Non-Traditional Ways to Iron Oilcloth

Oilcloth is a PVC product so you never want to take an iron to it. Instead we have to get tricky when sewing seams that we would normally press. I have 3 simple methods for you to try; finger pressing, book pressing and crease pressing.

Book Pressing is very easy, but it can cost you time. It's best for projects that need a really crisp edge or for really thick seams. Simply lay a stack of books on top of your seam(s) for a few hours or overnight. Gravity and the weight of the books flatten out your oilcloth so you can stitch with ease.

This next one is just a good old finger press. All you do is rub your finger, thumb or the palm across the seam that you need to be flatten and tamed. Tip: I always press both my seams off to one side when working with oilcloth, it's just gives you a nicer finish. Trust me trying to keep open seams flat on oilcloth is a losing battle.


The last method I have for you is the crease press. I do this when I work with the 1" oilcloth trim that I used on the floor mat in At Home with Modern June. All you have to do is fold your trim in half and rub the oilcloth trim along the edge of your table. This just creates enough of a crease down the center so you can sew fast and free!

I hope this helps you in your addiction to oilcloth!

XOXOX,
Kelly

Sewing with Oilcloth Tip: Sticking Together

You've probably noticed that oilcloth and laminated cotton are pretty sticky but that's not always a bad thing. Use the stick to your advantage.  When you cut two pieces from the same pattern piece place the right sides of the fabric together and the two pieces of oilcloth will naturally stick together.

This is really handy when your using a rotary cutter, mat and ruler to cut out a project. You'll need to do a lot less pinning!

Here are some tips to get you through that sticky business while sewing.

Sewing with Oilcloth Tips: Tracing Patterns

Ever wonder how to mark your pattern pieces onto oilcloth? The regular methods such as pinning and spiky tracing wheels just won't do, they would leave your project full of holes before you even started your project. Never fear, here are two methods that work well.

For this first method, just raid your sewing supplies and pull out a point turner and tracing paper. The sharp edge of the point turner is great for making small details. See how I made an X to mark the snap placement on my Sewing with Oilcloth Garden Apron pattern?

The second method is great for stitch lines and darts, just use a flat or smooth edged tracing wheel and your tracing paper. This handy tool can be found in the notions section at any large fabric shop. I think it's better to use this method if your using tissue paper patterns, I worry that the point turner would rip your pattern.

When it comes to buying tracing paper, might I suggest that you don't buy the double-sided paper. Oops! Luckily the markings came off of my oilcloth with a little rubbing.

Oilcloth: Orange Mums!!

OCA Sewing Tip: Top stitching with Teflon Presser Feet

I bought a Teflon presser foot for a photoshoot for my upcoming book, Sewing with Oilcloth, that's due out in August. So, when I was making a laminated cotton apron the other day, I was pleased to have this on hand. I've always just made due with my roller foot,  but let me tell you this bad boy was worth all $48 of the precious dollars that it cost me (Bernina presser feet always cost a fortune, but not every company has such high prices for specialty feet).

Top stitching a pocket onto my laminated cotton apron was a totally breeze once I switched feet. Laminated Cotton has a tendency to get caught up under a normal presser foot or a roller foot--because of this I've ended up with little pinches and tiny pleats in my past attempts at top stitching (not pretty, not acceptable!). If you don't have a fancy Teflon Foot and don't want to invest in one, try out the tape trick, it helps a lot!!!

Happy sewing,
Kelly

Oilcloth Tip Roundup

In an effort to make sewing with Oilcloth fun and easy, we've gathered our tips for easy access. Gotta tip to share? Leave us a comment and we will pass it on to our readers!

Pressure Foot Tape Trick
Pressing Oilcloth Tip
How to Cure Chalk Cloth
Pinning Oilcloth Tip
Finger Pressing Oilcloth Tip
Best Presser Foot when sewing with Oilcloth
Best Needles for sewing with Oilcloth

OCA Sewing Tip #5---Pressing Oilcloth

We are well over due for a new oilcloth sewing tip, aren't we? Remember back a few months ago when we chatted about how to press oilcloth, well here is yet another technique that is very handy when you really need a crisp finish to an oilcloth project.

