• Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Let's Learn To Sew
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Start Here
  • Sewing Basics
    • Sew Alongs
    • Pattern Making Basics
  • Online Workshops
    • Free Sewing Machine Boot Camp
    • Sewing 101
    • Sewing 101 For Kids
    • Serger 101
  • Sewing Patterns & Supplies
    • Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Join Our Community
×

Sewing with Denim: Tips and Tricks for Stress-Free Sewing

September 22, 2016 by Margaret 2 Comments

Denim may be a wardrobe staple for most of us but it can be intimidating to work with. Here are a few tips and tricks to make sewing denim stress-free.

Jeans and a  t-shirt make up about 85% of my wardrobe. Denim is comfortable, it can be dressed up or down and is very durable.  Denim may be a wardrobe staple for most of us but it can be intimidating to work with. Here are a few tips and tricks to make sewing denim stress-free.

Getting Your Fabric Ready

Don't skip the pre-wash, EVER, especially when it comes to denim! Pre-washing your fabric is especially important when working with denim because it will soften the fabric. Since denim is thick the softening makes it easier to work with. I usually wash my denim twice and without anything else in the wash. Pre-washing denim not only softens it but also removes the extra dye and prevents shrinking on your finished project. Many people suggest adding vinegar to the rinse to prevent the dye from bleeding. You can find hundreds of articles online on why you should and shouldn’t.

Machine Setup

Denim is heavier than traditional cotton or cotton blend fabrics. Increasing your stitch length between 3-4 will help. The thicker the denim the longer the stitch needs to be. I like to take a scrap piece of my denim and stitch out on it before I begin my project. This allows me to make sure my tensions are balanced and I have a nice-looking stitch.

When you start sewing place both thread tails under the presser foot and to the back. As you begin sewing hold both thread tails in your hand, hold them firmly but don’t pull them.  This will help in avoiding a bird's nest.

Needles

Always use a denim/jeans needle. As with choosing any machine needle, choose a bigger number for thicker fabrics and a smaller number for thinner fabrics. Denim needles are shaped differently from all-purpose machine needles. If you want to prevent broken needles, skipped stitches and ugly topstitching, do not skip changing out your needle. If you need more information on choosing machine needles check out:  How to Choose the Correct Sewing Machine Needle

Thread

Use high-quality thread. I use an all-purpose thread for sewing the seams on lightweight denim and then use heavy-duty denim thread for the topstitching.

Tools

Only sharp tools will do!  A good, sharp pair of scissors or a new blade on your rotary cutter will make cutting denim easier.  Since denim frays a lot, zig-zag or serge raw edges right after cutting out pattern pieces, before even starting to assemble or cut out the pattern pieces using your pinking shears.

Seams

Pay attention to seams. Keep your iron handy and your seams pressed flat. Reduce bulk as much as possible by trimming seam allowances, clipping curves, and mitering corners. If you have two paired two seam allowances meeting try to offset them.

Do you have any tricks for sewing denim? I'd love to hear them!

Tips and Tricks For Sewing With Denim

Related Posts:

  • Free Christmas Stocking Pattern
    Free Christmas Stocking Pattern
  • Sew Like A Pro: 5 Tips To Improve Your Sewing
    Sew Like A Pro: 5 Tips To Improve Your Sewing
  • Sewing Machine Safety: 10 Tips To Avoid Injury
    Sewing Machine Safety: 10 Tips To Avoid Injury
  • Top 3 Tips for Sewing With Knits
    Top 3 Tips for Sewing With Knits
« Top 10 Sewing Machine Stitches To Master
How to Use a PDF Pattern »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet

    September 23, 2016 at 10:19 am

    Awesome tips! This will come in so handy!

    Reply
  2. Barbara [email protected]

    September 29, 2020 at 10:43 pm

    Great tips!! I’m glad to know I can just use a heavier needle instead of having to buy a special denim needle. I am so bad about not using the right needle.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Start Here Sewing Basics Serger Basics Resources Pattern Testers Online Workshops Pattern Making Basics Sew Your Own Wardrobe Alterations Mending & Repairing

Recent Posts

  • Online Sewing Course for Kids
  • How to use Double-sided Fusible Tape
  • How to Join and Pattern Match Fabric
  • How to Sew a Christmas Stocking
  • Top 5 Mistakes To Avoid Before Cutting Fabric

Footer

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • About Me
  • Affiliate Program
  • Copyright, Disclaimer, and Disclosure

© 2023 Let's Learn to Sew· Log in