When sewing with minky or other plush fabrics, you’ll need all the basics required for sewing in general: a sewing machine, fabric scissors, pins, and any other tools you love using. If you’re an experienced sewer, you probably already have a collection of favorite tools! For instance, fabric clips can be incredibly helpful when working with thick layers of fabric, as pins may not hold them securely.
Now here’s the thing: Sewing with minky comes with unique challenges that don’t occur with regular fabrics. The plush fibers, particularly with long-pile minky, require special care during cutting, sewing, and appliqué. While these tools aren’t mandatory, they’ll make working with minky and faux fur much easier – and a lot more enjoyable.
Handy helpers for sewing with minky and other plush fabrics
1. Lint Roller
A lint roller with sticky paper is an absolute lifesaver when working with minky. During cutting, some fibers inevitably get trimmed and shed, creating lint. While careful cutting can minimize this, it’s nearly impossible to avoid completely. A quick swipe with a lint roller efficiently picks up loose fibers, keeping your workspace tidy. These rollers are readily available at drugstores or home goods retailers.
2. Handheld Vacuum
For projects involving long-pile minky, a handheld vacuum can be incredibly useful. It allows you to quickly clean up stray fibers right after cutting, saving you time and keeping your workspace clean.
3. Self-Adhesive Book Cover Film
This creative trick prevents fibers from flying everywhere while cutting minky. Place the fabric’s right side onto self-adhesive book cover film before cutting.
- For short-pile fabrics, cut the fabric and film together, then peel the film off afterward. This not only minimizes mess but can also make cutting easier.
- For long-pile fabrics, cut the fabric without cutting through the film. Once you’re done, simply peel the fabric off the film. The stray fibers will stick to the adhesive, leaving your sewing room lint-free.
Check out this video from our Youtube channel that shows the first 3 handy helpers in action:
4. Dryer
A simple trick for minimizing lint after cutting is to toss your minky fabric pieces into the dryer on a low-heat setting for about 10 minutes with a damp cloth. This removes any remaining fibers clinging to the edges of your cut pieces, ensuring your fabric is ready for sewing! Check out this video to see the dryer magic:
5. Washable Fabric Marker
When it comes to transferring patterns to minky fabric, we think washable fabric markers are a must-have. Their markings disappear when you wash the fabric, giving you full control over when the marks vanish. This makes them a much better choice than self-erasing markers, which can fade before you get the chance to sew – especially if, like me, you only have a few evening hours to work on your plushie or cozy project.
For the best results, opt for a marker with a thick tip. Thick tips glide smoothly over synthetic fabrics like minky and require less pressure, reducing the risk of compressing the pile or shifting the fabric. While fine-tip markers offer precision, they often require more pressure to leave a visible mark, which can be challenging on fluffy fabrics like minky. Additionally, we’ve found that fine-tip markers tend to get caught in the weave of minky, making them less practical for this type of fabric.
Here are the washable fabric markers we love to use (affiliate links):
6. Stabilizer
Since minky is a stretchy fabric, using a stabilizer when embroidering or appliquéing will make a huge difference. Opt for a tear-away or water-soluble stabilizer that sticks to the back of your fabric. This keeps your fabric from shifting while sewing and ensures a clean, professional finish.
We use this tear-away, self-adhesive embroidery stabilizer (affiliate link):
7. Embroidery Film
The plush fibers of minky can sometimes poke through the stitches during embroidery or appliqué, leading to uneven results. To avoid this, place a layer of water-soluble embroidery film, like Avalon Film by Madeira, over the fabric before stitching. The film holds the fibers in place, leaving your design crisp and clean.
These are the embroidery films we use (affiliate link):
8. Walking foot
Onother tool that will make a HUGE difference is a walking foot for your sewing machine. Minky’s slippery texture and stretch can cause the layers to shift as you sew, leading to uneven seams. A walking foot helps feed the fabric layers evenly, reducing slipping and stretching. Check out this video from our kullaloo Instagram channel to see the difference a walking foot can make:
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With these tools and handy helpers, sewing with minky becomes much easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re creating plush toys, blankets, or accessories, these handy helpers will ensure your projects look professional while saving you time and frustration. Happy sewing!