Beyond quilters cotton: Laminates!

    Here around the shop we (still) are loving working with laminates in just about anything from bag linings to raincoats and ponchos. Its the new summer trend. (think a fun summer beach bag lined with laminate for your wet towel and suit!) Embrace this new trend, get lost in what's happening now, go ahead theres nothing wrong with that. Trends reflect what we as a (sewing) culture enjoy in the moment, and more than one trend has gone on to become a classic. Laminated cottons just might make that transition.

     Laminated cottons are similar to oil cloth, but not nearly as stiff. The cotton prints are coated with a thin layer of polyurethane (which, according to Westminster Fibers, does not contain phthalates and is not make with vinyl or polyvinyl chloride). These laminates are water resistant, yet have a nice drape to them. They're not nearly as heavy as oil cloth, which is made from canvas. Makes me want to make the best looking raincoat around, a new summer beach bag or a hip picnic table cloth for summer grilling. In the shop we've been making samples with laminate for over a year and still cant get enough of them, especially with new fun prints coming out. 

Why not try this fun summer ruffle apron with any one of our laminate prints in the store. 

click on the picture for the FREE pdf pattern

There's no magic required to make great laminate projects, once you get a few tricks in your sewing bag:

• Choose a pattern with simple lines and not a lot of piecing or detailed sewing. And just say no to gathers or eased seams, because laminates really don't give. 

• Don't try to straighten the grain; laminates will not shift.

• If you're making a garment, check the fit and make alterations to the pattern before you cut it out.
• Cut a single layer with the right side up. For pieces cut on the fold, fold wrong sides together.
• If you wish to cut two layers you will want to use your rotary cutter, not a scissors. Use pattern weights to hold the laminates firmly to your cutting mat.
• If you must use pins, pin only in seam allowances because with a laminate, a pinhole is forever, baby!
• Mark with chalk or a smooth-edged tracing wheel.
• Use an 80/12 Mictrotex needle. ( A smaller needle makes a smaller hole.)
• Use a longer stitch length (3mm or more) for seaming and topstitching. Shorter stitch lengths might end up perforating the fabric.
• I had great results with a walking foot, but a Teflon Presser foot or a Roller Presser foot may also help prevent the presser foot from sticking when you're sewing on the laminated side (a plus when topstitching).
• A warm iron is okay on the WRONG side, but keep that heat away from the right side or it'll be Melt City! I also used a press cloth as extra security.
• Machine wash your laminate projects on delicate, and tumble dry on low, or just hang it to dry.

    Now that you have a ton of tricks in your bag, go ahead and create a project. You'll be surprised how fun and easy sewing with laminates really is. Here are our favorite shop projects, all with laminates:

    Raindrops Cape by Fig Tree Threads made with Little House pink letter laminate designed by Annette Tatum. We made this spring poncho with our soft laminate, lined it with a pink solid flannel and finished with a fun pink houndstooth binding. The perfect spring accessory for any little girl.

     If a cape isn't your style, why not a fun raincoat complete with a hood, and pockets to hold all your rainy day finds. We made this one using Amy Butler's Little Splashes pattern and her Love laminate. 

     This fun new lunch bag is one of Terry Atkinsons new patterns out for spring called Wine and Dine. The pattern features a lunch bag with both silverware pockets and slip to hold your drink. Line the bag with any cotton print or choose a coordinating laminate for durability. To provide additional insulating properties to our bag, we used insul-bright as an optional interlining. 

    What young girl wouldn't love a laminate lined make-up bag? This is Terry Atkinsons Zippy Strippy pattern made with Weekends fabric by Erin McMorris. Another great laminate project made here in the shop with Weekends fabric is our On-the-Go trash Bag!

     Hang this from the head rest in your car for the perfect trash bin, plus with the laminate as the lining you are able to wipe out any messes! 

     All of these great laminate projects can be found in the shop, along with fun laminates to make any of these your own. So, now that you have new tricks in your bag go ahead and try something new...working with laminates.