Sewing Minky Type Fabric Combined with Cotton
Minky fabric is soft and plush, making it ideal for many projects including incredibly cozy baby items. Combining cotton with this fabric type calls for some special accessories and techniques you might not normally use. Luckily, there are some great sewing tips for managing the two different layers when combined together. You’ll be creating cute, cozy projects in no time with minky type fabric.
Here are a few sewing tips to help you sew minky type fabric combined with cotton:
Understand that minky type fabric has a velvety texture, with pile that gives the fabric lift. A regular presser foot will push against the soft fibers, making it hard to sew a seam without distortion. For best results, select a closed toe walking foot or MuVit digital dual feed foot to help sew smooth seams. Accessory feet shown in the above photo all have even feed capability, helping layers to stay together and advance evenly as you sew seams. Check your machine manual to see what foot is available for your Brother sewing machine. One of these feet may be included with your standard accessories or available as an option. The following feet are shown in the photo from left to right:
-SA196 Brother Dual Feed MuVit foot. This foot is adjustable, so you’ll want to test out a sample to determine proper settings. Learn more about this foot HERE in this previous Brother blog post.
-SA101 Brother Dynamic Walking foot with normal and open toe sole included.
-SA140 Brother 7mm Walking foot.
Minky type fabric can be heat sensitive, so test your iron temperature and iron on the cotton side of the combined fabric piece.
Set machine for a straight stitch and sew with a longer than normal stitch length. I like to set my length at 3.5 to 4.5.
Use long flat pins to secure layers together, using two rows with the first row pinned end to end. Be sure to remove pins as you sew. You can also combine pins with small, specially designed fabric clips. See Figure #1.
Figure #1
To test your stitches cut two 10-12 inch long strips of each fabric. Place right sides together, sew a seam, and check to see if any adjustments need to be made. See smooth finished seam in Figure #2.
Figure #2
Note: Seam should be smooth, without puckers or stretching, and the seam should end with both pieces of fabric measuring the same length. Adding more pins, using a longer stitch length, sewing more slowly and handling fabric carefully, can all be used to improve the quality of the seam. If you are using the dual feed foot you can also make adjustments to the speed of the belt. I like to sew with the minky type fabric on top, carefully easing it in with a sewing stiletto as I sew.
I hope these tips help you with your next minky and cotton combination project. Happy Sewing!