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From: Bama
Date: 03-21-2005, 11:55 AM (1 of 9)
I've never been brave enough to pay big money for silk fabric to actually cut into it.  BUT I just bought a beautiful silk top from a store that was going out of business. I got it 75% off!  It has sheer bell sleeves that are too long for me but I thought I'd get it anyway and hem them. Now I'm afraid to do it. What if my machine eats it?   Any tips for me before I cut into the sleeves? What kind of needle and thread should I use? |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-21-2005, 12:40 PM (2 of 9)
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Bama, With a bargain like that, I would bite the bullet and hand roll the new hem in and hand stitch.. It is fairly easy , if you have never done it.. You just roll it over till raw edge is covered then secure with tiny little whipping stitches.. goes like wildfire after you get started.. I am always afraid the machine will chew up the sheer silk.. Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: shediditagen
Date: 03-21-2005, 12:42 PM (3 of 9)
| It has to be shortened you said, so go ahead and cut it off then practice stitching on the part you cut off. If the factory sewed it I think you could too, you might need to use some Aqua Solve under it if it isn't going through smoothly. Check the stitch length also and match it. Betty |
User: shediditagen
Member since: 03-15-2005 Total posts: 28 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-21-2005, 01:31 PM (4 of 9)
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I think you will find silk is much easier to work with than you feared. I love it in all it's wonderful forms. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-21-2005, 07:16 PM (5 of 9)
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I just made some silk pillows...embroidered on'em, did deco stitches on'em...it's easier than 'I' thought...(I used my Janome 6500 and my 300E) nothing fancy done to the silk or the machine...I just did it and the pillows are beautiful. (so says my neighbor and husband.)
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-23-2005, 05:05 PM (6 of 9)
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Chrys, Did you do that on sheer silk like she is talking about.. How.?? What stabilizer did you use?? Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-23-2005, 05:20 PM (7 of 9)
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I used a sticky on my hoop, with 2 layers of med. cutaway floated underneath.....(since it was pillows I didn't really have to worry about the 'looks' so much.)
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: dragonflyy76
Date: 03-25-2005, 04:21 AM (8 of 9)
| I have found w/ sheer fabrics silk or otherwise that using a straight stitch needle plate on your machine can help out alot, specifically w/ problems such as the fabric being punched down into the machine by the force of the needle. The straight stitch plate only has a hole large enough for the needle to go down into which prevents your fabric from being chewed up. Also instead of using regular stabilizer or interfacing you might try using an organza to help give it a little more substance but not so much that it creates bulk. If you want some really great expert advice check out this websites forum www.anjooriansilks.com I just happened to be looking on there yesterday and the owner is quite knowlegeable abt all types of silks and has many years experience sewing wedding gowns so I'm pretty sure any questions you might have she could help to answer for youl... good luck |
User: dragonflyy76
Member since: 03-25-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: Magot
Date: 03-30-2005, 07:27 PM (9 of 9)
Silk is quite robust Bama, I remember reading somewhere once that you should sew silk with silk. But I haven't when making wedding dresses - they don't get as much wear as your blouse will though. My only tip would be don't use a biological washing powder/ Silk is a protein and gets eaten by the enzymes. Believe me, I KNOW this. 
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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