Can You Sew With Fishing Line – You Should To Know

Crafting minds never stop exploring and expanding the possibilities of creativity with their skill. The same thing goes for sewing enthusiasts too. Unconventional ways have always been the core movement for creative people that always bring forth unique results. Sewing enthusiasts often try to do such as well and one of them is, sewing with fishing line. Experts recommend making sure you scan through without skipping the steps for achieving the optimal result.

While the fishing line may not be your typical sewing thread, it has gained attention in survival groups and forums for its strength and versatility in emergency situations. So, you might be wondering the question, Can You Sew with a Fishing Line? In this article, we’ve shared and discussed information like the types of projects where it can be useful, tips, and techniques for successful sewing with fishing lines.

Key Takeaways

  • If you have the right tools and proper guidelines, then you can easily sew with fishing line and get optimal results.
  • To see if they really work you can try sewing hem with it.
  • Take note of the types of fishing line to gather a better idea of which one to pick to serve your purpose.

Can You Really Sew with Fishing Line?

Can-you-really-sew-with-fishing-line
Can you really sew with fishing line

Well, yes it is possible to sew with fishing line. But it’s not the best option for regular sewing projects at home. People often discuss using fishing lines for stitching on survival forums because it’s strong and readily available in emergency situations. The fishing line is actually quite sturdy and can be used to sew tough fabrics like canvas, nylon, and Kevlar, which are commonly found in backpacks and bulletproof vests. If you’re just doing regular sewing, it’s not the ideal choice.

Using a strong thread-like fishing line can actually do more harm than good to weaker fabrics. Normally, the thread is weaker than the fabrics it’s used to join together. So, if the thread breaks under tension, you can simply sew the fabric again. But if you’re using the fishing line on a regular fabric, the fabric itself is more likely to tear, and fixing that can be more challenging and expensive.

  • Decide how curly you want your hem to be and find a cylindrical object that matches that size, like a tissue paper roll or a permanent marker.
  • Attach one end of the fishing line to the cylinder with tape and wrap it tightly around until you have the desired length. Attach the other end to the cylinder.
  • Use a blow dryer to heat the coils of the fishing line on the cylinder. This will help the fishing line retain the shape of the cylinder. Allow it to cool down before removing it.
  • Set your sewing machine to the zigzag stitch setting and choose a thread color that matches your fabric.
  • Position the fishing line about 1/8 of an inch from the edge of your skirt or dress. Leave about 20cm of extra fishing line at the end.
  • Fold the edge of the fabric over the fishing line and place it under the presser foot. Lower the needle to secure the folded fabric, then lower the presser foot.
  • Start sewing with a zigzag stitch, creating a tight casing around the fishing line to lock the folded fabric in place. Guide the fishing line from the front and back of the needle to ensure it stays in the middle.
  • Once you reach the end of the skirt, trim any excess fabric with scissors. To secure the end of the edge, tie a knot on the fishing line near the edge, then cut about half an inch from the knot. Sew over the fishing line tail to cover it completely. Repeat the process on the other end of the fishing line. That’s all! You’ll have the finished article right in your hand.

How to Sew a Curly Hem with Fishing Line?

How-to-sew-a-curly-hem-with-fishing-line
How to sew a curly hem with fishing line

Here’s the Step-by-Step Tutorial about How to Create a Curly Hem with Fishing Line to see whether it actually works or not.

Step 1: Gather Materials

  • Lightweight fabric such as organza, chiffon, tulle, or lightweight silk
  • Fishing line (60 pounds or your preferred weight)
  • Scissors
  • PVC pipe or a smaller cylinder (to create the desired coil effect)
  • Tape (regular tape or microwave-safe tape)
  • Iron
  • Sewing gauge
  • Pins
  • Sewing machine
  • Decorative stitching foot (optional)
  • Embroidery scissors

Step 2: Measure and Cut Fishing Line

  • Measure the perimeter of the area where you want to add the curly hem (e.g., the hemline of a skirt). 
  • Cut the fishing line to the required length using scissors.

