How to sew with clear vinyl.

[@annettecortez9834]

I've made tons of clear vinyl pouches. When I am ready to turn it, I turn my hair dryer on, lay it on my ironing board so the warm air is blowing inside the pouch and gently turn it. (It is also great to have 2 hands to work with.) It works every time. I found it also takes out those pesky wrinkles. Good luck. LOVE all your videos.

[@SpencerOgg]

Thanks. Great tip! I'm going to try that

[@cherylteare4526]

I’ve made lots of different clear vinyl bags. I like clear thread in my machine on both top and bobbin. I made a very large zippered bag that held all my Scan and Cut equipment and Silhouette cutting sheets. It worked out great!.

[@SpencerOgg]

That's a great idea!

[@carolynbrooks5948]

I live in Queensland Australia where it is very hot and sticky a lot of the year and the vinyl sticks to your machine when you are sewing larger projects. I saw a great tip recently that said to buy a Teflon baking sheet and cut a hole for your sewing plate and stick it down with a piece of painters tape or washi tape and the plastic will not stick to your machine while you are sewing your project.

[@SpencerOgg]

That is a brilliant idea !!! Thanks

[@ronniegagnon440]

Diane, As I was watching this I thought of a helpful hint. When turning your pouch or bag right side out, use a hair blow dryer on the vinyl just enough to limber it up. Not too hot now because you don't want to melt it, just make it pliable. That's my tip for today 10-10-2023 Thanks for your videos and patterns, I really enjoy them. God bless

[@SpencerOgg]

Thanks, thats a great tip!

[@AnneluvsKatz]

Never used it but you’ve made it seem doable

[@angelamcgovern1525]

A hairdryer works, makes it easier to turn and helps with the creases, I have to alter my tension when using tpu, thanks for the videoxx

[@SpencerOgg]

Good to know! Thanks

[@essipolho]

I have made a couple clear vinyl projects and I highly recommend warming the project up with a hairdryer before turning. It makes it so much easier. And remember to turn it fast, before the project cools down.

[@SpencerOgg]

Great tip

[@laurakammarmeyer1871]

I'll look forward to the airplane size!!Thanks!

[@kaytutton6131]

gentle heat from a hairdryer helps with turning

[@SpencerOgg]

Great idea!

[@suewalker8454]

looking forward to a airport bag will be great gifts

[@christinestaines335]

Great Idea, great tutorial. Thanks for the tips and hints and the inspiration to "get going". I would just add that I liked the idea of the semi-circular tabs on the zip and would like to see this operation in more detail. Thanks again.

[@SpencerOgg]

I can put a clip of slowed-down video on the facebook group if you add your question on there Christine. I literally just cut a semi circle out - (single layer) and attached to the zip end before joining the 'arms and legs' facebook.com/groups/spencerogg

[@nathaliec.5149]

Thank you! TPU clear vinyl is much easier to sew than PVC, but a bit pricey. A full tutorial on making the Pixie crossbody with clear vinyl would be amazing! ❤

[@SpencerOgg]

Great suggestion! I'll have to try some of that next

[@annefarnham718]

Working with leather has become my favorite, but I enjoy sewing with vinyl. For me, I have learned that turning the vinyl works best with my ceramic space heater. I hold my vinyl about 1 foot away from the space heater to soften the vinyl as I turn it. Just be careful not to get too close (melting?!). Someone had suggested using a hair dryer, but by the time i would put my hair dryer down, and Start to turn it, it was stiffening up again

[@SpencerOgg]

Thanks for sharing! Thats good to know

[@lw984]

I run my iron over the ironing board and get it really hot, then I lay down the pouch on it and you can manipulate it very easily and have both hands to do it. If it cools off, warm up the ironing board with the iron again. If you have wrinkles in your vinyl before you cut it out, again, heat up that ironing board, lay down the vinyl and throw a large ruler on top of it until it until it cools. It will cool down nice and flat. I use a very large square ruler but use what you have. Be careful if you have stability dots on the ruler, do not use that side! Just use the smooth side of the ruler or you may have a design in your vinyl you do not want! Love your patterns!

[@SpencerOgg]

Thanks - thats a great tip - especially the dots lol

[@carolynlasala5257]

Thanks. I’ve been wanting to sew more with clear but keep putting it off. These are great tips.

