There are many things you can do to make sewing thick fabric easier.Strong sewing tools will help you move through fabrics like denim, wool, canvas, or leather.There are several stitches that are good for thicker fabrics.Your thick fabric will be sewn in no time with the help of some helpful tools.
Step 1: A bigger needle is a size 4 or larger.
There are different sizes of needles for different types of fabric.Pick out a needle that is about a size 4 so that it will work with thicker fabrics.You can find the needle's size written on the packaging at a craft store.On the packaging, many needles will tell you which type of fabric is best for.A size 3 needle works well for leather, while a size 4 needle is best for denim.If you want to pierce heavy fabrics like vinyl or leather, choose a wedge-point needle and use a sharp tip.
Step 2: If you want to sew your fabric, use upholstery or heavy duty thread.
The thicker the fabric, the better the thread will be for it to not tear.Look for threads that are similar to your project.Pick a color that matches your fabric.
Step 3: For sewing thick fabric, try using a sewing awl.
A sewing awl makes sewing thick fabric much simpler.Feed the thread through the awl.If you want to pull the thread out from the bottom of the fabric, you can punch a hole all the way through it with the needle.You can use a sewing awl to work with leather or canvas.
Step 4: To make it easier to slide your thread through the thick fabric, wax it.
Buying wax for your thread is called thread conditioner.To make the thread slick, slide it through the wax.It will be easier for the thread to move through the thick fabric.Pull the thread out of the needle.
Step 5: You can protect your finger from the sewing needle with a thimble.
It is easy to pierce your finger with the needle when sewing by hand.To protect your finger from accidental pokes, sew a thimble on your pointer finger and wear it on the other hand.There's a chance you'll find a thimble at a local craft store.
Step 6: A backstitch is a simple stitch.
If you want to do a backstitch, you have to poke your needle through the fabric.Pull the needle back up through the fabric about 1 cm away from the original stitch.Next to your first stitch, loop back down into the fabric and repeat the pattern for the backstitch.The backstitch is a great way to hold thick fabric in place.
Step 7: You can join fabric that's very thick with a catch stitch.
A catchstitch is made by sewing zig zags next to one another in a line along the fabric's edge.The catch stitches need to overlap the folded edge of the fabric.
Step 8: If you want to quickly sew thick fabric, try a baste stitch.
The needle and thread should be in and out of the fabric in a straight line.If you want to make a quick and easy baste stitch, leave about 1 cm between the stitches.The baste stitch is not a heavy duty option, but it will keep your fabric together.
Step 9: The edges of thick fabric should be covered by a bias bound seam.
You can find bias binding at a craft store.To hide the bias binding, sew it onto the edge of the thick fabric.A smooth edge can be created with this method.
Step 10: For an invisible sewing job, you should use a French seam.
You can make a French seam by sewing the seam on the inside of your project.To hide the sides that are facing one another, fold your fabric and sew a seam down them.Attach your fabric along the seam, iron it, and sew another seam to finish it off.You can use pins to hold the fabric in place.
Step 11: Keep the folds and edges in place by ironing them.
If you want the thick fabric to stay folded, you have to crease it with an iron.To protect your fabric, place a cloth between it and the iron.Before using the iron, lay the cloth on top of the folded edges.You don't want to burn yourself if you touch the hot sections of the iron.
Step 12: You can use pins to hold the folds together.
To hold a folded edge or several pieces of fabric together, push pins through the thick fabric.Place the pins through the fabric before you start sewing and then remove them once you've sewn that specific area.When you push the pin through the fabric, be careful not to poke yourself with it.
Step 13: If your fabric is thick, hold the folds with clips.
If you are trying to hold together a lot of fabric, regular binder clips can be very useful.Attach the clips to the area you want to sew and then remove them once you are done sewing.You could use clips to hold the folded edge of the thick fabric so you can sew a hem.
Step 14: To flatten and smooth thick seams, hit them with a rubber mallet.
If your seams cross with another seam, they may feel bulky.To flatten the fabric, tap the seam with a hammer or mallet.The seam is not so thick if you smooth it out a few times.