For a really good press ask Martha to lend a hand, my Martha Stewart Craft Book collection helps me ever time. Yesterday I needed to "press" a few dozen oilcloth dish gloves for a Modern June wholesale order so I grabbed a handful of my books and a nice big tray to do the job.

When you are faced with fluffy folds just neatly stack your project under the pile of large books.

Before


After

Since I had a few dozen cuffs to contend with I made two stacks and then placed a wide tray under the books, then topped it with a heavy suitcase. Now just leave it there overnight and in the morning you will have a beautifully pressed project.

Now, go get crafty!

Call for tips and tutorials

Do you know a great tip or have a super tutorial that involves oilcloth well bring it on! OILCLOTH ADDICT is looking for more great ideas. If you have something great to share with us we would love to see it. OCA will gift you a set of four fat quarters for your submissions. Please contact us at Kelly@modernjune.com for further details.

Tips for pinning oilcloth!

Pinning oilcloth together can be tricky.
You can leave puncture marks that may never go away. So here are some tricks of the trade.

Cloths pins can be great for adding a lining into an oilcloth tote. Instead of straight pins you just keep the two pieces together with good old cloths pins
and as you go along you just get take them off. Easy peasy!


I do use straight pins often, I only place them near the stitch line so any holes the pin may leave behind is along with the stitch line. Pinning with straight pins is hard of the hands if you have several layers. I often keep needle nose pliers near for taking the pins out,
this save my nails a bit. If I were smarter I would also use a thimble!


This is good for small projects like the upcoming label tutorial. They come off to easy for thick or large projects so beware in that case!


Binder clips are handy. But they will leave a crease so get to sewing soon. The longer the clip is on the deeper the groove left behind.

OCA sewing tip #3---PRESSING OILCLOTH

Oilcloth can not be pressed with an iron in most cases. You can use a very low temp iron on the back side but I really don't suggest it. Trust me, I have had my fair share of accidents.

So how do I get a nice finished look to my oilcloth products? Well, I finger press-- A LOT! I simply use my fingers to create folds and creases while I am sewing. I do this by running my fingers across the oilcloth several times while applying pressure. This heats up the oilcloth and makes it supple and easier to crease.

If I have a lot of layers and some extra time I will place my project under a pile of books.

Note: As in all sewing there is a big difference in pressing and ironing! When working with oilcloth pressing is good, ironing is bad.

OCA sewing tip #2: Presser Foot

When sewing with oilcloth it is as important to have the right presser foot. Oilcloth has tendency to crawl and to not want to stay put, this results in puckers at every pin. Using a roller foot or a teflon foot will help remedy this. When you use one of these handy presser feet you take some of the friction away and have less puckers in your seams.


My roller foot (number 51) is made for the Bernina machine it is a bit costly around $60.00. Suzanne, a Modern June stitcher and future blogger here on OCA, purchased the Bernina Teflon foot, the cost was around 26.00. But don't get upset just yet, I have another stitcher that uses a Kenmore machine and she lucked out, she found a roller foot at Joannes that fits her machine, the cost...$5.00! Now that is a steal!

Suzanne has used both the Bernina feet and likes them equally. She did say that it would be more convenient to use the roller foot because teflon feet are not to touch the feed dogs. She says she would have to think less!

Get creative and make something cool today!

OCA sewing tip #1: Needles

Let's get this party started! OCA sewing tips are here to help you make the best oilcloth project possible!

As in all sewing you have to start with a good needle, the OCA team prefers Schmetz Needles I can find them easily at our local Joanne's fabric store or check out Erica's online sewing shop for them too, she has them for 4.30 a 5 pack.

Now lets talk needle size...for general sewing I use a size 12, I switch to a size 8 needle when I do any top stitching.

check back for more sewing tips from the OILCLOTH ADDICT BLOG!

Now go and check out the oilcloth selection at the OILCLOTH ADDICT store and get sewing sister!