First let me say >:(
I'm constructing a partlet with silk organza... And I know this about this fabric... But it SO WIGGLY!
Anyone have any suggestions or tips for working with it? I'm just beginning to pin it to the pattern and I can just look at the pins and it goes off grain.
I'm thinking of weighting the edges of the fabric down to help it sit still whilst cutting, but I am already dreading sewing seams.
So tell me your secrets Ladies and Gentlemen.
Don't be afraid to use lots of pins. Silk setting on the iron is fine. Where you can, SERGE!!!
I was told that you can wet it slightly and it helps. I have never tried this, but it makes sense.
Most of the time, I have hand stitched a large running stitch to keep it in place.
Silk organza is usually very stiff... I've never had a problem with it wiggling about. This sounds more like chiffon, which can be a right old nest of eels for wriggling.
Spray starch it. Wash the starch out after completion.
Agrees with Lady Kathleen, use lots of pins. I am one of those types that just dives right in deals with the problems as they come. And I have always been one to chose the most difficult fabrics to work with. ::)
I know not much advice. :P
I have used a damp sponge with spray starch on the more wiggly silks. You can rinse it out with cold water
after you are finished.
Sounds like spray starch might be the best bet. Do you spray it until it's slightly crispy? Or do you use a whole can and make it stiff as a board? I've got tons of fabric like that and I Hate it!!! Love the fabric, but after 4 hours of trying to pin the darn thing and never getting it half-way near reasonable, I had a good cry and threw it all in a box.
Dayna
I use very little.......just enough to give it some stiffness. Too much won't rinse out well.
Quote from: unilady on May 06, 2009, 03:32:38 PM
Sounds like spray starch might be the best bet. Do you spray it until it's slightly crispy? Or do you use a whole can and make it stiff as a board? I've got tons of fabric like that and I Hate it!!! Love the fabric, but after 4 hours of trying to pin the darn thing and never getting it half-way near reasonable, I had a good cry and threw it all in a box.
Dayna
Only as much as you need... Minimum that makes it workable for you.
Thanks!
Dayna
Thanks everyone!
I tried the starch, that didn't seem to work too well. What I did find worked was to fold and pin on my ironing board. It's slippery fabric and it just was too hard to work with on the cutting mat. I also had a DUH moment. I changed my machine needle to a Extra Sharp and brand new. That really helped.
Here's the mostly finished product.
(http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL825/2840988/17867480/364156562.jpg)
Thanks again!
Oh, that's very pretty! I love the lace.
Hm... Definitely looks more like organza than chiffon.
Organza is translucent but quite stiff. Chiffon is finer and VERY floppy. On the fabric you have, to make a fine edge like that, I tend to spray baste the turnings with quilter's basting spray...
I agree with Kate. It is very lovey. Good job.
It's very lovely. It turned out well.
Beautiful - very nice job.