Burda Style For people who sew

SEWING FLEECE<BR> 1: Always begin your project with a new sewing needle. Sewing on the fleece fabrics, dulls the needles more often. <br> 2: Use a universal, stretch or ball point sewing machine needles. Choose the needle size according to the weight of the fabric. For most fabrics 80/12 will work. The thicker the fabric, bigger the size of the needle.<br> 3: Use a good quality 100% polyester thread. Cotton covered polyester threads are not that strong for fleece and break often. <br> 4: The thread should match the fabric or a shade darker. <br> 5: Fleece fabrics may be difficult to sew because of the bulk. A seam ripper or an awl or a skewer can help press down the fabric in front of the pressing foot. If the pile is not that thick, pressing with just fingers helps.<br> 6: Set machine for a slightly longer stitch (8 to 10 stitches per inch) or use medium stitch length (2.5-4mm). I like to use either straight or a slight a narrow zig-zag. <br> 7: Lower the presser foot pressure. <br> 8: A walking-foot, or roller-foot will greatly help in the even feed of the both layers of the fabric. <br> 9: Stitch slowly and carefully. Because ripping the seam is very hard. <br> 10: ½’ length are good size seams. If the pattern calls for a 5/8” seams, sew and then cut the seam allowances to reduce the bulk. <br> 11: Or use serger. <br> o Select a wide 3- or 4-thread stitch. <br> o A 4-thread stitch squishes the fleece reducing the bulk. <br> o Use a longer than usual stitch length of 3 to 3.5mm. <br> o Reduce presser foot pressure. <br>< 12: Sew a test sample to adjust the pressure, stitch length or needle size. <br> 13: When sewing around curved areas (such as necklines or armholes), stitch slowly and be careful not to stretch the fleece as you guide it through the machine. <br>