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Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2022 4:01 am
by bajintas
Hi, I’m having trouble sewing pleats for a car seat, using @John s easy tuck and roll method.
I have both my vinyl and the scrim foam measured at 580mm.
When I finish sewing one length, the vinyl has shrunk by 10mm.
Could it be I have cheap vinyl, cheap scrim foam, or possibly my presser foot pressure is too high.
I have learned that pleats should be sewn at right angles to the stretch of the vinyl, so it’s not that.
Any suggestions most welcome
Thank you
Bob
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2022 4:11 pm
by MalcolmM
One of John's videos describes "shrinkage" due to sewing with foam, quite useful. Best to test your stitching on scrap material and then add extra for the shrinkage allowance, the thickness of the foam and the width of the pleat, as well as how your sew the seam will all affect the rate of shrinkage.
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:03 pm
by bajintas
Thanks @MalcolmM , John describes shrinkage across the pleat, and I have that figured out. What I’m talking about is shrinkage down the length of the pleat, so my top vinyl finishes up 10mm shorter than I started with
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:55 pm
by Rhonda
bajintas wrote: ↑Sat Jul 09, 2022 4:01 am
Hi, I’m having trouble sewing pleats for a car seat, using @John s easy tuck and roll method.
I have both my vinyl and the scrim foam measured at 580mm.
When I finish sewing one length, the vinyl has shrunk by 10mm.
Could it be I have cheap vinyl, cheap scrim foam, or possibly my presser foot pressure is too high.
I have learned that pleats should be sewn at right angles to the stretch of the vinyl, so it’s not that.
Any suggestions most welcome
Thank you
Bob
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:57 pm
by Rhonda
in your measurements did you use the worksheet he provides ? lets you figure your cut lengths and widths correctly. they work i have to use them .
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 12:09 am
by bajintas
Hi @Rhonda , yes I did. Finish length = 560mm, SAT = 20mm, Cut length = 580mm.
After sewing one length, my vinyl has shrunk to 570mm
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 12:36 am
by Rhonda
i always cut extra , but my measurements are not always right , I can't count the times my measurements have been off.
i have had the same issues . good luck to you and all you do , these upholstery jobs are not easy , if it were easy everyone would be doing it.
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 8:52 am
by bajintas
Thank you @Rhonda , I’ve come to the conclusion that with several layers of material stretching this way and that, it’s just about impossible to get it exact.
So I think you’re right. Just add a bit more.
No definitely not easy. But it’s fun and very rewarding when you get it right.
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 12:03 am
by BigRig
@bajintas ,
You can always cut off but not add on. Material is very expensive per yard even pattern material so I tend to be carefull but have accepted that there is a lot of waste.
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:24 am
by bajintas
Thanks @BigRig , sure is expensive. Locally, “cheap” vinyl is $25 a metre and the good stuff is about $32, so I don’t like to waste it. But as with learning any skill, there’s a lot of practice involved and therefore a lot of waste.
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:46 am
by BigRig
@bajintas , actually more waste when working commercially. I do not have the time to fuss and muss anymore so lots goes in the scrap bin.
Re: Vinyl shrinking with scrim foam
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:54 pm
by MalcolmM
bajintas wrote: ↑Sat Jul 09, 2022 11:03 pm
Thanks @MalcolmM , John describes shrinkage across the pleat, and I have that figured out. What I’m talking about is shrinkage down the length of the pleat, so my top vinyl finishes up 10mm shorter than I started with
Test. When I have done diamonds or faded diamonds I do a test sew with a premeasured piece of fabric then measure the results. The foam is the culprit more than the top fabric so you can use a cheap substitute over the foam to measure, you don't have to waste your best material. John's worksheet is very useful, but testing is best when you have unusual shapes or your material is expensive.