How to Sew Mesh Fabric: Supplies, Settings, and Helpful ...

01 Jul.,2024

 

How to Sew Mesh Fabric: Supplies, Settings, and Helpful ...

Mesh fabric is a textile characterized by its open, net-like structure. Often made from polyester, nylon, or other synthetic fibers, mesh fabric is created by interlocking or woven yarns in a grid pattern resulting in evenly spaced holes and recognizable grid texture. This open structure allows air to circulate freely, making it an excellent choice for breathable garments, sports apparel, and lining material.

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Mesh fabric is known for its breathability and ventilation, making it a perfect material for a summer outfit. It&#;s also a bold, statement-making fashion staple that can add a little edge and excitement to any ensemble. But how do you sew mesh fabric, and how easy is it to work with? Read on for our helpful tips for working with mesh fabric.


Is mesh fabric challenging to sew? 

Sewing mesh is easier than it may seem, but it is quite a delicate material. You may need to take more care than usual to make sure the fabric does not get stuck or torn in your machine. With the appropriate tools, like a fine needle and a lightweight thread, you&#;ll be less likely to pucker or pull on the fabric. 

Pua Floral Embroidery Mesh in Petal/Cornflower from Zelouf Fabrics

Here are a few of our tips for sewing mesh fabric.

1. Use a fine needle. A fine needle is most appropriate for lightweight fabrics, so consider using a size 9 or size 11 needle. A sharp needle can work well, or if you&#;re sewing stretch mesh, try a ballpoint needle.

2. Opt for a lightweight thread. A lightweight thread is best when sewing mesh fabric. Polyester or nylon thread, for example, will be less likely to cause puckering or pull on the fabric.

3. Use clear thread or matching thread. Depending on your project, you can choose to use clear thread or thread that matches the color of the mesh fabric. Clear thread can be less noticeable, while matching thread can blend in seamlessly.

4. Choose the proper stitch. Straight stitches, zigzag stitches, or stretch stitches are all suitable for sewing mesh fabric, depending on the type of mesh you&#;re sewing and the desired outcome you have in mind. Consider experimenting on scrap pieces of fabric to determine the stitch that works best for your specific project. For example, if you&#;re using a stretch fabric, a zigzag stitch is an ideal choice as it will allow the material to expand.

5. Be mindful of seam allowances. Mesh fabric is often lightweight, so bulky seam allowances can create unnecessary bunching. Consider trimming down the seam allowances after sewing or grading them to make the finished project look more professional.

6. Pin your fabric. Mesh fabric can be slippery, so it's helpful to use pins or clips to hold the fabric in place during sewing. If you're experiencing difficulty handling the fabric or if it is excessively stretchy, consider using a stabilizer. Wash-away or tear-away stabilizers can provide temporary support while sewing, and can be removed once you're done stitching.

7. Use the right sewing machine foot. Consider using a walking foot or a Teflon foot when sewing mesh fabric. These specialty feet can help prevent the fabric from slipping or getting caught in the feed dogs, resulting in smoother stitching.

8. Reduce pressure on the presser foot. Mesh fabric is delicate, so adjust the pressure on the presser foot if your sewing machine allows it. Decreasing the pressure can help prevent the fabric from getting stretched or distorted during sewing.

9. Finish the seams. Mesh fabric tends to fray easily, so consider finishing the seams when sewing mesh to prevent any pesky unraveling. To do this, you can use a serger or overlocker, use pinking shears to trim the seam allowances or enclose the seams with French seams or bias binding. Backstitch or sew a few extra stitches at the start and finish of each seam to secure the threads.

10. Adjust the tension. Adjusting the tension on your sewing machine will prevent the fabric from getting stretched or puckered. You can test the tension on a scrap piece of mesh fabric first to find the optimal setting before sewing your project. 

11. Be gentle. Mesh fabric is delicate, so take care not to handle it excessively while sewing, as this can stretch or distort the fabric. Minimize touching and pulling the fabric as much as possible during the sewing process to maintain its shape and integrity.

12. Practice makes perfect. Sewing mesh fabric may require some practice to get comfortable with its unique characteristics, so be patient. Take your time, sew methodically, and be sure not to rush as you work with this delicate material.

By using appropriate tools, adjusting your sewing techniques, and testing scrap pieces first, you can successfully sew mesh fabric and create beautiful garments or accessories. D

on't be discouraged if it takes a few attempts to achieve the desired results. With practice, you'll become more comfortable working with this unique material.

