How To Sew 2 Pieces Of Fabric Together
Sewing two fabrics together is one of the basic things you can do with your sewing skills. It is how most of the clothing is made: by sewing together different parts. Sewing two pieces of fabric together is not a very difficult task if you understand the nuances of sewing and fabric materials. Furthermore, it is possible to attach your fabrics by hand or with the help of a sewing machine.
How To Sew 2 Pieces Of Fabric Together
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The technique to attach fabrics is quite simple. All it needs is a straight stitch by hand or by a sewing machine. But before you can apply this straight stitch on the seams of your two fabrics, you have to take care of certain things. Those points have been listed below to help you attach two pieces of fabrics together. Yes, it’s a simple process but you will have to follow a few rules to ensure that your fabric attachment is flawless and the two joined pieces stay together for a long time.
How to Sew 2 Pieces of Fabric by Machine
- Line up the fabrics together. Attach them with each other using fabric pins.
- Double check the fabric for alignment. Every edge and every curve should be where it needs to be sewed. Adjust the fabrics to realign before sewing.
- Now, prepare your sewing machine by threading it and choosing the length and style of stitches. You will also need to set the speed of your machine. This speed has to be decided based on your expertise in sewing and the type of fabrics you’re
- Lock the stitch at the beginning and then start sewing. Before you start, remember to place your needle at least 1/4th inch away from the seam.
- When you reach the end of the stitch, lock the stitch again.
- Clip the excess fabrics, if there are any. You can also trim the fabric allowances to reduce the bulk. While doing this, do not go very close to the stitching.
- The last step is to iron the seams to a side or to open based on your preference.
With a sewing machine, you do not have to do much other than ensuring that the two fabrics are aligned properly at all times. You will also have to learn to control the movement of the machine. If you are a beginner, start with a slow speed, so that you can easily control how your fabric moves.
How to Attach Two Fabrics With Hand
- Line up your fabrics exactly how you want to sew them. Pin them to each other using fabric pins.
- Double check the alignment of fabrics. They should be perfectly in place without any wrinkles.
- Thread your needle with a sewing thread. You can double thread for extra strength. Know the ends. Make the knot so big that it doesn’t pass through any of the fabrics.
- Start sewing with a stitch that you know how to execute and which is also sturdy enough to hold the fabrics together.
- For beginners, choose a simple straight stitch.
- Leave ¼ inch of seam allowance. Do not stitch at the very edge of both the fabrics.
- As you sew, remove the fabric pins one by one to get some proper stitching space.
- Once you have covered the entirety of the fabrics, lock the last stitch by tying a knot.
- Clip the excess thread beyond the knot and also trim the seams. Do not cut very close to the knot in case of the thread. When trimming the seams do not get very close to the stitches.
- Iron the seams to the side or you can iron them to open, as in one seam to each side. Take this call based on the thickness of the fabric.
Sewing two fabrics with a sewing machine is easier than doing it by hand. A machine also offers sturdier stitches. So, sewing by machine is a better choice. With a machine, your attached fabrics will look neat and will easily survive wear and tear. In order to sew with a machine though, you will have to learn how to use a machine and its nuances like thread tension, types of stitches and machine speed. You can practice on a waste cloth to master controlling the machine’s/needle’s movement.
Tips for Sewing Two Fabrics Together
There are a number of things you need to consider before you jump into sewing two fabrics together. Factors like your machine settings, pinning, ironing and the type of fabrics goes a long way in deciding how well you attach fabrics together. Following are some important things to remember:
- Consider the Type of Fabric
You may not have a chance to choose the fabrics every time, therefore, you will have to adjust with them while taking care of other nuances. The type of fabric you are using usually defines the ease of sewing. If you are attaching two pieces of the same fabric, you have a straightforward project in hand. Things get complicated though when you have to work with two different types of fabrics. The thickness and textures of the fabric define how neat your end product will be.
If you are not sure about the sewing result, test a small patch of fabrics. If the stitches look fine, you can proceed, if not, you may have to reconsider your fabrics.
- Pin your Fabric Properly
It is important to carefully pin the fabrics in place before sewing. The pin will hold the fabrics together and will reduce the chance of sewing blunders. You can place your pins parallel to the fabric or perpendicular. Either way, what’s more important is to gently and evenly space out the two fabrics so that they do not gather under the sewing foot.
If your fabrics are too thin, they may show pin holes, in such a condition, place the pins in the area that won’t be visible after sewing. Make sure not to sew on the pins, or you will damage your fabric as well as your machine. Remove the pins one by one as you reach closer to the section.
- Settle all the Wrinkles and Folds
The two fabrics you are sewing together should not have any wrinkles or folds. Wrinkles will ruin your project by creating uneven looking seams. Check your pinned fabrics for wrinkles and accidental folds. Even out every fine wrinkle using your hands. You can also consider ironing the fabrics before attaching them with pins. Also check that the fabrics have their right side and wrong side aligned with each other.
- Use Correct Machine Settings
When joining two fabrics, the stitch length, machine speed and other settings like thread tension also matter. The exact settings that you will need to stitch your fabric depends on the fabric material, thread and your sewing machine. The best way to find the best settings is to do sample runs on some extra cloth. Make sure the extra cloth comes from the same two fabrics or your test results won’t apply to your actual fabrics. Adjust your stitch size, machine speed, etc. according to the result of your test patch.
- Iron your Seams
Ironing your seams is the last step of attaching two fabrics. Once you are done sewing, iron the seam open. This will give you attached fabric a neat appearance. Do not press too hard that the seam edges show at the front.
Learning how to sew two pieces of fabric together can help you learn a lot of other things that require attaching fabrics. For example, sewing clothes, creating quilts, etc. As already mentioned in the beginning of the article, attaching two fabrics is a very basic procedure of sewing and it is easy to do as well. Do not forget to practice your straight stitches though, they are what will see you through.
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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