Last Updated on 6 months by Susan Mayrich
Finding a material to work with is one of the most important parts of sewing. Most materials are easy to sew, but some are not as easy to work with as others. Polyester is a great fabric to work with and you can use it to make everything from clothes to blankets and pillows.
Polyester is a good choice for beginners because it’s inexpensive, easy to sew, and can be sewn together into almost anything.
If you’re working with polyester, here are some things to keep in mind:
What is polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is used to make many different fabrics, including knits and wovens. Polyester fibers come from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene adipate (PEA).
Polyesters are made from natural resources, such as petroleum, but they are not made from renewable resources. You can find polyester in many fabrics, including:
Sewing thread – Polyester sewing thread has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than cotton. The higher strength comes from the number of plies in the thread. This adds strength and elasticity to your project while also reducing breakage. It also resists fraying while being more durable than cotton threads.
Cotton/polyester blends – These fabrics have both cotton and polyester fibers woven together in the same fabric weight, which results in a fabric that has both good breathability and durability.
The blend can be used for upholstery projects as well as quilts or blankets that need extra durability without sacrificing softness or comfort.
Is Polyester Easy to Sew
Polyester is easily sewn and can be used for most projects. The fabric has a soft hand and is not as stiff as other fabrics, so it’s easy to sew with.
However, polyester does tend to fray more than cotton, so you may want to use a stabilizer on your project if you’re planning on using it outdoors.
Some people may have trouble getting their needle into the fabric because it’s so soft and flexible, but once you’ve done that, the rest should go smoothly.
Is Polyester Good for Sewing?
Polyester is also a good choice if you need to create a garment with a stretchy waistband or sleeve. Polyester can be stiff at first, but after several washes, it will relax and become more flexible.
Polyester fabrics can be used for all manner of sewing projects, from clothes to quilting to home décor so there’s no shortage of reasons why you might want to use polyester in your next project.
What Stitch Length Should I Use for Polyester?
Polyester can be sewn with pretty much any regular sewing machine, but it does require a few extra steps to sew correctly. Because polyester stretches so easily, the stitch length needs to be adjusted to compensate for this increase in stretchiness.
The stitch length can vary depending on the type of polyester, though most polyester blends are between 10 and 15 stitches per inch (2.5cm).
What Tension for Sewing Polyester
Polyester also doesn’t need much thread tension when it comes to sewing on the machine (about 4.0), so you don’t need as high an upper tension as you would with cotton or linen fabrics.
Tips For Sewing a Polyester Fabric
- Wash Before Use
Always wash your polyester before using your machine, especially if you have any spills or stains on the fabric. This will help prevent future problems with the stitching and threading.
The first time you sew with polyester, allow the fabric to dry completely before putting it away for later use.
- Always Use A Fresh Needle
A new needle can help prevent tearing and stitch breakage in the long run, which is especially important if you’re working with polyester or other synthetics.
If you change needles frequently, you may end up damaging or breaking your threads or stitches before they have a chance to fray completely.
- Use Polyester Thread
Polyester thread is thinner than regular sewing thread, and it’s also stronger. It’s made from polyester fiber, which makes it strong and stretchy. Polyester thread can be used with polyester fabrics to easily create a professional look.
4. Iron Before Sewing
Ironing your fabric before you sew it will make the edges more crisp and smooth. This will help prevent fraying and give the finished product a professional look.
How to Sew Polyester by Hand
Step 1: Prepare the materials
Before you begin sewing, you’ll need to prepare your sewing machine, thread the needle and gather your supplies.
Choose your thread and needle. You will need something that is strong enough to handle the weight of the fabric and yarn. The type of sewing machine you have depends on what type of thread you want to use.
If you are using polyester, you can use a polyester or machine needle with polyester thread. If you are using cotton, then you could use either a cotton or polyester needle with cotton thread.
Step 2: Thread the needle
Threading your needle is an important step in sewing any material. Follow these steps to do it correctly:
Turn the fabric around so that it is facing away from you
Thread the needle through one loop at a time, making sure that each loop is tightly secured by pulling it through all the way
Pull out each loop (there should be three loops in total) until only one remains
Push this last loop through all three loops on top of itself.
Step 3: Start sewing
Sewing polyester is very similar to sewing cotton, but there are a few key differences. You’ll need to make sure that you are using a needle that has enough length (it should be at least twice as long as your stitch length) so that it can penetrate through the fabric easily without breaking or tearing it apart when you pull through your layers of stitches over time.
Final Thoughts
There are many advantages to sewing with polyester fabric. However, there are some areas where you should pay extra special care to ensure things work out well. Polyester fabric can be a little tricky at times due to its chemical nature.
The most important thing is to use the right materials and tools when working with a polyester fabric.
