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plether sewing problems

user-217721 | Posted in Talk With Us on

I’m making my son a halloween costume (fireman) and am working with plether for the first time.  I’m having problems trying to get the plether to feed through my sewing machine, it keeps bunching up after the presser foot. 

Replies

  1. KarenW | | #1

    Try putting strips of tissue paper (like doctor's examining table paper) along the seam lines both on top and on the underside against the feed dogs.  If you don't have any of this adding machine tape can also work.  Should help it to feed along more smoothly.

    Karen

  2. mygaley | | #2

    Karen's tip about paper on top and bottom works. I keep about 2-3 discarded patterns close to my cutting table. If you need tissue strips you can just cut the partially folded patterns (use the kitchen shears!)to make long lengths of strips. Galey

    1. NewRenaissanceWoman | | #3

      Sewing with Pleather is similar to sewing with real leather, the foot tends to stick or bind on the fabric. An additional suggestion (to using paper or other tear-away) is to get a teflon foot if one is available for your machine. Silicon spray or liquid also works to make the foot glide easier

      1. User avater
        blondie2sew | | #4

        Wow this is wonderful,I just bought some of this fabric to make some Build-a-Bear clothes for my girls. I got it of course on a great sale......but there it sits so this forum was a wonderful find for me!!That confirmed my thinking that I should treat it like I was sewing leather thanks so much...in doing so would I also use a leather needle too? This is what I was thinking as well.....Thanks
        Connie

        1. Betakin | | #5

          I have found that sometimes a roller foot works better than a teflon foot. I think it just depends on the weight or thickness of the plether, plastic or leather.

          Edited 10/26/2006 3:03 am ET by Betakin

          1. User avater
            blondie2sew | | #6

            I am sewing with a pfaff with idt. would that act as a roller foot when engaged? Thanks
            Connie

          2. Betakin | | #7

            One of my machines is a Pfaff with IDT and I have used it on plastic coated canvas with no problems but the fabric was lined. I was sewing both single and multiple layers.  I have used it with the IDT on synthetic suede and it  also did a nice job. I have used the roller foot more than a teflon foot on my other machines for such materials. I didn't see a roller foot available for my model Pfaff. Pfaff sells several non stick feet. I believe for regular stitching with one of these feet the IDT is engaged for regular sewing but for any deco stitching with the other non stick deco feet offered I believe the IDT is "not" engaged. I suggest to try the IDT with your regular foot and see how it does first then try a non stick foot with IDT engaged. You might get more info on the Pfaff website that shows the different feet available for your model. My Pfaff has never let me down on any fabrics that I have used so far. It is my only mechanical machine, my other two are computerized models. I love all of my machines but since I purchased my Pfaff a few years ago, I prefer to use it for all the heavy and odd fabrics.

            Edited 10/26/2006 4:06 pm ET by Betakin

          3. User avater
            blondie2sew | | #8

            Thanks for your insight!!Of course I love my Pfaff as well I do have a older Computerized model. I have had for 15 plus years......bought it new..a Creative 1475cd.And I totally agree I have had no problems sewing on what I have used however I have not (thus all my questions) sewn with plether and vinyl and such!! I will hold off then in getting the teflon foot! I too haven't seen a roller foot. I will ask I have my Sew Fun tonight at our Pfaff dealer so that is a question I will ask to them. Thanks againConnie

          4. Betakin | | #9

            Oh please do come back and post about what your Pfaff dealer said about using the foot and the IDT. I haven't sewed on plether with my Pfaff either. With one of my old machines (not a Pfaff) that I no longer have it did the best job with the roller foot on a very thin vinyl. IDT does make all the difference in the world doesn't it? Have you tried just sewing it with the regular foot? I love my Pfaff. BTW, my youngest daughter's name is Connie.

          5. user-217721 | | #13

            I also tried baby powder on the plether but it was a little messy but it worked perfectly and I'm using my grandmothers 1960's Singer sewing machine that stitches beautifully (still). 

        2. NewRenaissanceWoman | | #10

          I always use a leather needle when sewing real leather but use a regular needle for ultrasuede, as per the Ultrasuede directions which specify a regular needle. Doesn't Pleather have a microfiber backing? If so I think it would be OK to use a regular needle. I have sewn some vinyls in the past but not for a while. I'm glad someone else mentioned a roller foot. I forgot about them when I wrote. Try the various combinations on some small scraps and just use which ever one works out the best.

          Good luck with your project

          1. User avater
            blondie2sew | | #11

            Thanks to all of you who have suggested all these different ways!!I went to my Sew Fun club this evening and I am excited to say that I asked all my questions and you also answered them as well!!Yes when working with plether. OR Vinyl since the weight is not like leather a regular needle like 12 or 14 is just fine. And yes my material does have a flannel like backing. I guess you can call it micro fiber. So thus as you stated just treat it as a regular fabric with a regular needle.
            As for my IDT feature:
            I did ask about my IDT feature and she said again as always stated.....use a scrap fabric and test it out! Which of course I knew too but who wants to do that!! Well to get your results you want the little extra steps to prepare is of course a must! And was also stated amidst these postings So I am holding off on a buying another foot for my machine and seeing if my regular foot will work with my IDT feature (which is the same as if someone has a roller foot) Also to see if my feature will make marks in the fabric as well, as bunching the fabric, as someone mentioned!!Hopefully it won't!! The foot for my machine is like $59.99 and not what I wanted to spend at this point!! It is a non-stick (Teflon) which will still let me engage my IDT feature. So maybe in the future someday I will add this foot to my collection however I am hoping not now!!So back to my machine to play with this fabric and see how my cool Clothing for all my girl's Build-a-Bear friends turn out!! Thanks again you guys are the best!! And Some of the simplest things you already may know, but have just a little doubt and with everyone's helps and suggestions we have that AH Hah moment!! Huge Smiles
            Connie

          2. mygaley | | #12

            "Some of the simplest things... " Well Put! Galey

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