[@SpencerOgg]

You can do it! It was much easier to work with than I thought

[@pristinabread]

First you made me laugh at the beginning about the Mil sizes. Seem folks have alerted you to the hair dryer trick and thank you for sharing your learning journey. I see a lot of folks in the sewing groups making their own stadium bags. Vinyl is a hoot!

[@SpencerOgg]

It's great fun to work with isnt it - I see lots in my future :)

[@LynnAttard]

Thanks Diane, you always make everything clear and simple 👌

[@SpencerOgg]

Thanks Lynn xx

[@berniecelee5062]

This is timely ! I want to make TSC airport liquids bag for airport security, so I will be watching out for your next video on making one of that ! Ziplock bags I use for food is not working for us anymore… those rip and we have to toss in the garbage , not very good environmentally. Also good option for concert bags to be made of clear vinyl . You just gave me some excellent Christmas gift ideas for the younger girls who love going to music concerts . Very good video 👍👍👍 Thank you 🙏🏻…..now I wait for your next video drop on TSC airport liquid bag.

[@SpencerOgg]

Thanks, the airport bag video will be out Friday 20th October - just finishing it off. I use the plastic bags too and always end up ripping them.

[@MaryJoD]

Sometimes I take my iron and iron the ironing board heating up the surface, then rub the bag on the surface. The residual heat helps to shape the vinyl.

[@SpencerOgg]

Good tip!

[@janetgasston9888]

Thank you for a great video. I have not sewn with vinyl before but mite have a go , now I have tips on how to use it x

[@SpencerOgg]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Atheenah]

Fantastic tutorial! Thanks!

[@Earthwise001]

Hi Diane, I just found your channel and am so glad I did. You mentioned in your video about fabrics used in bag making that you would consider doing a more in depth video on a specific fabric if requested. So- here's my request. I am making bags with recycled 100% wool that I get from taking apart men's wool suit jackets I source from my local thrift shops. I would love to hear your tips on bag making with wool- what to use for interfacing- what would be good fabrics to use with it ( I do have mostly smaller pieces as I am deconstructing jackets) I am thinking leathers, waxed canvas, maybe denims? I will add that I only use natural, earth friendly products - no vinyl, no faux leathers or manmade products. Of course others may feel differently. Lastly thank you so much for your instructive videos. They really are very helpful.

[@SpencerOgg]

Sounds great - we love a bit of upcycling! Definitely use an interfacing as wool tweeds are so loosely woven they fray very easily. I'll add that one to the list Paula!

[@Kim-xg1vm]

Thank you for sharing! I hope there will be a New pattern in the making designed for clear or printed vinyl👜😊

[@SpencerOgg]

There may be!!

[@arcticfox50]

A couple of things to add when working with the clear plastic, if they have not already been mentioned. One is the ends of the zippers can be flamed even when the bag is constructed, and the viny does not melt, as long as you are quick and keep the flame moving And 2, even with the heavier vinyl, if you use a blowdryer to heat your vinyl, just 3 seconds on high, and the turning out of those corners becomes as easy as cutting butter with a hot knife!! No more struggling

[@SpencerOgg]

Great tips, thanks 😍

[@dturk1385]

Great video! Thank you! ❤😊

[@theresacobb6501]

I have sewn on clear vinyl before and I never really thought of all the little tips and tricks that you outlined. I love the idea of using the Pixie bag pattern. You have inspired me to try something new with clear vinyl today. My biggest problem in the past is how to tell the thickness when purchasing. I have not found it clearly marked on the rolls at the store, The heavier wt. is much more difficult to turn but I am going to try the hair dryer idea. Thanks Diane.

[@SpencerOgg]

I've found the thickness isnt always stated too - at least I have a little micrometre I can measure it with lol. Some websites state the thickness and others don't. If you are struggling to turn a real thick vinyl - make sit with the seams on the outside then you dont have to - it still looks great as a feature

[@theresacobb6501]

@@SpencerOgg I'll have to try that. Could be an interesting look. Thanks.👍

[@suerush704]

Thank you so much for this video, I just asked this question & you've explained it all GREAT! 😊

[@SpencerOgg]

I'm so glad! Thank you

[@sewsimplysuzan]

Thanks!

