Proper Tension For Sewing Vinyl

The trick to sewing vinyl is using the proper tools and adjusting your machine to the proper settings.

Proper tension for sewing vinyl.

If the sewing is all wonky on the face top of the fabric and you have ruled out all the possible causes you will have no other way but to adjust this tension. Your stitch length when sewing vinyl fabric should be longer than you would use on regular fabric. When sewing thick fabrics you tighten the tension. So make sure the machine is clean and in proper state when starting a vinyl project.

Think of your stitching as if there were no thread in the holes created by the sewing machine needle those holes become a tear strip which will weaken the vinyl and make it prone to tearing. Thread tension that is too loose will cause stitches to unravel while too tight of a tension will cause the fabric to pucker. To obtain the correct tension setting make a test with the fabric and thread you plan to use for your project so that you can adjust the tension properly. Sewing machine tension can be tightened or loosened to affect the needle thread the bobbin thread or both.

As for thread for sewing vinyl on most vinyl you can use general purpose thread but if you expect the seam will experience a bit of a stress use heavy duty thread. Stitch length for sewing vinyl. When sewing with heavy thread you tighten the tension lower bobbin tension adjustment. A machine with the detachable bobbin case.

Balanced machine stitches machine stitches should look the same on both sides of the seam when you sew patchwork pieces together or when you machine quilt through the quilt s top batting and backing. Nylon is the best second best would be 100 polyester. Additionally we feature all these tips and more in our video tips for sewing vinyl fabric. In this article we discuss everything from the foot to the needle to the stitch length.

Bobbin thread showing on top.