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Q&A
By Gena Bloemendaal
How do you sew minkee to other fabrics without it stretching?
Cindy D.,
e-mail
Minkee has been likened in feel to plush velvet. This extra-soft polyester fabric has only recently emerged onto the sewing scene but is already in high demand for use in baby items, clothing, soft crafts and quilting.
For even stitching when sewing minkee to other fabrics, hand-baste the seam prior to stitching.
Stitch with the minkee as the lower fabric layer. The machine's feed dogs will help guide the minkee through with less stretching. Make sure you don't pull on the minkee while stitching.
If your machine has a walking foot attachment, use it. If not, try guiding the fabric using a stiletto or chopstick.
Another method to prevent minkee from stretching is to stabilize the seam allowances with lightweight fusible stabilizer.
Cut stabilizer strips 1/8" wider than the seam allowance, and then fuse the strips along the seam allowance outer edges. Use a light heat setting and don't press too hard or the minkee's nap could be damaged.
Stabilize the seams temporarily by placing a piece of removable tape along the fabric edge. Remove the tape after the seam is stitched. Experiment with and combine any of these tips until you find a method that works for you.
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