Thread: Sewing Sequins with a Serger? Help!

Has anyone ever tried to add sequins to say the bottom of a skirt with a serger? I tried this morning on my Brother 1034D and it was a disaster. I used the "Pearl Sequence" foot, (sequence, not sequins :) ) and I couldn't figure it out. Any other advice on how to do it?

The instruction sheet for the foot said to retract the upper knife, and for some reason I couldn't figure that out either. So I took it completely off, and I don't know what I was doing. Do you normally have the knives on when you do this?????

Any advice/helpful pictures are greatly appreciated!

My advice,
I sew sequins by hand and I use the strand kind.I rarely use a serger or sewing machine for sequins,crystals,or appliques. I hand sew them. I wouldn't want to take the chance to ruin the fabric if the machine goes wacky (as they often do)
If you hand sew you can sew the sequins in a diagnal //// is what the stitch would look like.
when i hand sew if i make a mistake I can take it out and do it again. And i can sit in front of the tv and do it.

Alrana

Yeah I understand what your are saying about the hand sewing, but it just takes too much time when you are doing the hem of a circle skirt!

Any help ladies/gents??? Shaynaz-didn't you do this on one of your skirts for the curly parts?

I don't have a serger, so I can't comment on using that, but I have used a sewing machine to sew on sequin string many times. I use a ribbon/sequin foot like this one: Kenmore Ribbon/Sequin Foot for Horizontal Sewing Machines - Model 97715 at Sears.com. It only works for single strands of sequins, and I think you can't use sequins much bigger than 6mm. If you set the seam to zigzag with maybe 5 width and 3-3.5 length, it does a really good job of sewing it down.

It is important to remember to put the sequin strand in the right direction (in the same direction as the "nap"). You usually have to pause periodically to flip one or two wayward sequins to go in the right direction before they feed into the slot in the presser foot.

If the thread matches the color of the sequins pretty closely it looks pretty darned good. I sew sequins on the bottom of all of my chiffon skirts, matching the color of the sequins to the skirt. It adds a little bit of extra oomph to the presentation without being overly ostentatious. (IMHO)

Originally Posted by khalisah

I don't have a serger, so I can't comment on using that, but I have used a sewing machine to sew on sequin string many times. I use a ribbon/sequin foot like this one: Kenmore Ribbon/Sequin Foot for Horizontal Sewing Machines - Model 97715 at Sears.com. It only works for single strands of sequins, and I think you can't use sequins much bigger than 6mm. If you set the seam to zigzag with maybe 5 width and 3-3.5 length, it does a really good job of sewing it down.

It is important to remember to put the sequin strand in the right direction (in the same direction as the "nap"). You usually have to pause periodically to flip one or two wayward sequins to go in the right direction before they feed into the slot in the presser foot.

If the thread matches the color of the sequins pretty closely it looks pretty darned good. I sew sequins on the bottom of all of my chiffon skirts, matching the color of the sequins to the skirt. It adds a little bit of extra oomph to the presentation without being overly ostentatious. (IMHO)

Hmmm sounds like it would be easier on a sewing machine! I need to check if that is a universal foot and if I can use it on my singer.....

Yeah, it's really easy with this foot. It doesn't have the learning curve of using a roll-hem foot, for example.

I believe that this is a universal foot, at least I gave an extra one I had to a friend with a different brand of machine and she is able to use it.

Good luck, and feel free to PM if you are having any trouble with using it!

Thanks so much!!!

I may try this, too! I have only added sequins once to a circle skirt and just zig-zagged them on, using the regular presser foot. It turned out fine, but this sounds better.

Do you get sequin trim at a regular fabric store, or do you order it? The local JoAnn only has so many colors.

Originally Posted by khalisah

I don't have a serger, so I can't comment on using that, but I have used a sewing machine to sew on sequin string many times. I use a ribbon/sequin foot like this one: Kenmore Ribbon/Sequin Foot for Horizontal Sewing Machines - Model 97715 at Sears.com. It only works for single strands of sequins, and I think you can't use sequins much bigger than 6mm. If you set the seam to zigzag with maybe 5 width and 3-3.5 length, it does a really good job of sewing it down.

