I'm trying to sew on a fabric that has a metallic gold thread running through it. When my machine needle sews through this thread, it pulls the material all out of shape. Is there a special needle I need to use? I'm using regular thread, just can't seem to not hit the metallic area is some places. TIA, Jamie
I had a silk tweed like that, and a silk/linen/cashmire boucle tweed with lurex threads in it for my sister... Oh, and a stretch denim with silver lurex in it! very pretty! Hm... I think I just used an ordinary needle - make sure it's a new one! - and sewed slowly. Check the needle at the end of each seam, as this stuff blunts needles really fast!
There are special needles called Metallic, for this type of fabric. They have a special coating that prevents the metallic threads from sticking to the needle. A silicone spray on a regular needle might help, but might stain the fabric.
I was wondering about Metallica needles (Schmetz make them) but I think they're for metallic thread, not metallic fabric. Are we talking about the same thing?
I had the original poster's problem with a lurex velvet fabric and sewing slowly worked for me - then the needle doesn't pull the metal bits, but often slips to one side of them.
Metallic (Mettalica by Madeira are one name) needles are for embroidery with metallic threads rather than for sewing metallic fabric. Lurex threads in fabric are made from a plastic foil. The silicone might help, but the problem usually happens because the needle hits the flat 'thread' and punches it through the fabric. Then the thread catches on the jagged holes made in the Lurex... Ugh! If you get a wire weave fabric (like some of the bullion weaves in wedding sari's for example) the problem is far less because the metal threads are round, and the needle slides off them. I've had far fewer problems sewing wire weave braids and fabrics than I have Lurex. To see a colourful example of a wire weave sari project, take a look at the Posh Frocks page on my web site - the first picture is of me in my sari jacket. That thing is seriously heavy because of the weight of metal thread in it!
I use a ballpoint on lurex fabric, I find it "finds" the material w/o disturbing/cutting (should the needle hit it) the mettalic, but on lame I use the new microtex needles, apparently the super sharp because it is more tightly woven and the ballpoint takes the punches the whole piece into the throatplate. Michelle
Yup. One door closes, then another one slams in your face ;)
This lurex velvet stuff, of which I bought shedloads from a couturier who'd gone bust, is awful to sew with. Half of it is still on the bolts. It's scratchy, it sheds, it can't be washed, and if you make a scarf from it, it 'walks' off your shoulders. However, it is amazingly beautiful, so I do stroke it from time to time. I will never buy it again, though.
Trish, could you throw the stuff over a piece of furniture? Or make a Christmas tree skirt or something of it? It sounds richly beautiful; it would sure be a shame to just leave it on the bolt. Karen Maslowski in Cincinnati
Now there's a thought - not too many pieces, easy to line the neck... I shall look out some patterns. I've tried cushion covers, a sleeveless tunic and scarves, all without great success. The silk velvets without the lurex have made great evening wraps, but the stiffer ones are much more difficult. I was buying the remnants, so the trouble is, I've got just a couple of yards left of most of the colours. I did manage to get about six yards of a ruched silver velvet, which I think looks very 1930s, but if I made a cape, people might expect me to come out and play a big white piano... ;) Maybe I shouldn't wear it with the white skintight body suit...
As for Karen's idea, I do do that with it, as it happens, but only at Christmas. My cats' habits of vertically scaling everything they can lay their furry paws on limits me somewhat! But at Christmas, I drape everything with metallic velvets and sequinned fabrics for a couple of weeks and the heck with it.
Cat Worthing, who is 18, has a thing for glitter - it makes her go stupid with delight. She is especially fond of the hologram sequinned chiffon I use to wrap the Christmas tree pot each year.
ROFLOL I can just see you swaggering onto the stage, Trish, and flipping the tail of the cape over your shoulder as you dramatically take your seat at the baby grand!!
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