For the look of leather at a lower cost and tougher strength, consumers often look to vinyl fabric. A man-made material which is essentially plastic, vinyl wears well, cleans well, and comes in an array of colors, making it a popular choice in many situations. Follow these tips and tricks for working with vinyl fabric to help your projects go smoothly.
Vinyl Fabric for Upholstery
Working with vinyl fabric is easy for DIY projects like reupholstering a seat cushion in your home. Choose your vinyl fabric, grab some fabric scissors and a staple gun, and you’re good to go.
Prep your seat by removing the old fabric and staples and then replace the foam cushion if necessary. Once the piece of furniture is prepped for new fabric, simply measure the area being covered, or for an easier method, measure the old piece of material.
Next, cut the vinyl fabric to fit with a few extra inches for overlapping, pull taught around the piece, and staple to the underside. There’s no need for sewing.
This same method can be used for all kinds of furniture, even an entire couch. It’s wise to try small projects first until you get the hang of it.
Sewing With Vinyl Fabric
Vinyl is a strong material, making it an excellent choice when sewing. Before beginning an important sewing project, practice on a few small scraps to get the feel for vinyl fabric and avoid making frustrating mistakes.
Leather and denim sewing needles work well for a sewing machine when sewing with vinyl fabrics. Basically, you can use vinyl along with your everyday sewing machine for whatever you want. However, it’s recommended that a heavy-duty machine be used for heavier weight vinyl, such as upholstery or marine vinyl.
Because vinyl is thicker than some materials, try putting some tissue paper on top of it when feeding through the sewing machine if the vinyl wants to bunch up.
When To Use Vinyl Fabric
Vinyl has many uses! Here are some ideas for simple, at-home sewing projects:
- Baby bibs
- Beach bags and diaper bags
- Seat cushions
- Outdoor pillows
- Journals
- Wallets and purses
Use these ideas and add to the list as you come up with more of your own for at-home projects. Here are some common uses for vinyl when a heavy-duty machine is used:
- Awnings
- Restaurant seating
- Vehicles
- Massage tables
- Boats
- Indoor and outdoor furniture
Follow these tips and tricks for working with vinyl fabrics and enjoy exploring the many uses of this versatile and easy-to-care-for material.
All Vinyl Fabrics is your trusted source to buy vinyl fabric online. We service large companies, small businesses, and consumers at home who choose vinyl as their trusted fabric.