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From: JennyAlice
Date: 09-20-2006, 06:14 PM (1 of 7)
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Hi, I made a wrap around dress in silver chinese brocade fabric. It made up really well but the problem is i can't seem to iron the seams properly. I can't have the iron too hot because it might burn the fabric (knowing my luck) but on the lower setting it just isn't hot enough to press the seams. Anyone have any suggestions please? I'd really love to wear it. There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate." -Charles Dickens
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User: JennyAlice
Member since: 08-12-2006 Total posts: 29 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-20-2006, 06:26 PM (2 of 7)
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Get something heavy and flat and while the fabric is still warm from the iron put it on there while the fabric cools. I use marble book ends. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 09-20-2006, 08:51 PM (3 of 7)
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Pressing cloth and steam....make sure the fabric doesn't get wet...(spots).
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: kmccrea
Date: 09-21-2006, 01:58 AM (4 of 7)
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You can also try a teflon sheet...like the baking sheets for cookies. They are the same as sold at Joann's in the notions department, but are less expensive. Also while the fabric is still warm press the seams with a clapper. The clapper just has to be heavy and of the proper size to do press your seams flat. I salvaged a piece of 2x4 my bf had discarded as scrap.
Katherine McCrea
Designer At Large |
User: kmccrea
Member since: 05-07-2006 Total posts: 173 
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From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-21-2006, 05:20 PM (5 of 7)
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What's the fiber content? Is it poly or silk? I worried about the same issue when I was about to start my silk project, and it turned out it pressed beautifully even at the low temp. I have worked with some polyester crepe-back satin in the past, and I just could not get it to keep a crease, even when I dared to burn it with a hotter iron! That was just a matter of a poor combination of weave type and fibre content, and it was so frustrating! I could see the same happening with a poly chinese brocade as well... Here's a question--how well or poorly would some topstitching go with this style? Would it detract terribly from the design? You would, if you tried it, topstitch on both sides of the seam, thereby tacking down the seam allowance. I have one top that called for this technique specifically in the pattern--the row of stitching on each side of the seam was built into the design.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-21-2006, 11:01 PM (6 of 7)
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The only problem with that, Andrea, is that it does make it hard to mend. And it pulls the seam apart so it is more likely to come out. I'd rather press both ends the same way and top stitch them down on one side. A French seam is nice, or a French seam stitched down toward the front. Some people prefer toward the back. That really strengthens the seam. And that brocade does tend to fray. A French seam would take care of that. But, unless it is lined pulling the seam apart wouldn't be my choice. If it is lined there would be less stress on the seams and that would be fine. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: JennyAlice
Date: 09-22-2006, 09:00 AM (7 of 7)
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Thanks. I've actually overlocked the seams together so i think i'll try top stitching them on one side as you suggested. I don't think i'm going to get it to stay pressed. It's a polyester brocade satin. The top stitching will probably work the best. thanks a mill for your help, i''l let you all know how i get on. There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate." -Charles Dickens
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User: JennyAlice
Member since: 08-12-2006 Total posts: 29
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