Anyone got any tips for sewing silk chiffon? Should I use a rotary cutter or scissors to cut out my pattern pieces? Should I use tissue paper to stablise while I sew? What’s the best way to hem? A serger rolled hem? I have so many questions! Any advice appreciated.

Jan 29, 2010, 11.11 AM by miss-g

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  • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_large

    Jan 29, 2010, 12.39 PMby katexxxxxx

    I can do silk chiffon… I can even do it bias cut! :) best ideas that really work:

    Make sure the fabric is FLAT and RELAXED when you cut it. Lay it out on a table wide enough and long enough that you don’t need to move it once the pattern is laid out. Lay out the fabric and go away and let it relax for 10 minutes before you put the pattern on it.

    Weight the pattern down rather than pinning it.

    Yes, use a rotary cutter if you can. Try not to have to move the fabric between cutting pices, ot you’ll have to let it relax again once you have smoothed it out.

    Use the serger for seams if possible. Do rolled seams if you can. here is the technique and some other ideas for those who don’t have a serger: http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Learning/sheer-seams/making_seams_in_sheer_fabrics.htm

    I find that there is no need to use tissue in the seams or for cutting: it blunts the cutter and is a total pain to get out of the seams!

    In addition to the silk chiffon gown, here are two more chiffon gowns, and some more ideas:

    http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Weddingallery/Sarahflower.JPG

    http://www.diceyhome.free-online.co.uk/KatePages/Sewing_Projects/Anya/dressing_janneane.htm

    2 Replies
    • 7fc4fbb99ffb6bbbc0eed1bd5b58bb563c3815a5_large

      Jan 30, 2010, 03.46 AMby miss-g

      Thanks KateXXXXXX. You’re a legend! I’m planning to make Vogue V1160 – the DKNY dress – to wear to a wedding at Easter.

    • Mobil_pics_102_large

      Jan 30, 2010, 05.24 AMby michelleiswell

      You have such good advice!

  • Kopie_van_pc040044_large

    Jan 29, 2010, 03.12 PMby carolinam

    What do you put underneat the fabric if you use a rotary cutter? (i don’t want to destroy grandma’s table)

    3 Replies
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      Jan 29, 2010, 03.25 PMby brandymccoy

      a cutting mat

    • Kopie_van_pc040044_large

      Jan 29, 2010, 08.45 PMby carolinam

      do you know were i can get one atable size? i’ve only seen small ones. But with the small ones i would have to remoove the fabric constantly

    • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_large

      Jan 31, 2010, 12.36 AMby katexxxxxx

      I have several large cutting mats that I butt up aganst each other.

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    Jan 30, 2010, 01.15 AMby mlssfshn

    I don’t use a cutting mat because I warp them with my iron! I use Interstate Plastic 1/16’ thick abs plastic in white. I learned this from a friend who has a sewing studio and it’s less expensive.

  • Kopie_van_pc040044_large

    Jan 31, 2010, 09.54 AMby carolinam

    thanks for the advise. I want to make a chifon dress too so this discussion topic is very good

  • Missing

    Feb 18, 2010, 02.33 AMby hellesbelles86

    This is so helpful! I have recently started a sewing business and of course the first project I get would have to be a fabric I have never worked with (there aren’t many but chiffon is one of them)

    1 Reply
  • Missing

    Jun 9, 2011, 05.47 AMby Karen Nakagawa

    I cut my silk chiffon on the floor on top of a big fleece blanket. It stuck to it like velcro so it didn’t shift. Plus it was really easy to “right” the fabric grain and get it all lined up. I pinned through the blanket and it was easy to cut just the chiffon.

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    Dec 21, 2012, 12.50 AMby myrrhia

    In case any of you wanted to take or took mlssfshn’s advice about the plastic mat, know that it is not self- healing like a cutting mat, and you can’t use an exacto or rotary cutter on it without damaging the surface. I found out the hard way. At least I can iron it, the lack of grid lines is a disappointment though.

    1 Reply
    • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_large

      Dec 21, 2012, 02.58 AMby katexxxxxx

      Even the self-healing mats get chopped up over time… As for ironing on it: you only do it once! ;)

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