Can I Sew Vinyl With a Regular Sewing Machine? – How to Sew!

Last Updated on February 1, 2023

Can I Sew Vinyl With a Regular Sewing Machine? In TheSewingStuffs, we have sewn a lot of fabric like leather, and although it is not complicated, today I wanted to gather all the tricks and tips for sewing vinyl with regular sewing machine in a single tutorial so that you can face this material without fear and your creations will be perfect.

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Sew Vinyl With a Regular Sewing Machine

We are going to go point by point; there are several types of vinyl on the market, the most common is transparent, although you have also seen me use it in colors to make toiletry bags, and we could even make raincoats with it.

I know some of you use the vinyl used to cover books; I don’t particularly like it; it lacks a body. The special vinyl for Sewing seems to me the best option. There are many qualities on the market, and the result will depend on the one you choose.

What is Vinyl fabric

Vinyl fabric is a very popular option for making everything from jackets to upholstery. Traditionally, vinyl is shorthand for PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), a type of plastic made from ethylene and chlorine that is used to make flat sheets for Sewing. Today, the word ‘vinyl’ has come into widespread use to refer to any non-woven material with plastic-like qualities.

What is the vinyl fabric used for?

Vinyl fabric is a fantastic choice for Halloween costumes, home decor, clothing, and accessories. It is available in a multitude of weights and finishes, from futuristic and otherworldly colors with iridescent finishes to leather-like textures. Sewing with this fabric is fun and rewarding, although it also has its difficulties. Next, we share with you our best tips for working with vinyl and not dying trying.

How Do You Sew Vinyl on a Domestic Machine?

In principle, the vinyl can be sewn in any domestic sewing machine or Regular Sewing Machine. You don’t need a particularly heavy-duty sewing machine to do this; you get the magic using the materials that we use described below.

How to Sew Vinyl

Can I Sew Vinyl With a Regular Sewing Machine?

Yes, You can sew vinyl with regular sewing machine! Photoelectric vinyl is a plastic that you can stitch with regular machines. There are two types of ethylene, oil and polyvinyl chloride. Oily vinyl is easier to stick and is used for carpets, bags, or craft items that need to be folded.

  • Polyvinyl chloride is more rigid and used for car decoration, manufacturing furniture, and other items requiring high durability.
  • For sewing vinyl with a regular sewing machine, it is recommended to use a polyester thread. Because the light is too thick, it is best to use a wide zigzag stitch on the machine.
  • Most machines already have this setting, but you can also adjust the machine to zigzag 1/4. For making the stitching cleaner, it is crucial to wipe the vinyl with a razor or craft knife before sewing.

Tips for Choosing a Vinyl Fabric for Sewing

Vinyl Fabric for Sewing

Lay Vinyl Flat or Rolled

Whatever type of vinyl you purchased, make sure it was stored flat or rolled. If stored folded, the folds will create permanent marks and leave an uneven surface. Apply the same criteria to save vinyl scraps that you have left over from your projects. Store them rolled or flat. Never double them.

Be Clear About What Kind of Vinyl You Want

When people say ‘vinyl,’ they often refer to other types of fabric similar to vinyl but not PVC. Many times they refer to synthetic leather, coated or laminated fabrics. Some of these fabrics use PVC as the base material, but others may be made from plant extracts to create greener alternatives to artificial plastics.

Look for a Thread According to the Weight of the Vinyl

If you use a resistant vinyl, also choose a thread according to these characteristics. You can find a special thread for leather, which also works great with vinyl. If you can’t find it, most brands have thicker options for topstitching that can also work for you. 

Recommendations for Sewing Vinyl Fabric With Regular Sewing Machine

Sewing Vinyl Fabric With Regular Sewing Machine

To sew vinyl, I recommend you, with your eyes closed, you use a Teflon presser foot. If you don’t have it, take a look at this tutorial, in which you will see how it works and how you can convert your standard presser foot into a valid presser foot for sewing vinyl (a very simple trick).

1. Use a Rotary Cutter

You can cut the vinyl with standard sewing scissors, but I recommend using a rotary cutter, cutting mat, and patchwork ruler to get more precise pieces. Using a rotary cutter is perfect for working with vinyl and will help you do the job faster than scissors. Make sure the blade is sharp, as it will wear out quickly.

2. Avoid Using Pins

Never use pins; they will leave the material damaged. The best option is the tweezers. Pins create a permanent hole in the vinyl, so use alternatives like master weights or paper clips to secure the fabric.

3. Choose a Simple Pattern for Your Vinyl Projects

Whether you plan to make clothing or something for the home, you will achieve a better finish if you use a simple pattern with few seams. Choose a design without pleats, ruffles, or small details to avoid thick seams and excess fabric.

4. Use a Special Press Fabric to Sew Vinyl Fabric

A dual-feed presser foot is the best option because it presses the top and bottom layers of vinyl under the presser foot at the same time. This is especially useful when sewing vinyl because it is a material that can be somewhat sticky when pressed, making it difficult to guide the fabric correctly when Sewing. If you don’t have a double-feed foot, you can also use a Teflon or roller foot.

5. Lengthens the Stitches

Vinyl is not a woven material, so it is prone to tears in less resistant areas, such as areas where there are holes. Spacing your stitches will reduce the risk of dismantling the entire seam, and your sewing machine will thank you, too. To sew vinyl, lengthen the stitch on your machine. Normally we sew with a 2.5mm stitch, select a longer stitch, 3.5mm for example and the vinyl will “suffer” less.

6. Keep the Seam Allowance Flat With a Bead of Glue

If you are using a hard vinyl or leather-like material, using glue can be very helpful in keeping seam allowances flat without ironing them out. Choose a textile adhesive specifically designed for this purpose, and once applied, press the seams with a flat surface (for example, a standard weight or a book) until the glue has completely dried.

7. Needles

Use needles for medium fabrics or, even better, needles for leatherette, either single or double needles.

8. Use Polyester Thread 

I always use polyester thread which is usually stronger than cotton.

How to Sew Stretch Vinyl

Sew Stretch Vinyl

Stretch vinyl is a fairly new product on the fashion scene. The patent vinyl fabric has gained popularity in fashion design due to its flexibility for use on a wide range of garments and elegant appearance. The cloth has two layers: a shiny side and a cloth-like backing.

Instructions

  • Prepare the pieces to be sewn by cutting all the areas according to the patterns. Eliminate multiple darts or meetings as much as possible, as they don’t work well on vinyl applications.
  • Join the two pieces together and avoid unnecessary taping with cellophane tape at large intervals. If the pieces are small, refrain from pinning them together.
  • Use an overlock machine if possible. The overlocker sews lengths, allows you to reduce allowances, and often trims the fabric at the edge. Right with right together, place the fabric under the presser foot, drop the foot, and stitch.
  • Refrain from excessive clamping when using a standard machine. Install a machine needle that is not only strong but thin, numbering no larger than a size 11. Do not use ballpoint or leather needles, as they pierce the vinyl and cause tearing. Stitch according to the lines. Trim the margins and then ensure a proper zigzag fit.
  • Set the tension to more stitches for long strokes so there will be fewer needle holes, and use the shortest stitch length where possible.
  • Do not iron vinyl. The ironing board will separate the two layers, so select designs require little or no pressure. You can press and smooth the clothing in areas where ironing would normally be necessary with a cloth wrapped around your fingers.

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