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From: akatheart
Date: 09-28-2006, 07:54 AM (1 of 12)
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I haven't been able to work on my dd's dress since I first introduced myself, but I am hoping today is the day I will be able to cut the fabric. However I have a quick question first. My pattern is a simplicity pattern and I went to their site and they had a few tips for working with satin (which I am). One of them being to use pinking shears when cutting it. So I'm wondering if that messes up the paper for the pattern or should I just use regular scissors? Thanks! ~Desiree~
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User: akatheart
Member since: 04-23-2005 Total posts: 8 
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From: MartySews
Date: 09-28-2006, 08:26 AM (2 of 12)
Desiree, I'm one of these peculiar people who cuts out all of the pattern pieces before laying them on the fabric. I'm also one who has different types of scissors for different projects. I use my Gingher micro-serrated scissors for slippery fabrics. It grips the fabric as I cut and it is so much smoother than pinking shears. Because satin does ravel, pinking shears would make sense. I'm also working with satin to make my DD a "Poodle" skirt for a dance.  Happy Stitching! Marty It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-28-2006, 08:28 AM (3 of 12)
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Don't you usually pink after something is cut out? The thought of cutting something out with pinking sheers makes me shudder (but then, so do scissors). Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 09-28-2006, 09:06 AM (4 of 12)
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Huh... Well, the pinking sheers would solve the freying problem...wish I'd thought of it on Tuesday...ah hindsight, I'm gathering up so much of it! OK, here's my take on it. The trouble with the pinking sheers is that it effects the size of your seam allowances in an irregular way. Not just the zig and the zag, mind you--For example, I find them harder to squeeze than regualr scissors, so when I cut, my wrist often moves and my cutting line isn't really straight/accurate. I think that's ok for a seam finish, especially since it's hidden inside a garment. But it makes it hard to use the fabric edge as a guide for sewing up a 5/8 (or whatever size) seam. Here's what I might try: cut out your pattern pieces with regular scissors, lay them out over the satin, and then cut around them, not through the thr cutting line, but outside of it. Make sure the ZIG(?) side comes right up to the cutting lines, so that you can plan on using that inner corner of the pinking as your guide consistently while sewing. You'll have to cut very slowly and carefully of course. The other option would be to use regular scissors and muddle through (That's what I usually do!), pinking or using french seams, or serging promptly as you go along, so that your seam allwances don't frey away from you. Let us know what you try!
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-28-2006, 12:08 PM (5 of 12)
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I have an antique thingy that I have never used. It clamps to a table and you put the fabric under a zig zag wheel, and turn a crank that pulls the fabric through and pinks the edges. That would be handy modernized (like with electricity) wouldn't it. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: akatheart
Date: 09-28-2006, 12:26 PM (6 of 12)
Dorothy~You asked another of my questions I had on here but then I erased it and figured I would wait and see what anyone said because they may answer my question anyhow. Andrea~What you said makes sense. I wondered about that stuff, but the tips I printed out didn't say anything about pinking after I cut out the pattern so I didn't know when I was supposed to do it. Marty~What do you mean you cut out the pattern before you cut out the fabric? This is my second time (but the first time was a flop so I don't usually count it) ever using a pattern and making clothes, so I am not sure how most people do it. I planned on cutting out the pieces from the paper on the size they are supposed to be, then pinning them to the fabric and cutting the fabric. Is that what you do? Do other people do it another way? What seems easiest? Thanks everyone for your help! ~Desiree~
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User: akatheart
Member since: 04-23-2005 Total posts: 8
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-28-2006, 02:13 PM (7 of 12)
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The first time I use a pattern I just kind of hack the pattern pieces apart, pin them down and then cut along the lines for the size I want cutting the pattern out at the same time as the fabric. But with thicker fabric I cut the pattern out first because the paper rips when I am cutting fleece or something. But I cut with a rotary cutter. I don't know if it will rip with scissors or not. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: kmccrea
Date: 09-28-2006, 03:37 PM (8 of 12)
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A nice sharp rotary cutter will slice cleanly through the satin. After you sew your seam is when you pink the edges unless you plan on zigzagging over them or serging.
Katherine McCrea
Designer At Large |
User: kmccrea
Member since: 05-07-2006 Total posts: 173 
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From: paroper
Date: 09-28-2006, 04:28 PM (9 of 12)
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Your source for the pinking suggestion was professional? I've never seen a professional tip that suggested that you cut out with pinking shears. Most will tell you that pinking shears make inaccurate seams. The method that is normally recommended is to cut sharp, sew a line 1/4 inch from the edge, sew your seam and then pink between the line and the edge. The line of stitching give a stopping place for fray until you get the piece pinked. Actually, I just use sharp scissors or serrated edged scissors and then take it straight to the serger to finish the edges. I don't ever fold satin. I drap it over a quilt rack. Before I had the rack I would hang it over a chair or a hanger. When people tell me they are bringing satin to my house to sew I alway have them bolt it when they purchase. I don't like trying to get the creases out of satin that has been rolled (folded satin is not as bad). Truth be known I think there are a lot of fabrics out there that are harder to sew and handle than satin. The main thing to remember about satin is that you need use directional sewing or it will show puckers. 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: akatheart
Date: 09-29-2006, 07:02 AM (10 of 12)
Okay, I had to go pull my satin tips page out so I could double check what I read and I was wrong! I'm sorry! The website just said to cut the fabric with serrated edge scissors, not pinking shears!  How embarassing! I have been so busy lately that I just zipped through the tips and ended up thinking pinking shears.Well, this thread has still given me lots of good information that I wouldn't have been aware of. Thanks everyone for your help and sorry about my mistake! ~Desiree~
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User: akatheart
Member since: 04-23-2005 Total posts: 8
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From: MartySews
Date: 09-29-2006, 09:07 PM (11 of 12)
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I love my serrated edge scissors. They cut thru satin with so little effort. Gingher has a really nice pair on their website. Happy Stitching! Marty 
It takes one moment to change a life.
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User: MartySews
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 504
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From: jebjow
Date: 10-03-2006, 11:46 PM (12 of 12)
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I'm so glad I came across this. I didn't realize sewing with satin was going to take so much effort. Thankfully I couldn't find my iron tonight and settled for waiting until tomorrow to start. Hmmm... looks like I have some research to do before starting fresh tomorrow! Thanks. Jenny |
User: jebjow
Member since: 09-26-2006 Total posts: 6 |
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