For quite some time, sequin fabric has been the unsung hero of the sewing world. It’s now everywhere and has become almost synonymous with everything glitzy, glamorous and glittery.

They are quite a sight, which is why kids love everything sewn using sequin fabric. So, if you are looking for a perfect gift that your little one will love and cherish, consider making a sequin dress, pillow, school bag, etc. The best fashion designers love to use sequin fabric, too – they make for some stunning cocktail dresses, among other garments.

This article is a top-down guide to using sewing using sequin fabric. We’ll touch a bit on all the tricks and tips you need to successfully make something beautiful using this tricky, unique fabric. Let’s dive right in!

What is Sequin Fabric?

It’s a type of fabric embellished with sequins. These are sparkly, glittering circular flakes with a hole in the middle so you can make clothing with them. While it’s not very common, some have sequin glued to the actual fabric.

There are a myriad of types of sequin fabrics available. The difference often boils down to two things: type of sequin used and the kind of backing material/fabric. You can purchase several types of this fabric by the yard online, including sequin spandex, animal print sequin, holographic sequin, velvet sequin, and mesh sequin, just to mention a few.

How Sequin Fabric is Made

Sequin fabric comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Most of them are made using a backing material like nylon that’s semi-sheer, stretchy and lightweight. Many sequin fabrics are spandex sequin, polyester (90/10), and some glitz sequin fabric.

As a rule of thumb, standard 3-mm sequins are sewn using machines onto the backing fabric. However, there are still craft houses that do hand-sewn pearl and sequin embroidery. Of course, you can make your sequin fabric from scratch - but that’s not something for the faint-hearted.

Is Sequin Fabric Hard to Sew?

Truthfully, sewing using sequin fabric can be quite a challenge, especially if you’re new to the sewing world. But, that’s why we put together this article in the first place - to help you navigate the tricky world of sewing using sequin!

Remember, sequin fabric itself is very attractive. However, if you mess up the actual sewing project, you will end up with something that’s tacky and unsightly. Of course, if you succeed, your sequin dress, shirt or costume will look glamorous.

The most challenging aspect will be making sure that sequins don’t fall right off as you work on the fabric. Not to mention, of course, that cutting into sequin fabric can be quite difficult, if not downright daunting. Overall, you will find that sequin is a bit of an unpredictable fabric. You’ll do great, though – as long as you’re mindful of the intricacies of working with sequin fabric.

How Much Fabric do I Need?

High-quality sequin fabric that’ll add some pizzazz to your fashion and sewing expedition doesn’t come cheap. Unfortunately, it isn’t exactly easy to work with this type of delicate fabric.

So, the short answer is: buy a bit larger sequin fabric than needed for your project. Why? You’ll have extra in the event that you make a mistake (and they’ll be plenty of these mishaps). However, don’t purchase so much material that you end bursting your budget. A good rule of thumb is to purchase 15% more than you need – if the pattern calls for 10 yards, get at least 11.5 to be safe.

How Do I Cut Sequin Fabric?

Chances are, you’ll purchase sequin fabric by the yard from a fabric store, likely online. Whether you’re planning to buy it online or from a brick-and-mortar store, you’ll want to hunt for something on sale – you want high quality fabric, which is easier to use, but you also don’t want to waste money when you are just practicing.

So, how do you cut it given that this fabric is a bit complicated and delicate to handle?

You see, sequin has what’s called a “nap.” It tends to shine when seen from a specific angle, and hang in a particular way. Before you cut your sequin fabric, it pays to know how the sequins hang and how they shine. This way, you can lay the sequins in a single direction prior to cutting. The last thing you want is to cut such an expensive fabric the wrong way.

Here are some important dos and don’t of cutting a sequin fabric, especially if you bought the fabric by the yard.

• Don’t pin the fabric - that’s right; pinning a sequin fabric is a big no-no because the backing material is usually something that the pins will not stay put.
• Don’t cut your sequin fabric on a fold
• Do use a layout to draw your pattern on the back of the fabric - By this point, you should have your pattern/layout handy. Just trace it onto the fabric from the backside. For most people, the tailor’s red chalk does the trick. Now, remove the layout and cut along the trace line.
• Don’t use your best scissors - This one is a no-brainer. Sequins have a way of dulling and knocking even the best pair of scissors. We suggest that you stick to one-time-use or gift wrap scissors.
• Do take your time to make accurate cuts - It should take you up to an hour to trace, cut and prep your sequin fabric.

What’s the Right Pattern?

Like any fabric, sequin fabric doesn’t a right or a wrong pattern. However, as previously mentioned, this is a hard fabric that’s hard to handle and requires lots of preparation. As such, you need to choose a simple pattern especially if you are planning to add zippers and other fancy accessories. Also, it’s easier to integrate a simple sequin fabric into other projects if you have any leftover yards.

How Do You Wash Sequin Fabric?

Thankfully, most clothes or items made with sequin fabric are machine washable. If you do decide to go down this route, make sure to zip or button up the clothing completely. More importantly, you need to turn the piece of cloth inside out. This way, the delicate sequins are inside and won’t bear the brunt of the washing cycles.

If the sequin fabric is too unstable or tends to shed the sequins, put the clothing in a mesh lingerie bag for even extra protection. Of course, you have to wash them using the gentle cold-water cycle and mild detergent. Hang dry to avoid a rough dry cycle that’ll most likely beat the sequins right off the fabric.

 

Working with sequin fabric may seem daunting, but it’s not terribly more difficult than anything else. More than anything, make sure to take your time and use a simple, easy pattern for your first project. Happy sewing!