If you love sewing and have completed various projects you may be like many people and have a collection of different textiles that you will want to use. It is not uncommon for sewers to collect unique fabrics in the hopes that they will find a way to use them. In the end, though, it can be difficult to tell whether a particular piece of material will work if it is not one of the ones listed on the pattern itself.
If you are not sure where to find these fabrics you may want to look in markets or in ethnic shops. Some people find swatches of fabric while they travel and bring them home as a memento of their travels. If you make costumes you might also be on the look out for unique material that would work well for your next costuming project. If you do buy material while you are overseas you may love how inexpensive it is compared to what you might find at home.
Some people may not have exotic fabrics that they purchased while on vacation but may be working with vintage fabric instead. While it can be a wonderful idea to remake vintage pieces into more up to date and wearable items this may be difficult if the material is thin and fragile. You may need to consider putting it on a backing of different material or using webbing or interfacing to give it some strength.
Every commercial pattern comes with a list of fabrics that are recommended for use. If you read what the manufacturer or designer is recommending that you use you can then check your fabrics and find out which swatches will work best. Some will be chosen because they can lend structure to a garment. Others will be ideal because they fall in graceful folds or ripples when made into a garment.
It's also helpful to figure out what qualities the fabrics listed have in common. Do they all drape and flow well? If that is the case, you will usually find that a material that has more flow or which drapes well can be used even if it is not listed on the pattern. If the piece you will be working on needs to be able to stretch you should find out whether your unique piece of material will be able to accommodate this requirement.
Older material can present other challenges besides not knowing what it is made from. Some material like lace can become very brittle and fragile. If it is not reinforced or treated carefully it can end up tearing and your project may be ruined.
Of course, if you are using material to make pillows or to slipcover furniture you will need to make sure your unique textile is thick enough and durable enough. Some materials can't be cleaned easily and this may make them a poor choice for projects such as these.
A store that sells fabric may be a great source of information. A staff member should be able to look at the material you want to use and the pattern that you will be working with. If they say it can't be used, ask why and find out if there is anything you can do to fix the situation.
If you are not sure where to find these fabrics you may want to look in markets or in ethnic shops. Some people find swatches of fabric while they travel and bring them home as a memento of their travels. If you make costumes you might also be on the look out for unique material that would work well for your next costuming project. If you do buy material while you are overseas you may love how inexpensive it is compared to what you might find at home.
Some people may not have exotic fabrics that they purchased while on vacation but may be working with vintage fabric instead. While it can be a wonderful idea to remake vintage pieces into more up to date and wearable items this may be difficult if the material is thin and fragile. You may need to consider putting it on a backing of different material or using webbing or interfacing to give it some strength.
Every commercial pattern comes with a list of fabrics that are recommended for use. If you read what the manufacturer or designer is recommending that you use you can then check your fabrics and find out which swatches will work best. Some will be chosen because they can lend structure to a garment. Others will be ideal because they fall in graceful folds or ripples when made into a garment.
It's also helpful to figure out what qualities the fabrics listed have in common. Do they all drape and flow well? If that is the case, you will usually find that a material that has more flow or which drapes well can be used even if it is not listed on the pattern. If the piece you will be working on needs to be able to stretch you should find out whether your unique piece of material will be able to accommodate this requirement.
Older material can present other challenges besides not knowing what it is made from. Some material like lace can become very brittle and fragile. If it is not reinforced or treated carefully it can end up tearing and your project may be ruined.
Of course, if you are using material to make pillows or to slipcover furniture you will need to make sure your unique textile is thick enough and durable enough. Some materials can't be cleaned easily and this may make them a poor choice for projects such as these.
A store that sells fabric may be a great source of information. A staff member should be able to look at the material you want to use and the pattern that you will be working with. If they say it can't be used, ask why and find out if there is anything you can do to fix the situation.
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