Step 3: Prepare the Fishing Line

  • Attach one end of the fishing line to the top of the PVC pipe or cylinder using tape.
  • Rotate the holder while keeping tension on the fishing line.
  • Continue wrapping the fishing line around the holder until it is completely wrapped.
  • Secure the end of the fishing line with tape.

Step 4: Shape the Fishing Line

  • Warm up the fishing line to make it malleable and hold its shape.
  • Option 1: Microwave the holder with the fishing line for 10-15 seconds (if the holder is microwave-safe).
  • Option 2: Place the iron on a hot setting and use steam to warm up the fishing line (be cautious not to melt anything).
  • Allow the fishing line to cool completely while maintaining its shape.

Step 5: Prepare the Fabric Hemline

  • Cut the fabric pieces for your project on the bias to allow for stretch.
  • Fold up the hemline to the desired width (e.g., a quarter of an inch).
  • Pin the folded hemline in place.
  • Press the fabric using an iron to create a crease on one side.

Step 6: Sew the Fishing Line into the Hemline

  • Set up your sewing machine with a regular zigzag stitch.
  • Optionally, use a foot meant for decorative stitching to help guide the fishing line through the machine.
  • Insert the fishing line into the folded hemline, ensuring it is enclosed against the folded edge.
  • Zigzag stitch over the fishing line, avoiding sewing through the fishing line itself.
  • Gradually feed the fishing line through the machine, holding it on both sides for smoother stitching.
  • Complete sewing the fishing line into place.

Step 7: Finishing Touches

  • Trim the raw edge of the fabric close to the zigzag stitches using embroidery scissors.
  • Be careful not to cut into the stitches or the fabric on the other side.
  • Admire your finished hemline with the enclosed fishing line and zigzag stitches.

4 Types of Fishing Line

There are various types of fishing line and not all of them are suitable enough to serve the purpose you’d be using for, here are the popular 4 fishing lines which are used by experts and people around the world:

1. Monofilament Line

When it comes to fishing lines, monofilament is the go-to choice. It’s popular because it’s available in various strengths and colors, and it won’t break the bank. Monofilament has some great features: like, it stretches to absorb shocks, resists abrasion, and maintains a neat shape on the spool. It’s also easy to tie knots with.

Monofilament line
Monofilament line

2. Braid Fishing Line

It is the second most popular finishing line after the monofilament line. Regarding the especially among them, If you’re looking for strength, a braid fishing line is a winner. It’s incredibly strong for its diameter, often twice as strong as monofilament. This means you can pack more lines onto your spool at a given pound test. Braid sinks faster casts farther, and trolls deeper than monofilament. Plus, it has zero memory, so you don’t have to worry about loops and twists causing problems. 

Braid-fishing-line
Braid fishing line

3. Fluorocarbon Fishing Line

Fluorocarbon fishing line is a versatile option for freshwater, saltwater, and even fly fishing. It’s commonly used as leader material. The beauty of fluorocarbon lies in its invisibility underwater, making it perfect when you need a stealthy approach like the monofilament line.

Fluorocarbon-fishing-line
Fluorocarbon fishing line

4. Wire Fishing Line

When it comes to toothy fish like mackerel or tuna, wire fishing line is the way to go. It’s specifically designed to withstand the sharp teeth of these fish. Wireline comes in single-strand and braided varieties.

Wire-fishing-line
Wire fishing line

FAQs

What can you make with a fishing line?

A fishing line can make a very effective and nearly indestructible stitch for heavyweight fabrics like ponchos, jackets, tents, and bags.

What kind of fishing line to use for sewing?

Braided fishing lines are better for sewing since they are flexible and tieable as traditional thread materials along with better strength.

Can You use a fishing line for jewelry making?

You can make jewelry with fishing lines. A fishing line can be used when making necklaces and bracelets.

Final Thoughts

So, at the end of this discussion now you have a detailed breakdown of the steps and methods to execute your sewing project with fishing line. To avoid any further hassle prior to or after the work make sure you have the accurate materials and the tools. To add a further note, experts don’t recommend it for long-term use since handling this task requires a tight skill set and a specific approach however, having them in your potential would ensure you as a right fit for this task. Make sure you maintain the steps without skipping any information.

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