Velvet & trim sewing tips

[sstormwatch]

Taking a small break from sewing, to write down a few thoughts to remember, more like sewing tips for working on velvet.

• Use a walking foot when sewing on velvet, whenever possible.
• When pinning trim to velvet, use lots of pins, at least an 1" apart, along both sides if it is wide, then machine sew over all pins before removing them. Hand basting or hand sewing would be ideal if you have the time (which I don't).
• When using wide trim, make sure bobbin thread matches top thread which matches background of trim, otherwise, little dots of thread appear if the tension isn't just perfect.
• When sewing cording, don't pin, just guide along while using a beading/pearl foot. Use thread that matches background fabric for bobbin, and lingerie thread for top thread, then zig-zag into place.
• Provide gentle tension while pinning and sewing trims onto velvet, or it will pucker ever so annoyingly. It may do so anyway.
• If needed, use Steam-a-Seam narrow tape to iron baste the trim into place. Removes need for pins, but can be expensive to use for wider trims that need tape along both sides.
• Take breaks at least once an hour, or risk sewing fatigue.

Yeah, break time is over. Time to switch music and go for another round.