Sewing with Embroidered and Sequined fabrics

[bernolf]

Wow I'm so glad i found Stitcher's Guild. 
I have these fabulous sequined and embroidered fabrics for 2 years now, and of course the stigma of working with these fabrics are fading. I want the challenge again.

But i need help to do it properly...from cutting the  fabric till to the end ( this means using my Brother Super-Ace for this project and of course having some hand sewing involved also would not be bad...)

here is my first project. I never wore this dress it was supposed to be a wedding dress instead I wore a Malaysian dress that day.
the dress - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851337@N05/3468106948/
fabric details -  http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851337@N05/3467293721/
fabric details - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851337@N05/3468107710/

I broke 6 needles with this dress.

The fabrics for the next project.
Brown-http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851337@N05/3467297307/
brown pattern -http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851337@N05/3468111448/

Lime - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851337@N05/3468113134/
lime pattern - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851337@N05/3467299207/

Black -http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851337@N05/3468111882/
Black pattern - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12851337@N05/3467298933/

 
My question what are the best dress design for sequined/embroidered fabrics?
What are the complete process for sewing these kind of fabrics?
 Your suggestions would be appreciated!!!

 

[Liana]

Beautiful fabrics!  And of course I must ask where you got them?  You're very adventurous.

I think breaking needles is just a given with this kind of fabric.  You can remove sequins from the seamline and allowances before stitching, and that will help, but I think you are just going to break needles with this kind of thing.  With beads you can use a pliers or hammer (carefully) to break the beads in the SAs without unstitching them and loosening all the others, but I'm not sure that works with sequins, or that you'd like the results.  I think you'd probably get a lot of little sharp sequin pieces poking you.

You can use any pattern you like for this kind of fabric.  I'm not sure there's any particular style that's to be avoided at all costs or anything.  There is a good book by Susan Khalje about sewing wedding and evening gowns which of course covers the kind of fabric you're asking about.  There's also lots of info in old Threads magazines if you have access to a collection.  Your library may have them if you don't.

I'm sure you'll get lots more answers once everyone stops drooling over your gorgeous fabrics. 

[BeeBee]

I think I shorted out my keyboard drooling over these!  Wow, absolutely gorgeous!   
I guess, for me , the obvious answers are by hand or going very slowly - you can at least move out the way the items on the top that way.  But you'll still be at risk for breakage from the items on the bottom piece. 
Me?  I'd just carry it around and look at it.  I'd be afraid to touch it, probably get pepperoni grease on it. 

[CanAndi]

Hi there,

I just struggled through this very issue and received a very good suggestion which worked like a charm.
Using a mallet, gently hammer along the seamlines.  Not only will this break any beading without damaging the threads, but it will also serve to make the sequins behave a little better under the needle.
After breaking several needles, it also serves as great therapy! 
**Be sure to wear safety glasses**

Another thing that I found very helpful was the use of a sturdier needle.  The fine needles I was using based on the sheer fabric were bent and broken in no time.  I ended up using a leather needle which seemed to have a lot more resiliency.

[bernolf]

Beautiful fabrics!  And of course I must ask where you got them?  You're very adventurous.

I think breaking needles is just a given with this kind of fabric.  You can remove sequins from the seamline and allowances before stitching, and that will help, but I think you are just going to break needles with this kind of thing.  With beads you can use a pliers or hammer (carefully) to break the beads in the SAs without unstitching them and loosening all the others, but I'm not sure that works with sequins, or that you'd like the results.  I think you'd probably get a lot of little sharp sequin pieces poking you.

You can use any pattern you like for this kind of fabric.  I'm not sure there's any particular style that's to be avoided at all costs or anything.  There is a good book by Susan Khalje about sewing wedding and evening gowns which of course covers the kind of fabric you're asking about.  There's also lots of info in old Threads magazines if you have access to a collection.  Your library may have them if you don't.

I'm sure you'll get lots more answers once everyone stops drooling over your gorgeous fabrics. 

Hi Liana,

Even I, cannot stop drooling over them but the stigma, the stigma...I am starting to sweat just thinking about it!!! Every time I go thru all my stash away closet I'm just  to see the fabric again.

As for your question where i got the fabrics, could you believe i got it from a Lagos, Nigeria in a local market. Someone told me the fabrics came from either Dubai or India. It was then $15 per yard.I have no idea that time what I am getting into.

As for your suggestions about the Threads magazine i'll try to find some, since for now I'm based in Nigeria. But thanks for the info.

JUST for FYI i'll be posting lots of LOCAL Nigeria clothe from DA DIVA Collection. Here is there website www.da-viva.com.

[bernolf]

Me?  I'd just carry it around and look at it.  I'd be afraid to touch it, probably get pepperoni grease on it. 

HA HA HA HA

Ohh my I've been doing that for two years!!!

[bernolf]

Hi there,

I just struggled through this very issue and received a very good suggestion which worked like a charm.
Using a mallet, gently hammer along the seamlines.  Not only will this break any beading without damaging the threads, but it will also serve to make the sequins behave a little better under the needle.
After breaking several needles, it also serves as great therapy! 
**Be sure to wear safety glasses**

Another thing that I found very helpful was the use of a sturdier needle.  The fine needles I was using based on the sheer fabric were bent and broken in no time.  I ended up using a leather needle which seemed to have a lot more resiliency.

Thank you for the info i'll try it and hopefully I'll be able to persevere!!! I just hope i'll finish the project; before i'll jump to an easier one like sewing silk yay...