How to sew Sequins to fabric : 10 Best & easy ways

I love Sequins. If you want bling, it is almost always SEQUINS for me. They are the ultimate in inexpensive glitter and sparkle. Sequins spell glamour, don’t you think so? Most of the T-shirts for girls now come embellished with sequins. They are on jeans, bags, barrettes, jackets, and even shoes.

Even when there are other embellishments like embroidery, applique, bead embroidery, or any other fabric embellishments, adding sequins is an easy super cool way to add that extra zing.

They are easily available as well. Just go to any bead shop or needlework embroidery shop, and you will get different shapes, sizes, and colors of sequins – you will be spoilt for choice.

Different types of Sequins 

Heart sequins, snowflake sequins, spoke sequins, square sequins, leaf sequins, navette sequins, oval sequins, shell sequins, star sequins, sunburst sequins,  sequin confetti, sequin mesh, sequin motifs – some of the types of sequins I found in a shop. Mindboggling.

Sequin confetti is sequins that come in different shapes. I have seen sequin confetti in the shape of Santa and loved it – Had to buy a pack but couldn’t decide on where to use it, though – maybe on handmade Christmas ornaments.

When you have completed an embroidery project, have you tried adding some beads or sequins to the surface – just a sprinkling makes a lot of difference – the vivaciousness of beads and sequins adds to the beauty of the embroidery project. You can use any of the methods explained here to attach the sequins.

Sewing sequins on fabric is quite easy, if you know some tips and some easy stitches. The method used depends on the type of sequins you have and the effect you want; If you want to attach the sequins in rows or if you want a random effect.

How to sew on sequins

Which Needle to use with sequins ?

You will need a small thin needle that will easily go through the holes of the sequins. I would use the thin beading needle. A crewel needle in size 10 also would do.

Which Thread to use with sequins?

You can use any kind of thread. I use matching cotton sewing machine thread . You can use a strand of embroidery thread as well.

Which color of the thread to use?

You will have to decide on the color of the thread yourself, depending on the effect you want.

If the sequins are a different color from the background fabric on which you are working, you will have to use either a thread matching the sequins or a thread matching the fabric. I would use the thread matching the sequins.

Or you can alternatively use an invisible thread. You will find invisible plastic thread used in most of the ready made clothes.

Starting to sew the sequins 

Before sewing, it is always a good idea to apply thin fusible interfacing to the back of the design area in your fabric. This way, no fear of the sequins weighing down the fabric or the holes made to attach the sequins becoming bigger after some time due to the weight.

Before you start, make two anchoring stitches where you want to add the sequin.

Method 1. Attaching individual sequins

You can sew single round sequins with the hole in the middle using one short straight stitch or several across the sequins, all starting from the middle hole. If using only one straight stitch, It will look better if you stitch the straight stitches all in one direction.

Make the anchoring stitches and thread the sequin on the needle. You may want to take several straight stitches if you want a really strong hold.

Some may have holes near the edges.

If you have sequin confetti, i.e., sequins with different shapes like stars, flowers make straight stitches at intervals across the shape (between the ridges they usually have) starting from the central hole.. 

Shaped sequins come in a range of shapes and sizes with either a single hole or several placed near the edge.

Method 2. Attaching sequins in a row with back stitches

A long line of sequins is sewn with back stitches, applying one sequin to each back stitch. You will have to ensure that all the sequins face the same direction for a uniform look.

You can sew these rows with both flat sequins and cup sequins.

• First, individually attach a sequin (make two anchoring straight stitches on either side of the sequins).

• Bring up the needle from the back two threads away from the sequin ( at C) you have attached. Now thread the needle with the sequin ( at C).

• Make one anchoring stitch to the front  and then again come up two threads from the sequin ( B-C).
• Thread another sequin and continue like this.

Method 3. Attaching sequins in a row – with two straight stitches

This is an extra secure stitching method. You will be making two straight stitches across the sequins in this method. You can also make the sequins lie side by side with this method.

Method 4. With straight stitches in a random fashion

This method involves stitching the sequins in a row with straight stitches from the top. This is not a very secure stitch nor does the sequin lie flat with this one. But for small sequins and fast stitching, this method is apt; Also, for dense filling of sequins inside a small design, this is suitable.

You can use a Nylon thread/ invisible thread to make the stitching thread look inconspicuous.

Method 5.  Attaching with a bead

This is mostly done when sewing cup-shaped sequins. Because of their shape these sequins look odd when stitched on top of each other like the second method.

After threading the sequin, thread a tiny bead and then go  back through the same hole under the bead to the back of the fabric.

If you have a very large sequin, you may need to add another sequin in between the bead.

Learn to make small flowers with sequins in this post on making bead flowers.

Method 6. Attaching large sequins at the edge

This is usually done with big sequins with a hole near the edge – they are called Paillettes / spangles

Attach them with a small straight stitch or two attaching the hole to the edge. You can also add a cup sequin and a bead near the edge for a more decorative look. 

Method 7. Using a special needle

You can attach the sequins with a very thin aari needle – check out the video for details. Very convenient and fast way if you get the hang of it. Practice. You can also check out this post on aari embroidery for more details and a step-by-step tutorial.

Method 8. Using fabric glue

This is quite easy – you just keep the sequins on a drop of fabric glue on the fabric surface.

I frankly do not trust fabric glue to survive frequent washings but for a quick fix and quick attaching, nothing like the glue. It sets in about 30 minutes.

Method 9. Attaching sequin trims

Sequin trims are long trims with sequins already threaded and stitched. They come in single rows or multiple rows of sequins neatly attached. They can be attached by hand (You should do a couching stitch ie, use a hand needle, and attach the sequins trim at intervals with small straight stitches across the trim) 

You can use the  sewing machine to attach the trim with a wide zig zag stitch; If you have a sequin foot or braiding foot very well, the sequin trim will slide inside the foot and make your job a lot easier.

You will have to ensure that the zig zag stitches land on either side of the trim and the needle is not hitting the sequins at any point during stitching

Related post : Braiding foot. 

Method 10. Using special sewing machines 

Of course, I do not have a machine with which to magically attach the sequins with the same look as hand-sewn sequins. 

But if I had, it would be a computerized sequins sewing machine which is what you see used in store-bought clothes – you never thought they painstakingly sew all those sequins on countless clothes, did you?

You need a lot of time and desire to sew these tiny sparkly discs.
But it is possible to sew sequins with your regular sewing machine, when using large sequins. You should use free motion embroidery stitches for this.

Checkout the post on free motion embroidery for more details.

The steps for sewing sequins with the sewing machine

• Use a small needle and monofilament nylon thread on the machine
• Keep the fabric stretched on an embroidery hoop.
• Remove the pressure foot.
• Anchor the thread with some stitches
• Keep the sequin in place.
• Make a stitch to the edge of the sequin first, then move the hoop and fabric so that the sequin hole is under the needle; take a stitch here and then move to the other edge of the sequin and make a stitch.
• Repeat for other sequins. 

Related posts : How to sew with sequinned fabric; Different types of beads; Basic bead embroidery stitches