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From: MaryW
Date: 02-21-2005, 07:54 AM (1 of 22)
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This week we will begin a new fabric discussion. I have heard so much about slinky knit but have never sewn with it. The texture is very interesting on this stuff. Who has sewn with slinky? It would be perfect for travelling, no wrinkles.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 02-21-2005, 10:35 AM (2 of 22)
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I attempted slinky a few years back for our Christmas dresses. It was interesting. It works best if you reinforce all seams, armholes, necklines, and such with elastic. I suggest non-structured items such as tank and t-shirt type dresses. The next time I sew with it I plan to make pants. It is so comfortable to wear. I miss wearing the dress I made with it. Like Mary said it travels well. Honestly, it is hard to get it to stay on a hanger or folded. It does run if it gets snagged on something. All and all it is a very interesting fabric to work with if you want a challenge.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Peggy
Date: 02-21-2005, 10:40 PM (3 of 22)
Where have you found the fabric? I've been trying to get some for over a year now. My daughter shows horses and one type of top they wear is called a slinky, the pattern specifically states -- do not use swimwear fabric -- trust me, I tried it and it does not work for the pattern I was using. I can't find it at any of my local fabric stores, it's so frustrating  . I think I may have found a place on-line, they are suppose to be sending me some samples.Any help would be much appreciated!  Peggy |
User: Peggy
Member since: 09-19-2003 Total posts: 53 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-22-2005, 07:21 AM (4 of 22)
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I've heard of slinky knit, of course, but I'm not sure that I've seen it ( I don't do slinky and rarely do knits). Can you compare it to another fabric or discribe it? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: mamagoose
Date: 02-22-2005, 08:09 AM (5 of 22)
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Mary, great fabric! I had always been "scared" of slinky and it is practically non-existent in our local JoAnns or Walmart. I wish I had more choices, but that's it for 50 miles. My two experiences were from fabric purchased online. The first, a mock turtleneck in a crinkly, dark purple velvet and the second was that evening gown for my son's date. It was was kind of broomstick-like for the black and red velvet for the godets. Peggy, I've seen the girls wear slinky tops at the shows, complete with beads or applique, even leather. It's lighter weight than swimsuit and not as tight, it has more give. Have to be not be self-conscious about wearing it, though. Fits like regular knit in how you see "young" girls wearing their t-shirts so tight, but usually has a silkier finish to it not dull like t-shirt cotton, and not so much elasticity as swimsuit. fashionfabricsclub.com (http://fashionfabricsclub.com) (type in knit or slinky knit) always carries some slinky. I wouldn't count on getting it right the first time just because of the stretch factor, so I would order twice as much to be safe. The plain slinky probably wouldn't be affected, but if you do think about taking an iron over any kind of crinkly, don't! Well, at least not after you make the garment, because it could very likely grow (experience talking), no matter which way you think your crinkles are going. I am so glad I started using it, I ordered some silver puckery slinky yesterday. I'm thinking of putting it with some bright white somehow, not sure yet. It's my day off, better clean so I can sew! mamagoose |
User: mamagoose
Member since: 01-26-2002 Total posts: 168 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 02-22-2005, 09:19 AM (6 of 22)
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I get my slinky from fabric.com (http://store.yahoo.com/phoenixtextiles/fabric-apparel---fashion-fabrics-lycra---stretch-fabrics-slinky-sparkle.html). Very often I can get it on sale for $1.95 and they often run specials on shipping so it isn't much different in price from buying it in the store.
