With the right tools, it is easy to learn how to sew sequin trim quickly and easily with your regular sewing machine. If you don't have the time or patience to hand sew sequins, you can purchase sequin trims and learn sewing sequins by machine.
What is Sequin Trim?
Sequin sewing trim has soft sequins that are designed to be sewn through on your machine. It will, however, dull your machine needles quickly, so replace them after you have finished your project.
This tutorial will show you how to sew sequin trim with a straight or zig-zag stitch to get different effects.
What You Will Need to Sew Sequins by Machine
- Sequin Trim - These come in different sequin sizes and colors. Most sequin trim does not stretch but you can also purchase stretch trim best suited if you are attaching it to leotards or other stretch garments.
- Needles - Strong, sharp, machine needles. Try a size 14 or 16 universal needles
- Thread - Matching thread.
As always, there is more than one method you can use for sewing sequins by machine - sewing on sequins by machine can be done with a straight or zig-zag stitch.
How to Sew Sequins by Machine with a Straight Stitch
Step 1: Pin the Sequin Trim
Pin or glue the trim in place. Whichever method you use, make sure it does not leave marks on the trim. I generally mark the fabric with the path the trim will follow then place a couple of spots of clear fabric glue at strategic points.
Step 2: Sewing on Sequins by Machine
Place the trim under your foot with the raised edges facing you and right side up. This will make it much easier to sew, as the edges won’t get caught as you sew along.
Straight stitch through the center of the sequins. This will make holes through the sequins, so make sure you are stitching straight!
Use a fairly long stitch length to minimize the perforations through your trim.
Try a length of 3.0 and see how it looks. If you are using a small sequin, you may be able to get the stitch to pierce through the center of each sequin, making it almost invisible.
Sewing on Sequins by Machine with a Zig-Zag Stitch
If you have a narrow piece of sequin trim you may be able to zig-zag over it without piercing the trim.
Your stitch width will depend on the width of the sequins. You want the stitches to pierce the fabric on either side of the trim. I quite like the look of this, but you do need to sew very accurately.
The added thread can also reduce the shine of the sequins, so just test a little piece of trim first to choose the best method of sewing on sequins by machine.
How to Sew Sequin Trim by Machine - In Conclusion
If you are really going for a perfect finish, you could use the handwheel to accurately do each stitch. Personally, I think that defeats the purpose of using your machine as it slows you down considerably.
If you need an absolutely perfect-looking stitch, you might be better off going back to hand-stitching individual sequins instead of sewing sequins by machine.
All done – what will you be putting sequins on? Share your ideas below.
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