DIY Sequin Blazer | New Look 6231

Earlier this summer, I thought that I’d try my hand at working with sequins. I had seen it a ton of times on the runways and thought that I should see what the trend was about. Since sequins can be a bit difficult to work with, I read a few blog posts and watched some videos to get the gist of it. 
The first tip that I read suggested using a leather needle to sew through sequins; however, others made the point that this could be damaging to your needle, and ultimately to your machine. I decided to take the latter advice and remove the sequins from the seam allowance. It was a bit time consuming, but I did not break a needle with this method and it was much easier to sew.
If you decide to work with sequins, I would suggest only using the fabric for a simple garment, such as a pullover dress. This blazer had a lot of pieces that I had to remove sequins from, so I wouldn’t recommend this particular pattern for sequins.

Here are the steps that I used:


Step 1: Trace your seam allowance. 
On the wrong side of the fabric, mark off your seam allowance, typically 5/8”, using a seam gage or ruler. Trace around the pattern pieces using tailor’s chalk.


Step 2: Remove sequins from your seam allowance. 

Using the line that you traced as a guide, begin removing the sequins with the seam allowance. On the wrong side of the fabric, simply rip the thread using a seam ripper or thread snipper. Be careful to only cut through the thread, as you’ll want to salvage the sequins to hand sew back into sparse areas once you’re done constructing the garment.


Step 3: Line your fabric. 

Lining helps with ease of getting into the garment and to protect the skin against rough fabrics. Therefore, it may be necessary when working with sequins, which tend to have a rough underside from all of the threading. Add lining to your fabric as you construct your garment. *I skipped this step

Step 4: Fill in sparse areas. 
Sequins will fall out during the construction process, but don’t fret. Just single thread your needle with the appropriate thread color and sew your excess sequins back on.
Be prepared to have sequins everywhere! Despite vacuuming and sweeping multiple times, I still found myself picking away sequins months later. My husband pretty much said the they weren’t allowed in the house again. ? Nonetheless, it was a fun, once in a lifetime, project with some gorgeous sequins.
Fabric Used: http://amzn.to/2xI4ZPa
Pattern Used: http://bit.ly/2y6wiPm (only as a guide)
Bag (Similar): http://amzn.to/2yfCt4p (mine was a gifted Victoria’s Secret bag)

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