Cuddle® by Shannon Fabrics is a premium polyester, microfiber plush knit minky fabric.  It only stretches along the length of grain (excepting Cuddle® Dimple).  This limited stretch makes for more stability when sewing.  Also, once the cut edge has been cleaned up, it stops shedding.  Less expensive minky brands from discount/box stores often stretch both ways and continue to shed.  Purchasing the “best” will make your sewing experience a whole lot more fun!

Preparation

• Cuddle® will not shrink.
• Cuddle® is a polyester, and unlikely to bleed. However, red may be the exception and the manufacturer suggests pre-washing.
• Cotton fabrics – particularly flannel – may shrink when washed. Since the Cuddle® won’t shrink, the manufacturer suggests pre-washing your cotton fabrics before cutting and making your project.
• Always use a Teflon press cloth if pressing is needed, and test first on a scrap. Polyester has a much lower melt point than cotton.

Cutting

• Check your nap is going the right direction before cutting.
• When using pattern pieces, use pattern weights instead of pins for more accurate cutting.
• Trace around the pattern pieces with a felt tip or ballpoint marker (not too fine of a marker or it will catch in the fibers). Cut on the line (or add seam allowance per the pattern’s instruction. Acrylic rulers/templates may also be used for your cutting tool to guide against.
• Make cuts from the wrong side.
• Cut with the right tool: Use a rotary cutter, scissors (preferably serrated), or craft knife for 3mm depth pile. For longer piles, cut with a craft knife or scissors (preferably serrated).  For very long pile such as faux fur, use a craft knife. 
• After cutting, use a portable vacuum along the cutting lines before moving the fabric.
• After cutting and moving the fabric, place it in a dryer with a damp wash cloth on no/low heat for about 10 minutes to remove the excess shedding of the fibers. After the initial shed is over, Cuddle® will stop shedding.

Sewing

• As Cuddle® is a knit fabric, use a 90/14 Stretch needle. Try a 100/16 Stretch needle for extra thick items.
• Use polyester or poly/cotton thread.
• Increase your stitch length to at least a 3.5 mm setting.
• Lower your foot pressure.
• Use a .5” seam allowance.
• Sew with a straight stitch or very slight zig zag.
• Double pin (2 rows of pins side by side) with flat-head pins running parallel to the sewing edge. Make the innermost row far enough away that you don’t need to remove them as you sew.
• Clover Wonder clips (and similar brands) are also excellent for holding the layers together as you sew.
• Use a walking foot (preferred) or built-in even feed foot.
• Always be aware of the nap, grain, and stretch. Sew stretchy sides together and non-stretchy sides together when possible.
• Use the “needle down” feature on your machine if you have it. If you do not, handwheel the needle into the fabric when you stop to adjust.
• After sewing seams - particularly with long-nap Cuddle® - pull out the fibers caught in the stitches on the outside of the seam with a stiletto.
• When closing a seam, it is easier to hand stitch the opening closed if you topstitch the seam allowance first. Stitch along the seam allowance before sewing the rest of the seams together. Use a ladder stitch to join the edges, using the stitching lines as a guide.
• When seaming quilt backings, always watch your nap is going the same direction for both pieces.
• If you are using long-pile Cuddle® (over 3mm) for a quilt backing, you may want to avoid the nap pulling through to the quilt top by using a smaller needle and/or two layers of batting. You may also want to choose a backing colour that blends well with the colours used on the front.
• Cuddle® can be quilted on a domestic or longarm quilting machine. Batting is recommended as it lends structure and gives the quilting more definition.
• For straight-line quilting, lengthen the stitch length to at least 4 mm or 8 stitches per inch.
• When quilting on a longarm machine, the selvedges should run perpendicular to the leaders. The cut edge can be pinned across the roll bar to evenly distribute the fabric. Do not overstretch the backing on the leaders.  Keep the tension slightly looser than you normally would for a cotton backing. 
• When using clamps on the sides, do not over stretch. Use a lighter tension to ensure that when the quilt is removed, the backing will not spring back to its regular tension, wrinkling the quilt top.
• Generally, the longer-nap Cuddle® products do not show the definition of the quilting design as much.

Care

• Wash in cool water (not hot). Tumble dry on no/low heat. Do not over dry.  Instead let the item finish with air drying, and then place back in the dryer to fluff.
• Do not use liquid fabric softener.

This tip sheet was compiled by Along Came Quilting from multiple tip sheets and videos provided by Shannon Fabrics.  For more information, inspiration, free projects, and helpful tips refer to shannonfabrics.com and their YouTube channel.

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