What Is Minky Fabric And How To Sew Minky Fabric
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The Minky is undoubtedly the star fabric of children’s creations, but not only! It is used and abused because it is a lovely fabric to the touch that is available to satisfy all tastes. It is often found in the realization of comforter, plaid, washable diaper, etc. So, to succeed in sewing Minky, whatever your sewing level, we suggest you discover more about this fabric and explain how to proceed. Let’s get into what is Minky fabric and how to sew Minky fabric.
What is the Minky Fabric?
The Minky is a polyester fabric. Its extraordinary softness characterizes it, and for a good reason, it is short velvet fabric. It is frequently found with polka dots or welts. The patterns are then formed by the alternation of longer hairs and short hairs.
It also exists in corduroy; it is the same principle used for its creation: the shorter hairs draw a line then, next to it, the longer hairs draw a raised line and so on. There is also a short pile; the velvet then has a smooth appearance. The back of the Minky is made of a jersey weft.
What to do with Minky?
The Minky can be used for making many accessories, but also clothes.
We can imagine a very soft blanket for a baby or little slippers, a backpack for a child, or even a soft toy. We can use it for the little ones on the clothing side, such as making scalable harem pants that are warm and comfortable for winter, a jacket, etc.
You can also use it to create children’s clothes; for example, opt for a very cozy hooded sweatshirt. Does this fabric make you want it? It is not reserved for the youngest; you too can enjoy its comfort.
It can certainly be used for clothes for the home, but also for making a sports outfit or even a winter garment. The Minky comes in so many forms that you can imagine anything.
In addition to that, it is now possible to find very nice models that will allow you to make original creations. It is a fluid, supple, and very soft fabric that will lend itself to many projects that will be very comfortable to wear. Finally, the last point, but not least, is a fabric that does not shrink. It is for all these reasons that he quickly became the star of velvet fabrics.
Maintenance of the Minky Fabric
The Minky is made of hot-pressed fabric. As a result, the heat may damage it.
You can therefore machine wash it without problem, provided, however, that you remember to set the temperature to 30 °. However, we do not recommend the dryer. It is best to let it air dry. Especially since it is a fabric that dries relatively quickly.
Finally, ironing is generally not necessary. However, if you ever need to iron it, be sure to set the iron to a low temperature and work on the wrong side of the fabric. Its maintenance is ultimately rather easy.
How To Sew Minky Fabric
It is necessary to use a thread and a needle suitable for the Minky fabric. You can opt for a 100% polyester yarn.
Prepare and cut
If you have chosen to combine your Minky with another fabric, to make a lining, for example, remember to wash this second material. This is because the Minky may not be washed before being cut because it does not shrink. However, the fabric (s) that will be used with it may shrink. It is therefore important to machine them beforehand, to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Secondly, locate the direction of the hair, especially for a garment, a plush, etc. To recognize it, just stroke the fabric and watch in which direction the hair is lying. You will be able to cut the fabric in the right direction, that is to say, in the direction where the pile is lying.
Finally, place your Minky upside down to trace your elements. You can use an erasable marker for this. It will allow you to postpone your pattern without stretching your fabric. If you have a rotary cutter, it will allow you to cut while leaving your fabric flat. Otherwise, be careful not to pull on the fabric when cutting. If you are cutting two layers of fabric, feel free to pin them generously to prevent them from moving. Once cut, roll your items or keep them flat so you don’t risk finding them warped when you sew them.
Tips To Sewing Minky
Tip #1 – Don’t let the fabric stretch when you cut it
This is especially important if you have to sew it on another fabric that is not stretchy. To do this, lay the Minky flat, folded, and use pins to keep the edges aligned to prevent the fabric from slipping when you cut it. You can also use weights.
Tip # 2 – Pin! A lot!
Pin every 2 to 3 cm along the machine-stitched edges, it will make a big difference! Otherwise, the fabric will slide under the presser foot and therefore stretch, which will give folds. Even better, build!
Tip # 3 – Use a special presser foot, a double feed presser foot
If you sew a lot of Minky, it’s worth the investment. This foot will hold the fabric well thanks to its feed claws which allows the fabric to advance evenly, without creating folds. With a standard presser foot, only the underside of the fabric is fed, and since the Minky is a slippery fabric the underside and underside of the fabric may not be fed the same if using a standard foot which is inconvenient then. that with a double feed foot, the fabric is fed evenly, which prevents it from slipping!
Tip # 4 – Prewash the other fabrics that will be sewn onto the Minky
This is because the Minky will not shrink so it does not need to be prewashed. But it would be silly for other fabrics to shrink in the first wash!
Tip # 5 – Do not iron the Minky
Otherwise, it will be damaged! If you need to iron the cotton lining, do so with the iron set to a minimum.
Tip # 6 – Pay attention to the direction of the hairs.
Before cutting, look carefully at the direction of the pile to cut the fabric in the correct direction. Also, remember that topstitching so the hair stays flat gives a more flattering result. If you want to topstitch your work, be sure to topstitch in the direction the hair is layering for a nice result.