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-22-2005, 10:26 AM (7 of 22)
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I am not positive but I think www.londa-sewing.com has it http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Shopper_id=60391251019586039&Store_id=398&Page_id=17&categ_id=199&parent_ids=0,2 and www.timmelfabrics.com has it in purple only. http://www.timmelfabrics.com/cottonknits.htm MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-22-2005, 10:33 AM (8 of 22)
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Is slinky difficult to hem?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: KayTee
Date: 02-22-2005, 11:16 AM (9 of 22)
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If you check Linda MacPhee Workshop out of Edmonton, she has done a lot with slinky and it's available online through her store. She has a sewing show on TV here in Alberta and she quite often talks about slinky and how easy it is to sew with and to wear. For hemming, she just says not to bother. Some seams need to be stabilized like shoulder seams. I think the biggest hint she's supplied is the one where you should try and have your whole garment on your sewing table (as opposed to it draping into the floor) - the weight of slinky will distort the seams if it's dragging. Knit needles are definitely the best for this fabric. The online store sometimes carries slinky with little beading effects .... not really beads, but looks like it and it usually comes in coordinating styles. Definitely worth taking a look at. http://www.macpheeworkshop.com/ From having tried both, I would also say that the slinky at MacPhee, while more pricey, is much better quality than that found at other fabric stores. I guess it's the old story of "the real thing" versus "the knock-off". |
User: KayTee
Member since: 12-06-2002 Total posts: 98 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 02-22-2005, 12:51 PM (10 of 22)
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Mary, I remember having to do something special with the hems. I followed the directions in the book Fabric Savvy for working with slinky. I can't find that book right now. My house is a disaster. I can't find anything. I have been getting my kitchen ready to paint and doing spring cleaning out in the yard so the rest of my house has suffered. 
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: mommydionne
Date: 02-22-2005, 04:08 PM (11 of 22)
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I have a metre of slinky sitting on my cutting table waiting to be cut into the jalie crossover top, should be interesting how it turns out, I have several RTW tops made of slinky and love them.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-23-2005, 12:09 PM (12 of 22)
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Where did you get yours Jeanette?
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-23-2005, 12:21 PM (13 of 22)
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I used to get (til 3 or 4 months ago) swatches from fashion fabrics club every month and they always had a slinky knit or two in their swatches.. Someone posted that link up higher in this thread..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: mommydionne
Date: 02-23-2005, 03:18 PM (14 of 22)
Timmel fabrics about a year ago, I was "waiting" for the right pattern (ie I didin't know what I was going to use it for when I bought it.  )
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838
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From: saltica
Date: 02-24-2005, 02:23 AM (15 of 22)
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Hi - When I read about this discussion on the sewing tips I just had to register and share my experience with slinky. Three weeks ago I spent 8 hours with Linda MacPhee (the Slinky Queen) at a hands on workshop she gave on slinky knits in So. Calif. (put on by our local ASG chapter) It was a great day and very informative. She says there are two kinds of slinky - acetate/lycra and polyester/lycra. She carries the acetate which she thinks is much better. She prefers to use a lightweight fusible interfacing (like Easy Knit) to stabilize the shoulder seams, neck edges and jacket fronts. Use the paper pattern (not the cut fabric) to cut a 1" strip (just like you would a facing) and iron it on and then turn it to the wrong side about 1/4' and top stitch. Those of us that used this method had no puckering or sagging. Those ladies that used the narrow fusible tape had lots of stretching and sagging - Linda said that kind of tape was not strong enough. She wasn't too happy with the clear elastic method. I used a "Creations pattern for Slinky" and made a 1 seam pants, round neck top, cowl neck top and a cardigan Jacket and found it very easy to sew. Used a serger but a friend of mine has made 30 outfits from this fabric and uses a very tiny zigzag (Just like sewing with knits) and has had good luck with that method. She has a very mature figure and always looks great in her outfits. The trick is to never let it stretch across your body. Use a pattern that has ample ease across your widest part.