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From: SummersEchos
Date: 12-01-2004, 01:53 PM (1 of 7)
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Hi, Am making my granddaughter a taffeta and velvet Christmas dress. I am wondering about the type of needle to use. I have worked with velvet before but never taffeta. Any help would be appreciated here. If you have any other tips or suggestions I would be glad to listen. Thanks Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: MaryW
Date: 12-01-2004, 02:11 PM (2 of 7)
Hi SummerEcho, welcome to Sew Whats New.  Taffeta is one fabric that I have worked with a lot. Taffeta is slippery and it puckers in a new york minute. Hold fabric both in front and behind machine when sewing if you find it is disappearing into the throat plate. Pin within the seam allowance, the holes may or may not disappear. Mark very sparingly if at all. Don't use a tracing wheel. Wrinkles sometimes are almost impossible to remove. The fabric really should be pressed as little as possible. If your fabric is folded on a bolt, unfold it and lay flat if possible. It should only be pressed on wrong side with a light hand and a pressing cloth. Test press on scraps to find the right temperature. No steam. If you are working with moire, cut on a nap layout. Let me know how you progress, the dress sounds lovely. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: MaryW
Date: 12-01-2004, 02:20 PM (3 of 7)
Forgot to say, if anyone else has tips, post them here.  I also forgot to answer the question about needles. Poly thread and a 90/14 needle. Depending on the weight of your taffeta. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: paroper
Date: 12-02-2004, 07:45 AM (4 of 7)
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For fine sewing I think that pins are as important as needles. Even when you pin in the seam allowance, you don't want to make too many holes. I really like IBC pins with glass heads for this. They are very fine, long, smooth and have glass heads. They are a little expensive and too fine for some sewing (they fall out of some fabrics too easy) so I buy them and save them just for delecate fabrics.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 12-03-2004, 10:25 AM (5 of 7)
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Thank You ladies for your tips. I am excited about the dress but leary of the Taffeta. I shall try all your suggestions. Thank You Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 12-05-2004, 04:53 PM (6 of 7)
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I know I'm a sucker for punishment but I love sewing with taffeta, It just looks so great in the finished product. I made a flower girl dress for dd when she was two, it was dark blue taffeta and velvet. one word for you here BASTE, by hand, carefully!! This combo slips like HE double hockey sticks and will other wise drive you crazy!! Also plan on using at least 2-3 needles for this project (I like microtex needles for this stuff) and do lots of testing of your tension unless you have a dream machine. It also frays, I like to finish all my pattern pieces first and then construct, but I can get a little anal regarding fancy sewing.  Oh yeah, pressing tip, press all seams flat and closed first ie just like they come out of your machine, when you press open do so very gently from the wrong side and then flip and do from the right side and you may wish to slip a scrap of self material between the main body of the fabric and the seam allowance. have fun! Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: paroper
Date: 12-06-2004, 12:07 AM (7 of 7)
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When I press taffeta and some of the other dressy fabics, I point my iron so that I am pressing the seams with just the very tip of the iron.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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