Tips for Sewing with Cuddle® Minky Fabric

Use these 8 tips for sewing with Cuddle® Minky fabric to get the best results in your minky sewing projects!

SPONSORED POST: Missouri Star Quilt Company provided me with the Cuddle Minky Fabric used in this tutorial as part of their Pretty in Pink promotion. All content is 100% my own. You can learn more about these Missouri Star Quilt Co products and Cuddle Minky Fabric HERE.

pastel forest animals on a white background Cuddle minky fabric with a walking foot, stretch needle, rotary cutter, polyester thread and adhesive spray

What is Minky Fabric?

There are many different manufacturer’s of minky fabric. Today, I’ll be using Cuddle® Minky Fabric by Shannon Fabrics. Cuddle Minky is a high-quality 100% polyester plush fabric.

Having said that, in the general sense, minky fabric is a 100% polyester plush fabric. It’s great for making quilts, pillows, accessories and even clothing. It’s a super soft fabric that has a subtle nap (like velvet) and stretches in only one direction.

Video Tutorial

You can watch my video tutorial on Tips for Sewing with Cuddle Minky Fabric. I’ll explain each tip and you can get a better look at the tools I use when sewing with minky fabric.

Tips for Sewing with Minky

Tip 1: Use a Rotary Cutter

When you are cutting minky fabric, it’s always best to use a rotary cutter and to cut the fabric from the wrong side. This will help to prevent stretch and give you straighter cuts!

Missouri Star 45mm rotary cutter laying on top of minky fabric with an acrylic ruler

Tip 2: Look for the Nap

Minky fabric has a nap. Sometimes it’s subtle, but you should be able to at least feel it when you run your hand up and down the fabric. When you are piecing minking or using minky on the top and bottom of a quilt or blanket, you’ll want to make sure the nap is going in the same direction.

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want the nap to run downward. So, in the case of a blanket or quilt, from the top of the quilt to the bottom of the quilt. In otherwords, when you run your hand down the fabric, it should feel smooth. When you run your hand up the fabric, you’ll meet some resistance and the fabric will feel more rough.

hand showing the nap on Cuddle Minky fabric

Tip 3: Use Basting Spray

Minky fabric can be slippery and it has a natural stretch (it is a “stretch” fabric). Sewing with minky can be a little tricky. You’ll get better results if you use basting spray on the back of the minky fabric. This will temporarily hold the fabric in place and help to prevent shifting and stretching.

can of Spray-n-Bond basting adhesive laying on top of white and pink cuddle minky fabric

Tip 4: Use a Walking Foot

If you have a walking foot, you’ll definitely want to use it when sewing with minky fabric. Because the fabric is bulky, stretchy, and slippery, a walking foot will help to prevent distortion when sewing.

Tip 5: Use a Stretch Needle

Because minky fabric is a stretch fabric, you’ll find better results sewing if you use a stretch needle. As an alternative, you can also use a denim needle or even a Microtex needle.

Tip 6: Use Polyester Thread

I recommend using polyester thread with minky fabric. Polyester is stronger, more durable, and will simply work better with minky fabric than cotton thread.

Tip 7: Practice!

If you’re unsure about sewing with minky, the fabric you’ve chosen, or even the thread you plan to use, one of the best things you can do to help improve your results is to practice!

What do I mean by “practice”? You take a small sample of all the fabrics, batting, and thread and practice your stitching. Make any necessary adjustments.

For example, you may need to try different brands of thread. Not all polyester threads are created the same.

pastel forest animals cuddle minky fabric on the sewing machine

Tip 8: Batting

First, let me state, that you do not have to use batting with minky fabric. But, the choice is totally yours. There are a couple of advantages to using batting: one, it actually makes sewing with minky easier. And two, it gives more stability/structure to the project.

I like to use cotton or bamboo batting. But the choice really is yours. Or, do like I’m doing in this tutorial and totally skip the batting!

Tip 9: Stitch Length

I use a slightly longer stitch length when sewing with minky fabric, such as 3.0mm. You do not want to use a short stitch length as it can cause the fabric to bunch up and simply make your stitching too tight.

More Sewing Tips

If you enjoyed reading about my tips for sewing with Cuddle Minky Fabric, you might also like these other sewing tips from Hooked on Sewing. You’ll find 12 Tips for Using Your Sewing Machine, Tips for Sewing with Vinyl, Tips on Sewing Corners and sew much more!!

12 Tips for using your sewing machine. From reading your manual to cleaning your machine regularly.

Sewing Ideas

You’ll also find tons of sewing projects and patterns right here on Hooked on Sewing! Everything from Sewing a Basic Pillowcase to sewing a Casserole Cozy or even Making a Baby Bib, plus sew much more!

Download this free printable Baby Bib Pattern and use your favorite fabrics or quilt block to make an adorable custom baby bib!

Learn to Sew

If you’re new to sewing, or maybe it’s just been a long time since you’ve sewn, or maybe you’re just feeling a little rusty or maybe you’d simply like to learn more about sewing. Then you’ll want to sign up for my FREE Learn to Sew series.