It is important to remember to put the sequin strand in the right direction (in the same direction as the "nap"). You usually have to pause periodically to flip one or two wayward sequins to go in the right direction before they feed into the slot in the presser foot.

If the thread matches the color of the sequins pretty closely it looks pretty darned good. I sew sequins on the bottom of all of my chiffon skirts, matching the color of the sequins to the skirt. It adds a little bit of extra oomph to the presentation without being overly ostentatious. (IMHO)

I usually get sequins at either Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's or Hancock Fabrics. I have explored getting them online but have had limited luck in finding the colors I want. I even looked into buying spools of sequins wholesale from China, but ended up not doing it. Hmm, just bought some new fabric and need to start looking into this again. As I recall, the more successful search criteria for finding vendors were "sequin string", "sequin chain" and sequin + spool.

Well, living in southern Louisiana, we are blessed to have stores that sell the fabric/trims that are needed to make Mardi Gras costumes for the local crewes. I know there are 2 stores in Lafayette and one in New Orleans that sell these type of supplies. The one I frequent, Regalia, has a massive amount of sequins on spools, including the fabulous holographic ones in evry color imaginable. Gotta love it!!!! My wallet, not so much. I also feel better about the costumes I buy/make when I found out how much it costs to make a King/Queen/Princess/Prince outfit for the crewe........Don't even get me started on the crystals and rhinestone chain, sigh.

Originally Posted by kiyaana

I may try this, too! I have only added sequins once to a circle skirt and just zig-zagged them on, using the regular presser foot. It turned out fine, but this sounds better.

Do you get sequin trim at a regular fabric store, or do you order it? The local JoAnn only has so many colors.

Hmmmm. I shall have to try this too. Does the needle go through the hole of the sequin, or through the sequin itself? I imagine the needle must get dull quickly!

Originally Posted by JasmineRose

Hmmmm. I shall have to try this too. Does the needle go through the hole of the sequin, or through the sequin itself? I imagine the needle must get dull quickly!

The needle goes right through the sequins. I haven't noticed that the needles dull that quickly. I've used the same needle for multiple skirts' worth of sequining, I think. And the needles I usually end up using are maybe #9's, so they're pretty fine, too. But you might be right, they probably get dull and I just don't notice. :)

Originally Posted by JasmineRose

Well, living in southern Louisiana, we are blessed to have stores that sell the fabric/trims that are needed to make Mardi Gras costumes for the local crewes. I know there are 2 stores in Lafayette and one in New Orleans that sell these type of supplies. The one I frequent, Regalia, has a massive amount of sequins on spools, including the fabulous holographic ones in evry color imaginable. Gotta love it!!!! My wallet, not so much. I also feel better about the costumes I buy/make when I found out how much it costs to make a King/Queen/Princess/Prince outfit for the crewe........Don't even get me started on the crystals and rhinestone chain, sigh.

Ooh, am jealous, wish I had stores like that. I love holographic and iridescent sequins, and wish I had a place where I could go and see them all in person. Will have to remember that if I ever get a chance to visit NO again.

Originally Posted by khalisah

Ooh, am jealous, wish I had stores like that. I love holographic and iridescent sequins, and wish I had a place where I could go and see them all in person. Will have to remember that if I ever get a chance to visit NO again.

Yeah if you ever go and want the name of the place let me know!

Originally Posted by JasmineRose

Yeah if you ever go and want the name of the place let me know!

You know, that's a great idea! Please, yes, give me the name of the place. Maybe they have a catalog or can send me samples. Thanks for offering!
..g.:

There are
Lafayette, LA
Regalia *This is where I have been getting my sequins lately
Fancy Fabrics

Metarie, LA
Jefferson Variety

You should be able to google them and get their phone numbers....

Thanks girlie! I'll have to go check out JV on my next day off! :)

I wouldn't use a serger to sew on the sequins, too much thread going across the sequins will hide the sparkle.

I use the 'open toe' foot, on my sewing machine, with a long, wide zig-zag stitch.

As khalisah said, nap direction is very important!

Oh, and the wide zig-zag goes across the sequins (most of the time), it's ok when it goes through them.
And use clear monofilament thread, for your top thread, regular thread in the bobbin.

Originally Posted by gothique

And use clear monofilament thread, for your top thread, regular thread in the bobbin.

Hey, great idea - I'll try that!