Gutermann Maraflex – a game changer for stretch sewing

It’s been over a year since Gutermann released Maraflex to the domestic market and in that time it’s become one of our top sellers here at Coles Sewing Centre. And no wonder, as this elastic thread with high stretch gives fantastic results. So what’s special about Maraflex and why should you use it?

Ordinarily, when you sew a garment with a stretchy fabric then you need to either use an overlocker or an overlock stitch on your sewing machine. Either way, you will use some form of zigzag stitch to allow your fabric to stretch. If you were to use a straight stitch with a sew-all thread on a stretch fabric then your thread would most likely snap when the fabric was stretched. Maraflex lets you sew with a straight stitch on a stretch fabric and will stretch right along with it, up to 80% on top of its original length!

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The amount of stretch you can get from a straight stitch sewn with Maraflex is incredible!

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Maraflex can be used for any number of applications, but is particularly useful for sewing with jersey, activewear, swimwear and underwear. With 80 colours to choose from, there’s a shade for every project! Gutermann particularly recommends it for high stress areas of garments such as necklines, cuffs and hems, as well as the seat of trousers. It isn’t limited to use with garments though – any sewing project where your stitching needs to stretch with your fabric, like upholstery and other craft projects, can make good use of Maraflex.

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Gutermann’s recommendations for uses of Maraflex

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Benefits to sewing with Maraflex

• You don’t need to use an overlocker. Not all of us are lucky enough to have an overlocker as well as a sewing machine! And even if you do have one, it can be a hassle to have to keep swapping machines depending on the type of sewing you are doing. With Maraflex then you can stitch your stretch fabric on an ordinary sewing machine with a straightforward straight stitch.
• You use less thread. Maraflex lets you optimise your thread consmption – sewing with a straight stitch instead of a zigzag stitch uses far less thread.
• Stretches along with necklines and cuffs. Small openings such as necks and cuffs have more give when sewn with Maraflex.
• Helps make your seams pucker-free. The elasticity of Maraflex gives beautifully smooth seams, preventing unsightly puckering.
• Easy to care for. You can wash at 60°C, use a hot iron, tumble dry, dry clean (any solvent except trichloroethylene) and use chorine/oxygen bleach – Maraflex can take it all.

Maraflex is ideal for high stress areas such as necklines and cuffs

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Tips for sewing with Maraflex

• Use a jersey/ballpoint or stretch needle in size 70-80. The correct needle is always important, whatever you are sewing. A jersey/ballpoint needle has a rounded end to prevent fibre breakage, while a stretch needle also has a special eye that helps to prevent skipped stitches and is especially useful for very high stretch fabrics.
• Works best with knits and stretch fabrics. Gutermann recommend that you use Maraflex with light to medium-weight knit fabrics such as jersey, or light to medium-weight elastic woven fabrics, such as fabrics that contain elastane.
• Use as both needle and bobbin thread. For best results you should sew with as little thread tension as possible and use the Maraflex as both your top and bottom threads. You will get optimal seam elasticity with 4 stitches per centimetre.

Optimal seam elasticity is achieved with 4 stitches per centimetre

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Where can you get Maraflex?

Maraflex comes in 150m reels and we have a thread stand in the shop with every available shade – you will find it above the Gutermann Sew-All threads. Of course, you can also order the whole range online by clicking here.

Rose has used Maraflex to shorten a stretch skirt and says it was ever so easy to use and sews beautifully, while the stitches stretch perfectly along with the fabric without snapping. Catherine says that you can’t get that level of stretch on a sewing machine any other way, even a zigzag stitch can’t compete. Some of our customers have bought Maraflex in a whole range of colours, which just shows that it’s fast becoming a staple of any stitcher’s sewing box! Give Maraflex a try on your next project, you won’t be disappointed!.

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This post is an updated version of one originally published on our WordPress blog on 10/12/21.