7 Easy Tips on How to Sew Mesh Fabric

Are you crazy about sewing? Are you excited about taking on a new sewing adventure? Well, let&#;s enter a new sewing world: mesh fabric. This type of material is creating a new trend in the sewing world now. Today, this article will give you a comprehensive guide on how to sew mesh fabric.

Why Sew Mesh Fabric?

Now, we&#;ll tell you why mesh fabric is so special.

Mesh fabric stands out for being a light, open-weave fabric thanks to its unique net-like structure. It is basically made from synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, or spandex. The open structure of mesh fabric lets air flow freely, making it perfect for garments and accessories, like sports and athletic wear, bridal wear, lingerie, bags, and more, that need ventilation or a see-through effect.

Apart from its ventilation function, mesh fabric has a unique elastic function, which means it cannot be easily loosened or deformed. It is also simple for you to wash and dry mesh fabric, and it can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria.

What&#;s more, the appearance of mesh fabric looks fashionable and glamorous because the textile is bright, soft, and does not fade. It adopts a three-dimensional mesh pattern, which not only follows the fashion trend now but also maintains a timeless classic style.

With so many great functions, aren&#;t you more excited to sew mesh fabric?

Is It Hard to Sew Mesh Fabric?

Before starting sewing, many of you might say, &#;I&#;m really bad at sewing; is it too hard for me to sew mesh fabric?&#;.

Well, sewing mesh fabric does present many tough challenges because of its open structure. And when you are sewing it, you will find it stretches or distorts very frequently. But don&#;t be worried; it&#;s actually quite easy to handle these challenges with your gentle touch and patience during the sewing process.

Therefore, for most sewing projects, with the right techniques and a little patience, you can sew mesh fabric successfully even if you are a beginner!

7 Tips to Sew Mesh Fabric by Machine

Now, it is time for you to try to sew mesh fabric. First, we will introduce tips for sewing by machine. A standard sewing machine is totally enough. The following tips will give you specific descriptions and include every detail you need to know during the sewing process.

Prepare your materials.

Remember to wash and iron your fabric and mesh before you start to sew mesh fabric. Doing this will make sure that your completed project looks clean, neat, and professional.

Needles

As a type of stretchy fabric, delicate mesh fabric can easily pull, get stuck, or skip stitches, causing a lot of trouble for you and making your sewing machine a real mess. So the choice of needle you use is of great importance.

A ballpoint needle or a stretchy needle should be a good idea to sew mesh fabric or any other slippery fabric. These two types of needles slide between the threads of the fabric instead of piercing through it. Due to their round tips, they can help prevent the delicate mesh fabric from being nagged or pierced through. The round shape also allows the needles to slide smoothly between the holes of the mesh, ensure clean and unbreakable stitches, and cause less puckering. 

If a ballpoint or stretchy needle is not available for you, don&#;t worry. A universal needle size of 70/10 or 80/12 is friendly to mesh fabric too. Just try to find a needle that is as sharp as possible.

Thread

When sewing with mesh fabric, you require a strong kind of thread that can hold the mesh solidly in place. So the best solution is to use thread that has the same fiber composition as the mesh.

But if you have no idea what the mesh is made from or don&#;t have a similar fiber thread, durable polyester thread is your best choice to sew mesh fabric. It is one of the strongest threads on the market. It can not only provide the strength you need to stand stretching on your finished item, but it will also create strong, secure, and long-lasting stitches for your item. Polyester thread is always a great idea, no matter what type of mesh fabric it is or what kind of garments and accessories you are making.

The choices of different colors in the thread create different feelings. If you prefer the integrity of the finished item, use a color similar to the mesh fabric. If you want your finished item to be more eye-catching, choose a totally contrasting color.

Marking

Marking the slippery and stretchy mesh fabric seems a bit difficult. You can use chalk or erasable pens to help because both of them can be erased and won&#;t affect the finished item. When marking the mesh fabric, we recommend you hold the fabric tightly and as still as possible, then mark only a small section at a time. Don&#;t forget to choose an obvious color that is different from your fabric in order to make everything easier.

You can also consider making small clips with a pair of scissors, but it can be really hard to confirm all the holes.

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Cutting

If you have washed and dried your mesh fabric before, now&#;s the best time to start cutting! A pair of sharp scissors is good for cutting the mesh, but more time and patience are needed. So the best tools are a rotary cutter and a self-healing mat, especially for power mesh.