[@SpencerOgg]

Oh wow, thank you so much 😘😘😘

[@karendowd8910]

I have made vinyl project bags and vinyl tote bags, the extra long zippers are a great tip, if the vinyl sticks to your machine bed i have taped a piece of paper on the bed which seems to work! As for turning, I use the steam from an iron, the hair dryer works and when the heat is running i use the heating vent 🙂 thanks for the video

[@SpencerOgg]

Great tips! thanks Karen

[@cherylh8924]

I've made a bag for my daughter with black leather on the front and clear vinyl on the bag, she uses it to take to concerts, so she doesn't have to take everything out when they want to check her bag. I could have used these tips then, now I will have to try another without turning the air blue (LOL)

[@SpencerOgg]

Thats a great idea to mix the clear with fabrics and vinyl - definitely going to try that next

[@joysullivan9031]

thank you diane, learnt a lot

[@SpencerOgg]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karensimons4153]

great information, thanks for sharing

[@SpencerOgg]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MichelleMeads]

My machine also struggles with the vinyl sticking to the foot - I have started using removable ‘magic’ tape to the bottom of the foot and that works well.

[@SpencerOgg]

Great idea

[@donnagreen7386]

I like vinyl and like the clear as well and as long as you know what it likes it sews fine. I’ve just been trying to make an airport liquids bag and the stat was ok but I’ve not had chance to tweak it yet. Think I’ll leave it to the expert instead 😃. Wanted to make them maybe with a small grab handle for a girls trip next may 😃

[@SpencerOgg]

I'll have it ready for you on the 20th! Hope you like them

[@donnagreen7386]

@@SpencerOgg I’m sure I will! 💜

[@cathysutton1589]

great ideas

[@christina.and.things]

I tend to topstitch on the zipper tape rather than the clear vinyl. And I didn’t catch if you mentioned it, but I use clear tape to help the vinyl glide on the machine (and a Teflon foot). Also, sometimes a higher tension helps!

[@SpencerOgg]

Great tips! Thanks Christina

[@kimpeppercorn5053]

I just started my 1st project. Used a Teflon foot, tissue paper and tried leather needle, universal and denim needle. 20 gauge vinyl, polyester thread and stitch length of 3.0 and 3.5. All seams end up with terrible birds nests on the bottom side. Any advice? I did retread machine to make sure all was correct.

[@SpencerOgg]

Absolutely! Turn your top thread tension to maximum and try it again - hopefully that should solve it

[@liz.mcdonough]

Thanks Diane for this video. I’ve not used clear vinyl but was wondering if it is much different than regular vinyl or faux leather? I usually make my bags with faux leather. Thank you.

[@SpencerOgg]

It's similar, but actually easier to sew as its more rigid and you are working with less layers, though it is thicker. My machine had no problems tackling it and I didnt have any of the 'stickyness' problems when sewing that I was expecting. I definitely wouldnt attempt adding bulky seam allowances and linings, but it makes amazing quick and effective looking pouches and bags, definitely worth a go :)

[@pattystein3143]

Diane, my machine tends to collect lots of loops on the back when sewing it to itself. If I sew it to cotton, it isn't a problem. I can't figure out why that is happening.

[@SpencerOgg]

Try adjusting your thread tension, if that doesn't work, try your presser foot tension too

[@catherinedraper7788]

to get wrinkles out you can leave the plastic out on a hot day and the wrinkles will come out. I do mean a hot day though (I live in arizona) and it comesout fast

[@SpencerOgg]

Could take us a month or so in the UK lol. Great tip xox

[@DrFumblesMcStupd]

It might work in less hot weather too, but I haven't tried it. I work at a fabric store here and when we sell plastic in the summer we tell them not to leave it in the car because it might melt together 😂

[@nancejack56]

I got confused right off the bat due to measurements.. I live I. USA and even when ordering clear vinyl in our facebook groups the gauge is different so I’m sad I don’t know the difference 😩

[@SpencerOgg]

We need to find a conversion chart - I'll keep Googling :)

[@62mags]

Higher the tension better the stitch, low tension causes nesting at least that's what I've found sewing it x

[@SpencerOgg]

Great tip, thanks xx

[@MWoo-f3o]

The gauge of the vinyl is the measure the US uses so that is better than micro inches lol😂

[@SpencerOgg]

Great! - we need to find a conversion chart now :) I'll Google!

[@Sewsweet08Australia]

Just warm it with a hair dryer then turn through

[@GordanaBubalo-sl5ls]

Diane, use an hair dryer

[@SpencerOgg]

Great tip!