Buttery-soft suede is a popular fall fashion fabric, but it’s also perfect year-round for furniture. Kovi Fabrics suede comes in colors and patterns that work in any room, so it’s an excellent choice for your next weekend sewing project.
Here are some things to keep in mind when working with suede:
Select Your Project Carefully
Suede can be challenging to work with if you’re new to sewing because it has some stretch. It’s not as easy to sew precisely as with other fabrics. Start with something simple, like a pillow cover or reupholstered bar stool seat, and move on when you are more comfortable.
Use Pattern Weights
Pins are the standard in holding fabric down, but they don’t always work. This goes for other heavy fabrics, too. Because suede is so thick, it’s best to use pattern weights. You can also use binder clips to hold the pieces together when sewing.
Check Your Sewing Machine Needle
If you’re new to sewing, you might not know which needle sizes work best for different fabrics. A leather needle for sewing thicker fabrics will work best for sewing your suede pieces. Be sure to change out the needle if you’ve been doing many projects; the needle won’t work as well after several hours of sewing.
You will also want to set the needle to 10-12 stitches per inch or longer because shorter stitches can weaken the fabric.
Pay Attention to the Nap
Suede has a nap, so you must consider that when cutting and placing your fabric. If you want the darker, richer suede color, situate the fabric so the nap goes up. For a frosted variation on the color, the nap should go down. Whichever you choose, make sure the fabric goes in the same direction.
Proper Care and Cleaning
Synthetic suede is less prone to stretching and wrinkling and is easier to care for than animal-skin suede. Genuine suede should only be spot-treated for cleaning. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for your material to keep it looking its best for years.