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A Passion for Silk
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page 1
Sewing Silk Fabrics
If the fabric is slippery, pin it to a sheet of tissue before cutting out the pattern.
Use sharp scissors to limit fabric movement when cutting.
To eliminate slippage while sewing, use a flat-bottom presser foot and increase the presser-foot pressure.
Pin lightweight silks within the seam allowances. Be sure pins are sharp and free from burrs.
Make sure your sewing machine is free of lint and oil.
Sew with polyester thread.
For lightweight silks use a new, sharp 65/9 needle; for medium- and heavyweight fabrics, use an 80/12
needle.
On lightweight fabrics, use a straight-stitch throatplate so the fabric isn’t pulled into the hole.
If your machine only has a zigzag plate, cover a portion of the hole with clear tape.
To avoid puckered seams and/or slippage, place tissue paper on the seamline on top and under the fabric
before stitching.
Mark lightweight silks with tailor’s tacks or dressmaker’s chalk.
Finish seams with serging or use French seams to prevent raveling. Consider adding an extra 1/4” to seam
allowances when cutting fabrics that ravel easily like doupioni, noil and tussah.
| Caring for Silk
Silk is extremely strong, but repeated exposure to the sun will
weaken the fiber. Avoid using it for curtains, draperies or other
home décor items when sunlight is pervasive.
Many silks can be hand washed using mild detergent and
lukewarm water. Roll the fabric in a towel to absorb the
excess water. Iron dry on a low setting. If you’re unsure about
washing silk, test a swatch first.
Pretreat silk yardage as you plan to care for the finished
garment; many silks will shrink.
Structured silk garments and fragile fabrics should be dry-cleaned
to prevent damage. Multicolor prints and bright colors
may need to be dry-cleaned to prevent the dye from running.
Moths will attack silk so store clothing appropriately.
Never use chlorine bleach on silk-—it will yellow the fiber. |
DESIGN WITH DOUPIONI CHALLENGE!
If you love silk fabrics, take our challenge to be creative with this luxurious fiber. You could win valuable prizes including Baby Lock Ellure combination sewing and embroidery machine, Wild Ginger software, Fabric.com gift certificate, Ergonomic Advantage package, Havel’s Snip-Eze scissors and more!
Sew News and the American Sewing Expo are sponsoring a contest to show off your creativity in one of THREE CATEGORIES using silk fabrics:
1. Garments 2. Accessories 3. Home Décor
Winning entries will be on display at the American Sewing Expo show Oct. 1-3, 2004, in Novi, MI.
For an entry form and contest rules, click here, or send an LSASE to Design With Doupioni, Sew News, 741 Corporate Circle, Ste. A, Golden, CO 80401.
sources
Look for silk in fabric stores nation-wide or call the number or visit the Web site of companies listed below.
AS-HRO Fabric, (800) 532-7476, (630) 515-8811, www.ashro.com
Exotic/Thai Silks, (800) 722-7455, (650) 948-8611, www.thaisilks.com
Fabric.com, www.fabric.com
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Page 2 - Sewing Silk Fabrics
Design with Doupioni Challenge
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