How to Sew Vinyl Onto Fabric
Many projects call for a vinyl lining or a clear vinyl layer sewn on top or beneath fabric. Sewing vinyl onto fabric is a moderately challenging sewing project involving careful planning and the appropriate sewing machine needle. Because straight pins leave holes in the vinyl, you will need to use paper clips or no attachment of fabric layers. Sew one edge of the vinyl to the fabric at a time, using tissue paper laid over the vinyl and later removed, or purchase a Teflon-coated pressure foot that will easily slide over the vinyl.
Things You'll Need
- Scissors
- Fabric
- Vinyl
- Tissue paper
- Paper clips
- Wedge-point sewing machine needle
- Teflon-coated pressure foot (optional)
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Tweezers
Instructions
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1
Cut the vinyl and fabric pieces according to your project and pattern. Use the same pattern or fabric pieces to cut identical pieces of tissue paper for each piece of vinyl.
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2
Place a piece of tissue paper identical to each vinyl piece on top of each piece of vinyl while constructing your project. Use paper clips in place of straight pins, as pins leave permanent holes. You will rip the tissue paper from your project at the seams after you are finished sewing.
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3
Attach a wedge-point sewing machine needle onto your sewing machine according to the manufacturer's instructions for changing your needle. Replace the regular pressure foot with an attachable Teflon-coated pressure foot if you desire to purchase one for this project.
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4
Align the tissue paper, vinyl and fabric edges so that the tissue paper or the fabric is the top layer to be sewn. The tissue paper will help the vinyl slide under the pressure foot or over the bed or table of the machine. Raise and lower the pressure foot as normal to hold the layers of fabric and vinyl.
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5
Sew the vinyl and fabric according to your project's requirements. Rip the tissue paper from your project and discard. Pick off any bits of tissue paper caught under individual seams with tweezers.
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Tips & Warnings
Denver Fabrics suggests the purchase of a Teflon press sheet that can be cut and taped to the bed or table of your sewing machine. This press sheet covers the bed or table and allows vinyl fabric to slide over it as you sew.
Make sure that you are using the proper needle and needle strength for sewing vinyl or the needle in your machine will break.
