How to Avoid Puckers When Sewing
- 1). Be sure to pin together the fabric pieces evenly. Place pins at intervals of approximately 1 inch.
- 2). Guide the fabric layers evenly through the sewing machine. Do not push, pull, or tug on the fabric.
- 3). Make sure that your machine stitch length is appropriate to the fabric. A stitch that's too short or too long will cause the fabric to pull or pucker. You'll find a stitch-length guide in your sewing machine manual.
- 4). Take care with very thin or single layers of fabric. Some very thin fabrics will pucker if the stitch length is too long.
- 5). Use the appropriate needle for the fabric and make sure that the needle is not damaged in any way. A needle that is the incorrect size may cause your fabric to pucker, as will a nicked or worn needle.
- 6). Make sure that the presser foot exerts the appropriate amount of pressure on the fabric. Most machines regulate this automatically; however, some older machines require you to make this adjustment manually.
- 7). Check the machine's tension. A too-tight tension device may cause puckers, especially with a zigzag stitch. Your machine's tension device may also be out of balance.
- 8). Make sure your bobbin is wound evenly.
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