Tips for sewing with black fabric

A black cat doll is really cute, but people often avoid sewing them because sewing with black fabric can be difficult. If you're thinking of sewing with darker fabrics, especially black, here are some helpful tips to make your project a little easier...

1. Prioritise good lighting

When sewing with black fabric, it can be tricky to see your stitching, so good lighting is essential. Natural light works best, but if you’re sewing in the evening, consider using a sewing or daylight lamp. This will help reduce strain on your eyes and make sure your seams are sewn accurately 

2. Choose cotton over linen

Cotton’s tighter weave reduces the chances of white stuffing showing through, which is especially important when sewing with black fabric. Linen, on the other hand, has a looser weave that can allow stuffing to peek through, making this more noticeable on darker colours

3. Stitch with care

Always use a small stitch length when sewing dolls, and be sure to sew seams twice. This step is crucial when making any doll, but becomes even more important when sewing with black fabric to prevent stuffing from poking through the seams

4. Consider using interfacing

Before diving into your project, start by sewing a small part like an arm or leg and stuffing it. If loads of strands of stuffing are showing through, you might want to apply lightweight fusible interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric before sewing the rest of your doll

5. Use a ceramic white fabric pencil 

Finding the right tools to draw on dark fabrics can be tricky. I’ve tested lots of different tools over the years, and my favourite by far is a ceramic white fabric pencil. Chalk tends to smudge and doesn’t offer the precision needed for details like a doll’s face. The ceramic white pencil, on the other hand, allows for clean, accurate lines that stay put, making it ideal when sewing with black fabric. You can find the one I use in my Amazon storefront. With years of experience doll making, I’ve done the hard work of finding the best tools so you don’t have to!

6. Sew closed eyes

If you find embroidering a face on dark fabric difficult, consider giving your doll closed eyes. They’re simpler to sew and can look just as cute on your kitty

7. Combat fuzz and lint

Black fabric tends to attract lint, dust, and stuffing strands. Keep a lint roller or some sellotape handy, and use tweezers to remove any stubborn strands of stuffing that stick to the fabric

8. Press carefully

Pressing properly is particularly important when sewing with black fabric, as shiny marks can be more visible on darker materials if you are not careful. To prevent this, always use a pressing cloth between your iron and the fabric. You can read more pressing tips here  

What are your go-to tips for sewing dolls with black or dark fabrics? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – I'd love to hear them!