OT sewing ultrasuede

While I've not sewn on it myself, my mom has plenty of times. She told me just treat it as if it were suede. I don't know if she used any certain needles or feet, but I think they certainly wouldn't hurt. Lapped seams are good, since it doesn't ravel. The stuff scares me because it's so expensive!

I've done some applique with ultrasuede. You need to use a sharp needle, not a universal or you risk skipped stitches. I bought size 11 microtech needles and had no problems. Ultrasuede does not ravel so no edge finish is needed.

L>While I've not sewn on it myself, my mom has plenty of times. She told me

PATCHogue, NY

I have sewn it. Used regular needles and foot. It will show the marks left by the feed dogs if your pressure foot pressure is too tight, so do check that. Iron temp needs to be lowered. Use a press cloth. Lapped seams can reduce bulk. If you have specific questions, please ask.

Ultra suede story: I worked for a couple of years for a Dry Cleaner/ Hatter here in the Valley. Did alterations and repairs, usually never seeing the customers, just working with the clothes. One guy wanted a pair of pants reproduced. He was/is a rodeo performer and wanted these pants to look good when he wore them, both standing and while on horseback. He also wanted them made of royal Blue Ultrasuede with red Ultrasuede piping and trim. He got them. I understand that they fit fine. Never did see them on him. Or him for that matter.

have fun, Pati, > Anything I should know before I start working with this

Well that sounds like you need a leather needle at the very least.

Debra in VA See my quilts at

***NO******** Please do not use a leather needle with Ultrasuede. In fact with very few exceptions, the only thing to use a leather needle on is leather. Leather needles have a 3-edged point that actually cut through whatever you are stitching. Necessary for leather, but not for most other things. (The only exception I can think of is that Joan Shay(?) uses fine leather needles for her Appli-Bond technique, which involves sewing through no-sew heavy weight Heat and Bond brand fusible.)

Have fun, Pati, > >

Same old broken record from me - test, test, test. Ultrasuede tote bags will be just gorgeous, what a lovely idea. That suede is tough to pin through - but I found a plain old glue stick would hold okay, if only briefly. The recipients of your totes will cherish them. Do save every little scrap, they truly are super for applique. Polly

I once made myself an ultrasuede blazer. It is quite easy to work with. It does have a right and wrong side -- not much difference, but you want to be consistent. I think I used a microtex needle. As others have said, no seam finish is necessary, so lapped seams are good. You can't use a real hot iron and the fabric is somewhat stiff, so pressing seams open isn't real desirable.

Julia in MN

Don't pin the seams ... the marks will stay forever!! Last time that I sewed U/S, I used binder clips to hold the pieces together. If you do the binder clips, just remember to keep the clips in the seam allowance ... that way, the "dents" in the U/S from the clips won't show!!

I've tried pinning U/S (the first time ever, not ever again) and that was SO hard!! I had cramps in my hands for WEEKS!!

Hugs!! Connie :)

Taria, it's not that you can't pin U/S. It's just so hard to do. I hadn't discovered those cute little springy clothespins in my U/S sewing days but I'll bet they would hold things steady for you too. Several family members inspected the tote I'd made rather thoroughly - I think there's a lot of tote making going on at their houses. They were curious about how I'd done such a neat job of the inner-bottom. All I'd done was to wrap some fabric over a cardboard rectangle, glue the underneath edges down and glue that sucker into the bag. Looks nice, works great and I think Aileen's made the glue. Easy, peasy. Polly

Actually, the pants looked pretty good, if you could accept the bright color. But then, for a performer bright colors are the thing to do. The biggest problem with making those pants was that the original pants were fairly well worn. And trying to disassemble a garment then use it to make a pattern is not the best thing in the world to do. Especially when translating from a double knit to Ultrasuede. sigh. But it worked. Wish I had gotten a picture of those pants..... they looked darn good looking back at the whole situation.

Pati, > too bad you didn't get a picture of that Pati. They must have

It's been a *long* time since I've sewn on ultrasuede, Taria, but I seem to remember having to be awfully careful about where the pins went, since the holes are permanent. For that matter, redoing a seam isn't (or wasn't) recommended, either. ;)

Wow, Pati. Translating size/fit from doubleknit to U/S? The very challenge makes me throw my hands up in the air and back away quickly. Doubleknit gives, even denim does but I don't remember that U/S had much in the wax of flexibility. Good, good for you. That is a major big accomplishment. Polly