incorrect cutting can cause the material to stick up and become tufty. So, always make sure you cut the faux fur in the right direction for the smoothest finish.

When you sew your faux fur, make sure you always sew in the direction of the nap. Sewing against the nap will cause an uneven and unfinished result. To ensure you keep sewing in the right direction, always mark the back of your faux fur with some chalk.

Even advanced crafters should remember that faux fur is not that easy to incorporate in a project, so always choose simpler patterns for faux fur. This material is also a little thicker, so you will need the appropriate sewing machine and sewing needles to penetrate the material well.

How To Sew Netting?

Netting is available in various fabric fibres, including nylon. When you stitch this kind of material for the first time, you may feel a little intimidated. But don't, because with the right skills, you can stitch netting as easily as one, two, three.

When you sew netting, make sure you always use a looped stitch. In addition to that, you also need the right kind of thread. Your thread should always match the material, so choosing a durable upholstery thread will always be the best choice.

Crafters who are sewing with netting must also ensure they have the right sewing machine. Some sewing machines will not have the strength to stitch netting, so you must make sure your sewing machine can handle it.

Before finishing your project, make sure you stitch the edges of your netting one more time. The edges are often the first thing to unravel, so adding more stitches will strengthen the material.

Discover The Specialty Fabrics At Spotlight

Are you ready to start working with some speciality fabrics? If you are, be sure to check out the exquisite collection of speciality fabrics at Spotlight. Our range includes anything from satin and faux fur to netting, so you will find what you need when you browse our catalogue.

At Spotlight, you always get the best deals on fabrics - this includes our specialty apparel fabrics. Check out our specialty apparel fabrics today and benefit from our great prices and amazing deals on quality fabrics.