When cutting mesh fabric, first keep track of your previous marks, which helps you cut more precisely. Then always cut a single layer of mesh fabric at a time. You might think it will save more time when cutting two layers or more together, but due to the features of mesh fabric, the situation is totally different. As a slippery fabric, the layers can easily slip and slide apart while cutting, which only leaves you with a mess, the possibility of cutting again, and waste materials. So it&#;s important to cut one layer at a time.

Pinning

Due to the holes in the mesh and its slippery and stretchy nature, getting it pinned together is quite torturous. The easiest method is to use quilter&#;s clips rather than pins. Quilter&#;s clips don&#;t require piercing any fabric and can remove some difficulty for you.

Without quilter&#;s clips, ballpoint pins and extra-fine pins are a second choice for pinning mesh. They have the same function, just a little bit more time and patience.

Sewing Machine Settings

Setting up the machine properly can make things more efficient. So next, we will help you better set up your machine in four aspects.

Machine Feet

Compared with other machine feet, using a walking foot seems better to help guide the mesh through, creating more smooth stitches, fewer broken threads, and less snagging.

To be more helpful during the process, you can use a tear-away stabilizer, tissue paper, or plain paper under the seam. These tools can make sure the mesh doesn&#;t get trapped on the feed dogs, and they can be easily removed afterwards.

Alternatively, you can select a wide straight stitch foot or a roller foot, which can help a lot too.

Stitch Length

Setting the right stitch length may be more important than you think. You&#;d better choose a shorter straight stitch, which is around 1.75&#;2.5 mm, to ensure even and secure stitches. Alternatively, a narrow zigzag stitch is another good choice. A zigzag stitch helps to avoid broken thread and allows the fabric to stretch without breaking the stitches. It works especially efficiently for fabric with holes.

Remember to test your chosen stitch length on a sample of your actual material before starting your own project. This will help you avoid some unnecessary mistakes.

Sewing Speed

Sewing mesh fabric should be done at a slow and steady speed. As a slippery and stretchy fabric, it moves more than other fabrics, so it&#;s important to slow down the pace. Try to avoid pulling the mesh through the machine, or you will get more gathers and puckers, which you certainly don&#;t like.

Fabric Position

When sewing mesh fabric with other fabrics, it&#;s necessary to pay more attention to the mesh layer&#;s position. Always remember to keep the mesh layer on top next to the needle when sewing it with other fabric in order to prevent it from sliding, slipping, or getting stuck.

How to Sew Mesh Fabric by Hand

Since you have known how to sew mesh fabric by machine, you must also wanna know how to sew it by hand. Compared with machines, sewing mesh fabric by hand requires more time, patience, and care.

The materials you need are similar to the ones machines need. Choose a sharp needle and a durable thread, like polyester thread. While sewing by hand, you need to sew with small, straight stitches so that the finished item can be better.

How to Sew Seams on Mesh Fabric

There are multiple ways to sew seams on mesh fabric. But most importantly, remember to choose a thread that matches the fiber of the mesh. Then how do you sew seams? The best way is to use a standard overlocking stitch. Alternatively, without an overlocking stitch, you can use a double straight line stitch too. It also provides a strong finish. What&#;s more, French seams work well with mesh fabric. Because it uses a series of folds and stitches to create a neat look, all the raw edges are hidden.

3 Choices for Finish Edges on Mesh Fabric

Here we will introduce three different choices for finishing edges on mesh fabric. First, to create a neat and pretty finished edge, you can use bias binding. Second, apart from bias binding, any type of trim or ribbon can also be used, which can add a special feeling to an enclosed finished edge. Finally, if you want a gathered edge, try to choose fold-over elastic.

How to Hem Mesh Fabric

To be honest, it&#;s not so important to hem mesh fabric because of its slippery and stretchy nature. However, if you really want to hem, the best way is to create a rolled hem with three lines of stitching. After all this hard work, you will find it worthy.

Conclusion

It seems like an impossible task to sew mesh fabric. During the process, you need to pay attention to so many details. But don&#;t be afraid; just give it a try! Even if the process is filled with difficulties, trying to sew mesh fabric by yourself will be a fun adventure, and it will give you a worthwhile finished item. We hope this article can be a good guide for you as you enter the sewing world. Now, start your own mesh fabric project!

Let&#;s start a new sewing adventure!

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