(shoulder, bust, tummy, hip) Linda said that it needs to flow down your body and it truly does skim over the bumps and wrinkles if you haven't made it so tight that it has to stretch. It's easier to cut out if you use the technique of laying the fabric down on light weight paper - just like you would with chiffon or slippery silks. Pin through that paper and use a rotary cutter and keep the paper pinned to it when you move it so it won't collapse. Use a pattern with very few pieces - works best with simple shapes. Never ever let it hang over the edge of the table or put it on a hanger. Need to fold it (or wad it up) and stick it in a drawer or cupboard - great for traveling and feels so good against your skin. Be sure and wash and dry it before you cut it out - one of the ladies at the workshop had a piece that shrunk quite a bit. My pattern said to hang it over the shower rod overnight before cutting it out to relax it. Linda doesn't hem her garments - doesn't fray or ravel. Most of us used a twin needle hem just like we would on a knit. Linda said ballpoint needle or stretch needle. Sorry this is so long but I wanted to let you know about my fun day with Slinky - want to make some more outfits now! Sally |
User: saltica
Member since: 02-23-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-24-2005, 07:29 AM (16 of 22)
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Wow-- I saved that one to my file of tips. Thanks, Sally. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-24-2005, 07:33 AM (17 of 22)
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Sally, those were wonderful tips. Thanks so much and welcome to Sew Whats New. Sounds like your class was a great one. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: saltica
Date: 02-24-2005, 01:26 PM (18 of 22)
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Thank you Dorothy and Mary for your nice replies. Glad I could help - Mary, I've really enjoyed your sewing tip newsletter and have learned a great deal from them. Another thing Linda MacPhee told us was to avoid facings on the neckline or down the front of jackets or tops. Said the weight of the fabric tended to pull them down and out of shape. If you ever have a chance to hear her she is a delightful and enthusiasstic speaker. Her philosophy of sewing is that it should be FUN!. She even models a jacket made out of plastic bags. Her patterns are inexpensive and simple to use. She does fantastic things with faux chenille also. I think she got started by designing outwear but has really branched out. I have gone to Sew Expo in Puyallup for many years and always go to her lecture and fashion show to see what she has dreamed up. Have fun sewing - Sally |
User: saltica
Member since: 02-23-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-25-2005, 08:46 AM (19 of 22)
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I saw her fashion show a few years ago. She is fun and I have a couple of her patterns. One is for wool mittens with a nice design done in crewel on them. She began in outerwear but has gone on to bigger and better things, have you seen her show? MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: tropicallie
Date: 02-25-2005, 11:15 AM (20 of 22)
| For those of you who aren't sure what slinky is, go to your nearest "Chico's" or check their travel line on their online catalog. I copied (shameless, I know) one of their tops. Their price was $68. It cost me less than $4 to make it. Found the identical fabric at Fashion Fabric Club. Everything people have said about this fabric is true - it doesn't wrinkle, feels great and isn't too difficult to work with. |
User: tropicallie
Member since: 06-24-2003 Total posts: 12 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 02-25-2005, 01:02 PM (21 of 22)
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Linda doesn't hem her garments - doesn't fray or ravel. Most of us used a twin needle hem just like we would on a knit. Linda said ballpoint needle or stretch needle. Really?? I've never worked with knits of any kind before, and I was wondering what I need to do differently. About the twin needle--is that something you need to have a special machine for, or do they sell them pretty much universally for all/most machines? Do you need a serger? I have just a very basic straightstitch&zigzag machine. Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: saltica
Date: 02-28-2005, 09:01 PM (22 of 22)
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Hi Andrea - Sorry I didn't reply sooner - have been out of town. I think almost any machine can use a twin needle - they are two needles with a single shank. There are different sizes according to the distance between the 2 needles. Measure the space available on your presser foot so that you don't buy one that is too large and break it. They are kind of pricey. I usually use a #4.0 but they have them as narrow as 1.6 up to 6.0. There are different types too, embroidery, universal, metallic, and stretch.(be sure to buy that kind if you're working on knits. Use two spools of thread and loosen the top tension alittle. A zigzag stitch forms on the wrong side so it gives the hem alittle stretch. I use the Schmetz brand. Makes a great hem and is fun for decorative stitching also. Sally |
User: saltica
Member since: 02-23-2005 Total posts: 3 |
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