Quick Tips: Adequate Preparation

When sewing non-traditional materials such as leather, faux leather, or other materials that are less forgiving than traditional fabrics, Mary Beth Temple recommends testing the procedure on scraps before doing the real thing.

Especially when sewing cosplay items or other costumes, you may find yourself sewing leather, foam, vinyl, and other materials that will become perforated or otherwise damaged when sewn. This means that when a hole is made in that material, it remains, and you cannot unpick the seam and re-do it. For this reason, Mary Beth advises you do as much research as possible on the material and the procedure before sewing the project. Test on scraps using various techniques until you are completely comfortable. This will save you time, effort, and money in the long run.

For more tips on how to sew vinyl, leather, and other non-traditional materials, check out these videos:
Taming Tricky Fabric
How to Iron Vinyl
Sewing Vinyl with Tissue Paper