How To Keep Fabric From Shifting While Sewing

Many people who have recently started with sewing find it difficult to sew a slippery fabric. At times, it becomes frustrating when the cloth keeps sliding, slipping, and shifting as you work.

Sometimes, it is said that pre-washing the fabric can help in eliminating the shifting issue. However, it is impossible to wash every piece of cloth, which is why you should look for other alternatives.

Through this guide, we are closing some exclusive processes that will help you place the fabric in position while stitching.

How To Keep Fabric From Shifting While Sewing

The common problem faced by people while sewing is the fabric keeps moving. How to stop, as our readers have told us that they haven’t come across a permanent solution.

Keeping that in mind, we did some research and have come with some excellent ways to stop this. With that, it would be easy for people to sew the clothes without getting distracted due to sliding or slipping.

Be with us and read through this step-by-step procedure to stop that. We are sure that the process will assist you when you start sewing the next time.

Method 1: Change The Sewing Machine Settings For Slipper Fabric

Step 1: First of all, check if the sewing machine you are using has the proper settings or not. By making the necessary changes, you can keep the cloth from slipping or shifting.

Step 2: The changes include fixing the stitch length to 10 to 15 stitches per inch.

Step 3: Use a walking foot or an even feed to feed the layers of the fabric via the sewing machine evenly.

Step 4: Check the sewing machine pressure adjustment to find if less or more pressure on the pressure foot can hold the cloth properly.

Method 2: Using Extra-Fine Pins

The extra-fine pins are available in the market, and you can get some that will help to help the cloth in place. Place them on the fabric as required and open them as you approach the needle.

You might think that it will take some extra time. But the duration is actually lesser than what you usually waste in slipping. Additionally, it is better than using a seam ripper.

Method 3: Hand Basting

Hand basting is a process of sewing easily removable and long stitched by hand or machine to join the fabric for temporary reasons. It is also known as tacking and eliminates the sliding issue.

The process to hold the fabric in place and have more control over it while machine sewing. For most clothes, use straight-stitch seams, while French seams are preferred for seam fabrics.

Method 4: Look For A Glue Stick

Glue sticks are a mandatory product that everyone has at their home. It is used for different purposes, including sewing. Before you use the glue stick on the fabric, check if the material is washable or not.

If you cannot, it is recommended not to look for other methods. If you can, you must use a glue stick in a small quantity on the seam allowances. It helps in holding the fabric in place while you sew.

Method 4: Buy A Temporary Fabric Adhesive

A temporary fabric adhesive is your best friend when it is about sewing. Make sure to use the product in a well-ventilated area. It will help in holding the fabric wherever you want, and you can stitch quickly.

Method 5: Use Tape

If you are new to sewing and thinking about how to stop the cloth from dropping, use tape. Pinning fabrics may not always help you, which is why you can use tapes.

Use tape to hold the fabric together by placing it flat on the ironing board. It should be kept in the seam allowance only.

Method 6: Using Tissue Paper

The easiest method that you can follow to eliminate tissue paper is to place a layer between the fabric. Another solution that can be more effective is to spray temporary fabric adhesive and then keep it between the clothes.

It provides enough stickiness allowing keeping the fabric in place. With that, you can continue with sewing. Once it gets done, you can remove the tissue paper, and it looks like the tissue paper was never there.

Method 7: Double-Sided tape

Get a double-sided tape that you get in the market. Stick that onto both the sides of the fabric and start sewing. As a result, you will find that the cloth does not slip, and you can effortlessly complete sewing.

Method 8: Buy Pattern Weight

You can buy or make your pattern weight which can be used to hold the slippery material. It helps in keeping the cloth in place, while you can continue stitching. Once you follow this, you will see that sewing gets done quickly, and you do not waste much time now.

Problems You May Face If You Do Not Hold the Fabric In Place

If the fabric is not in place, it will be a challenge for you to stitch. It’s because now and then the cloth will slip. In a way, you will waste a lot of time completing the entire stitching.

Here are some problems that you can eliminate when you use any of the above methods to eliminate the shifting of the fabric.

Proper Stitching

When the fabric is in place, you can continue stitching properly. It will be in line, and you won’t feel like the stitch is improper. However, when the stitch keeps falling, you get distracted.

That’s why it is always better to use a glue or fabric adhesive to stop the fabric from slipping or sliding.

Extra Thread Knots

You might see there are extra thread knots happening underside your sewing. If you do not make a note of that, it will continue happening. To avoid such things, it is better to stick the fabric and concentrate on stitching.

Slipping or sliding of clothes is the main problem faced by people while sewing. The ideal way is to change the settings of the sewing machine. If that does not work, you can look for other alternatives.

Broken Needle

While concentrating on the fabric, you did not notice the needle, and it got broken. It is annoying, and now you have to change that. Carefully removing the needle is crucial; otherwise, you can get hurt.

Therefore, before you start stitching, you should use any of the methods to ensure the cloth is in place. As a result, you can eliminate the problems that you may come up with.

Hence, it’s time to incorporate the methods when you start sewing. If changing the setting of the machine can be done, it’s good. In case it cannot be changed, follow the other processes.

Will My Cloth Get Spoiled If I Use A Normal Tape?

Well, it is tough to say whether your cloth will get spoiled or not while using normal tape. It depends on the type of cloth, and if the clothes are washable, you can use tape.

In case it is not, the temporary adhesive is another method you can look for. Many a time, even after washing the cloth, it becomes easier to stitch as the fabric does not slip.

Can You Suggest Which Are The Most Effective Ways Of All?

Well, using tissue paper or fabric adhesive tapes is the easiest and effective way. However, you can consider the other methods also as it will help in eliminating the problem.

The top solutions can also be used while stitching any fabric. Follow any of the methods, and you will see how it fastens your sewing process. With that, you can see you have saved a lot of time. So, follow the methods to save some time and complete the task quickly.

Jessica

Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress. Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years. I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills. It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.

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