How to Sew Two Pieces of Fabric Together
It’s crucial to know how to sew two pieces of fabric together, and this article will show you how to do it by hand or with a sewing machine. The type of fabric you use also affects how you sew, so don’t be afraid to try new things.
Should You Hand Sew Or Use a Sewing Machine?
Sewing machines are both faster and neater than hand sewing, and most machines come with a manual to help you navigate the different settings. Once you’re familiar with your machine, you may never want to hand sew again.
Fabric
It’s not always easy to sew two pieces of fabric together, but using scraps can help you learn faster.
Sewing machine
Some sewing machines include a built-in cutter, so you won’t have to search for scissors to cut fabric.
Needle and Thread
Simply ensure that your needle is sharp and the correct size for the material you’re working with; a blunt needle will make your learning curve steeper and more frustrating.
Pins or Clips
Pinning fabric together can be difficult, especially if you don’t have both hands free; this is where pins or clips come in handy to keep the fabric in place and allow you to concentrate on sewing it together. Whether you use a sewing machine or a needle and thread, the fabric must be kept still and level.
Scissors
If your thread is new, breaking it will be difficult; use scissors to snip off any unwanted thread tails and tidy up your project.
Iron
Sewing two pieces of fabric together creates seams; if you’re making clothes, it’s important that your seams don’t cause unnecessary bulk; ironing them flat will keep them neat, eliminating the issue of unsightly wrinkles and bulges.
Step One – Pin Your Fabric Together
If you’re using clips, they can only go one way if they’re attached to the fabric. Pinning fabric can be done in one of two ways: horizontally from the edge of the fabric across into the body or vertically.
Step Two – Thread Your Needle
Sewing machines come with thread guides and some even have an automatic needle threader, but tying a knot at the end is up to you; a simple one will suffice to keep your thread from pulling through the fabric as you sew.
Step Three – Check Your Fabric
Make sure your pins are in place and that both pieces are flush with each other; if there are any wrinkles or creases, smooth them out with extra care.
Step Four – Secure Your Thread
With a sewing machine, lower the foot onto the end of your fabric where you want the seam to begin, hold the threads lightly in your left hand, and press the pedal with your right foot. Modern machines have a reverse button; if you don’t know where it is, check your manual.
Step Five – Sew Your Seam
Remember to remove the pins or clips as you reach them and keep an eye on the size of your seam. Sewing machines have a handy guide to help you keep your stitches straight, but you can also use tailor’s chalk to sketch the line you need to sew.
Step Six – Finish!
Finish your seam the same way you started it: if you’re using a sewing machine, back tack over your last few stitches, raise the foot, and cut the thread; if you’re using a hand sewing machine, tie another knot or work the ends of your thread into your previous stitches.
Troubleshooting Your Sewing
It’s not always easy to sew two pieces of fabric together, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Fabric Type
Slippery fabrics, such as silk, require an experienced hand and a lot of clips and walking feet, and if your project calls for leather, you’ll need the right thread and a specialized needle.
Pinning and Clipping
Pins and clips both hold your fabric together, but if the needle hits a pin while sewing, it may break. There’s nothing worse than getting halfway through a project and realizing your pins slipped or you didn’t quite catch both layers of fabric with your clips.
Wrinkled Fabric
Sewing a perfect project hinges on one crucial point: make sure your two pieces of fabric are flush together as you pin or clip them together. Ironing the fabric before you begin will help, but keep in mind that it’s a material that doesn’t melt under heat.
Conclusion
Every sewing project starts with sewing two pieces of fabric together. Take your time and practice with scrap fabric, especially if you’re working with an unfamiliar material, and you’ll be sewing seams like a pro in no time.
How do you keep fabric together when sewing?
Baste the fabric in place with fusible tape (a very narrow tape is usually perfect to hold fabric in place while it’s flat on the ironing board and make it stay put while you sew it). Use a light application of glue on the seam allowance to hold the fabric in place while you work.
How do you sew two pieces of fabric without sewing?
Fabric Attachment Without Sewing: 5 No-Sew Options
- Fusible Tape. If you ask ten people about this topic, fusible tapes will be the first thing they recommend.
- Fusible Web. Fusible web is an alternative to fusible tapes.
- Fusible Adhesive.
- Fabric Glue.
- Hot Glue.
Why does my fabric shift when I sew?
Your feed dogs are pulling against the bottom fabric, and there isn’t enough friction between the two layers of fabric to keep them feeding at the same rate. Use more pins/clips closer together, or use a walking foot.
How do you pin pattern to fabric?
Pin as many straight pins as you need to keep the paper or tissue pattern in place on the fabric, but only through two layers at a time. Pin into pattern corners and perpendicular to straight edges, and keep pins inside the pattern lines.