No Sew Solutions vs. Traditional Sewing
When to Glue or Fuse & When to Sew & How to Sew Buttons to Stay
Sewing, whether by machine or hand, sends some people in search of any alternate solution. It’s truly amazing how much time and energy some will spend to avoid the most simple sewing. Buttons poorly sewn will pop off fairly quickly, but sewing buttons to stay is simple and quick. Safety pins are an unsightly way to hold hems in place, fusible bonding tape looks better, but sewing trumps both. Applique is often done with fusible web, and other fabric crafts are often easier to assemble with fusibles or glue. Knowing when to sew or when to glue or fuse can save both time and frustration.
Buttons Need to be Sewn
Knowing how to sew buttons to stay keeps this basic necessity from being an exercise in frustration. Even buttons with shanks need a thread shank which prevents fraying of the threads holding the button. Buttons can even be sewn in stacks for a custom decorative touch.
How to Sew All Buttons, Including Buttons With Shanks
- Use a heavyweight thread or a double strand of regular sewing thread, 24” long. Do not knot the end of the thread. Bring the needle and thread up from the back of the fabric at the center of where the button will be. Leave about a 3” tail of thread.
- Go through one hole from the back of the button and back down through the second hole. Go back through the fabric in the same place the needle came up. Holding the tail of the thread out of the way, come back up in the same place and through the button again and back down 2 or 3 times, and repeat for a 4 hole button. The button should be fairly loose at this point.
- Bring the needle and thread up and through the button one last time. Before going back through the fabric, tightly wrap the thread around the threads between the button and the fabric 6 or 8 times. Put the needle through the fabric and securely knot both ends of the thread together. Sink the thread ends between the fabric layers and clip.
Bonding or Gluing a Hem
Sleeve hems and skirt or pants hems can be bonded with fusible hem tape, but it’s important to know that bonding is permanent and can discolor fabric. Some fabrics can’t take the amount of heat necessary for a proper bond. The bonding glue can show through lightweight and light colored fabrics. It also adds some stiffness to the hem, affecting the way lightweight garments hang. Check the instructions on the fabric glue before using for hems. Some are washable, some are dry clean only. Repeated washings can cause the hem to come undone.
Sewing Hems
Sewing a hem is is the still the best option for lightweight and light colored fabrics. For heavier and dark fabric, it should be okay to use fusible hem tape as long as you’re comfortable with it being permanent. Fabric glue can be used, but even the ones that claim to be flexible still add some stiffness. If in doubt, sewing is always the best option.
Fusible Applique
Applique using fusible webbing is an alternative to time consuming hand applique and machine applique. While it saves time, it results in a stiffer finished product Hand quilting can’t be done through the fused layers, and the bonding agent can gum up a sewing machine needle. Terry Grant has a great technique for using Liquid Thread Glue that fuses only the edges of appliqued shapes. Fused applique, with raw edges is definitely a different look than traditional sewn applique, it’s a matter of preference.
Fabric Crafts
Crafts using fabric to cover picture frames, album covers, just about anything that can be covered with fabric, are perfect for fusibles and glues. Purse making can also be included here. Fusibles sometimes aren’t practical when trying to bond fabric to non-fabric surfaces. Glue works well, but usually requires drying time. An instant and strong bond can be achieved with double stick carpet tape available where carpet supplies or hardware is sold. Carpet tape is thicker than fusibles, and can leave a slight ridge that usually isn’t a problem. It’s great for holding fabric in place where it’s not practical to pin and the tape can remain in place. Fabric crafts are much easier and faster with glues and fusible, even tape!
Sometimes You Have to Sew, Sometimes Glue, Fuse or Even Tape!
A satisfactory finished product should be the goal in deciding to sew (by hand or machine), glue, fuse, or tape any project that uses fabric. It’s silly to spend more time and energy avoiding sewing than a few quick stitches would use. That works the other way as well. Don’t turn yourself inside out to sew something that can be easily taped, glued, or fused with great results. The trick is knowing when each works best.
Also check out my articles Art Quilts or Traditional Quilts & Color for Quilters.
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