Sewing very fine textiles with or without stretch can seem complex. But with a few tricks it's easier than you think!

Sewing lace, marquisette, light tulle, etc. will hold no secrets for you.

Supplies

The supplies used for the tuto are :

• lace
• tissue paper
• a sewing machine

 

The needle

Use the right needle for the fabric - a stretch needle is essential if the fabric is stretchy!

 

Presser foot pressure

Reduce the pressure foot pressure on your sewing machine. This option is not available on all machines, which is a real shame! If your machine offers it, now's the time to use it! If you sew a lot of lingerie or swimwear and you're thinking of changing machine, ... this is the option to look at.

I use it all the time.

Be careful not to confuse this with wire tension.

The drive foot

You have a drive foot; use it - it's almost always fitted to my machine.

 

Start sewing

When you start sewing, do not position the foot at the immediate end of the fabric. The end of the fabric could be "swallowed" by the machine - the foot not being able to pull the fabric along, it will turn over and get caught in the notches of your machine.

 

Tissue paper

Use tissue paper. Place the fabric on the tissue paper and sew. When you've finished sewing, tear off the tissue paper from the back of the fabric. The stitch will look much nicer and cleaner if you do it this way. It's a "grandmother's recipe" you might say... but the trick still works!

Stitch settings

You can also increase the length/width of the stitch. Note that these settings will vary depending on the fabric, the type of elastic if you are assembling a rubber band, etc.

Patience

That's what you'll need at first: patience and tenacity! Try, try, ... be bold and with perseverance you'll get there.

What not to do

Pulling the fabric back with the left hand; something I see regularly 😂 Get into the right habit! The hands are in front of the presser foot and are used to guide, place the fabric.