How To Sew Stretch Pleather
Stretch pleather is a popular material for different sewing purposes. There are different types of items made from leather. It is all about the stitching method that makes a difference in these leather items.
Just like different types of stitching methods, there are various leather types that people use in varied situations. Pleather is called “plastic leather,” which is also known as synthetic leather. Pleather comes in different weights and forms.
This type of leather is more economical and lighter than any other type of leather. Pleather is ideal for large projects. A bigger advantage of pleather over leather is that it comes in a larger quantity.
If you are interested in sewing pleather leather, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss how you can sew pleather with ease.
How To Sew Stretch Pleather?
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Leather is always in trend, and stretch pleather is one of the popular types of leather. For better sewing, you need to select fabric and needles. Make sure not to use pins and taping the seam allowance. Stitching pleather is similar to stitching any other material.
Let’s learn the step-by-step method to sew pleather.
Steps To Sew Stretch Pleather
Pleather stitching is more seamless than sewing any genuine leather. That’s why it is a preferred leather material for large projects. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Check The Fabric
Before starting, it is essential to check the fabric and detect any flaws and cracks in the pleather. If there are any cuts and scratches, you need to work a little harder while stitching.
Step 2: Prepare The Needle
You need to use a leather needle for pleather as well. It is essential to select the size of the needle that can do the work effortlessly. If your pleather is light to medium, you can use size 12 or 14. For heavier fabric, you can go up to size 16 or 18.
For hand stitching, it is better to use a leather needle as it will better pierce into the material. If you are new to hand stitching, it would be better first to practice the stitch and then start.
Step 3: Don’t Use Pins
Piercing pleather or any faux leather can create holes in them that will stay forever. As you know, it is essential to hold the fabric; people tend to use pins that make harsh holes in the fabric.
Hence, instead of using pins, you can start using fabric clips. These clips are lightweight and never damage your fabric. You can also try different lightweight clips.
Step 4: Taping The Seam Allowance
Before starting to stitch, it is essential to tape the allowance. It will give you a straight line to stitch. Pressing the seam allowance is always better to create a stitching line.
It may not be possible to do so in fabrics like pleather, faux leather, suede, and vinyl. The best way to secure your pleather is to topstitch.
For this, you need to place the leather tape along with the seam allowance; keep the sticky side down. Now slowly remove the paper backing and reveal the other side.
Fold back the seam or hem allowance. This way, you can tape the seam allowance and create a secured stitching line that will help you in the sewing process.
Step 5: Start Stitching
Now is the most important step, which is about stitching. Being lightweight leather, pleather can be stitched just like any other material. Sewing pleather is similar to sewing any other material. Make sure to keep pressing the fabric and prevent wrinkles.
Some Tips To Sew Pleather
Even if you know all the nitty-gritty of sewing pleather, it is always better to keep some tips handy. Sewing pleather can be seamless if you know the right way to go about it. There are a bunch of different ways in which you can tackle this leather material.
#1 Baste And Pin Holes In The Right Way
It is true that pins can leave holes in your pleather that can ruin the look and its durability. However, you can avoid it by smartly basting and pinning.
Instead of using pins that will damage your fabric, you must start using clips that are lightweight. You can even use office paper clips to hold the fabric. Different stationery items can be used in the place.
#2 Prevent Skipped Stitches
When your sewing machine is not taking up the fabric properly, it can result in skipped stitches. To prevent this issue, you must invest in a good leather sewing machine that is easily available in the market today.
These sewing machines are specifically made for leather projects, and they are best to solve the issue of skipped stitches.
If you are not interested in buying a leather sewing machine, then you can use a roller or Teflon foot with transparent tape at the bottom of your sewing machine to allow the fabric to feed in the machine.
#3 Pressing and Wrinkles
It is advised not to use high-temperature iron for pressing the pleather. It will only cause damage to your fabric. You can use a dry iron set on the synthetic setting. Always test the iron on scrap fabric before using it on the actual fabric.
For more safety, you can use a press cloth on both sides of the pleather to prevent any damage. You must work slowly so that heat can work evenly on the fabric. Plowing through the fabric when warm can make the fabric distorted and shapeless.
#4 What About Cleaning?
You cannot wash all pleather; there are some kinds of pleather that are not washable. Before washing any pleather, make sure to read the fabric’s instructions regarding its washing frequency.
Once you get it out from the laundry, feel the fabric and measure the square to check any shrinkage signs. It is best to preshrink the fabric before washing it.
#5 Golden Tip For First-Timers
Always choose a simple project to start with. Tote bag, envelope-back pillow, and purse pattern are some of the easy to make pleather stitches. The practice is the key to make your project successful. Always practice scrape materials so that once you master the sewing, you can start on nice material.
If you are new to sewing, you must take some tutorials that will teach you a lot about different sewing fabrics. There are many sewing machine manuals that can be used to avail of all the information regarding sewing.
What Kind Of Thread Is Used For Stretch Pleather?
There are different types of threads used in stretch pleather, but it is essential to choose the ideal thread that can do the work properly. Some of the best threads that you can use are nylon, rayon, 100% poly.
Before starting to sew, keep the thread tension in the right place. If your thread is breaking excessively, it would be better to reduce the thread tension.
Can You Stitch Faux Leather?
Just like pleather, faux leather is also a type of synthetic leather. However, faux leather can make your needles dull compared to regular fabric. So, you can try straight or zig-zag stitch according to the look you want to create.
You must also elongate your stitches because small stitches can weaken your seam and perforate the material.
How Do You Keep Pleather From Fraying?
Fraying is a common problem with stitching, and it is similar to pleather as well. One of the easiest ways to do so is by melting the thread. The thread may catch fire, so you should only blow the surface to get it done.
Squishing the melted plastic on the surface will prevent the seam from fraying. It is important to manage the issue of fraying as it can severely hamper your fabric.
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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