Sewing silk isn’t difficult, but it does need a significant amount of work and persistence. When silk is woven together, it becomes a surprisingly robust and sumptuous material.
However, single silk strands are fragile and prone to fraying at the ends. Sewing the material should thus be done with caution.
Sewing silk may be a difficult task, and no one wants to throw away perfectly good fabric because of a single mistake. We’re back to assuage your anxieties!
If this is your first time dealing with the material, plan on dedicating at least an afternoon to it.
There are a number of steps involved in learning how to weave silk cloth, but they’re not always sequential. We are ready to go now.
Silk Sewing Instructions:
The steps involved in properly stitching your silk cloth are as follows:
- Pre-washing the cloth before use.
- Cutting the fabric to size.
- Preparing the cloth for sewing.
Supplies:
- The bucket, sink or basin are all acceptable options.
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- A little sewing machine needle.
- Tools like as scissors (make sure they are sharp! ), sewing shears, and pinking shears are all useful (optional).
- Sewing machine (optional).
- Pins made of silk.
- A spool of thread, either cotton or polyester.
- A hairdryer (optional).
- Iron is a metal that may be used to make a variety of things (optional).
Pre-Washing:
Pre-washing your silk is a must once you’ve gathered your fabric.
That’s because silk shrinks, and if it hasn’t been pre-washed, a perfectly fitting garment might seem twisted after the first wash.
Because your silk may have surplus color dyes, you don’t want it to seep into other clothing.
- Hand-wash your garment in the sink of your choosing. As a precaution, we suggest hand-cleaning silk garments rather than using a washing machine.
- When washing, use mild detergents (such as Woolite, Ivory Snow, Tide free-and-clear, Purex, etc.). A gentle shampoo may also be used (baby shampoos are a great option).
- When washing dark colors, separate them from light colors. Water-soluble dyes, such as bright reds, dark blues, and the like, may taint other textiles.
- Transfer the fabric(s) to a bucket or basin filled with 1/4 cup of white vinegar and a gallon of water, and then rinse them well. Vinegar may be used to remove soap residue from clothing. Rinse the cloth by swiping and moving it in the water.
- Rinse the silk again with water to remove any vinegar smell or residue that may be left behind.
- Let the cloth air dry. The cloth should not be wrung or twisted to remove extra water from it. This might produce permanent wrinkles in the cloth, which can deform its shape. Place it between two towels to absorb up any remaining moisture. Alternatively, you may let it air dry on a rack. You may even iron it over the towel using a low-medium setting on your iron. You may also use a hairdryer to dry your hair.
Fabric Cutting:
Always cleanse your hands before beginning any task.
Hands may contain oils and debris that can tarnish silk, which we’ve already discussed.
- Under your silk, place a piece of tissue paper (or butcher’s paper, if you’ve got it) to keep it from sliding while you’re cutting it. Stabilizing the silk with a fabric stabilizer will also make it easier to cut.
- When cutting out designs, secure your silk by pinning it down using silk pins (thin pins that create small holes in fabric, ideal for silk). Please cut each design separately! Silk, on the other hand, is a slick fabric that should not be doubled up during this operation.
Getting ready to sew on silk
- Silk pins may be used to hold the fabric pieces together once the design has been cut out. Make careful to pin them in the seam allowances, since silk tends to show holes more quickly than other fibers.
- Use a low-heat iron or the “silk” setting to press the seams. Pressing the fabric directly might damage it, so use a pressing cloth. It is easier to see and keep seams in place when stitching if they are ironed.
- Trim away any loose threads. If you have pinking shears, now is a good time to use them to trim the edges of pre-washed garments. Alternatively, you may use a pair of scissors with a sharp blade.
Learn how to sew silk
- Hand-basting the cloth pieces together is the first step. Sewing will be easier if you use long, loose stitches to keep the cloth together. If your fabric is sliding a lot, try using extra tissue paper. To stitch through both layers, place a piece of tissue paper beneath your sewing area. When you’re finished, just rip away the tissue paper.
- Take a moment to wipe down your computer to remove any dust, dirt, or other debris. This is crucial while sewing, but it’s particularly critical when working with silk, since otherwise, you risk leaving snags on your completed product. Adjust your thread tension and gauge on a piece of silk to see how it performs on your machine. Although there is no hard and fast rule, strive for around 12 stitches per inch.
- Pull the top and bobbin threads away from your body. So it won’t get tangled up in the sewing machine foot and cause rips or tears in your cloth while you stitch.
- Using your hands, pull the needle down into the material. In order to avoid puckering or crumpling the cloth, this will guarantee that the sewing machine begins gently.
- Allow the cloth to be fed through the machine by gently flattening it. Make sure you don’t pull it too tight, since this might result in a puckered finish.
- In order to guarantee that the stitches don’t come out, sew a few stitches first. Once you’ve gathered your supplies, begin sewing gently and steadily. Make sure your stitches are straight, and keep a close eye on the progress of your work.
- Your seams will look better if they are serged or French-seamed. If the fray reaches the stitching region, your project is doomed to failure.
That’s all there is to it! Despite the time and effort required to weave silk, the final result should be worth the effort in the end.
Make an outfit now that you’re comfortable sewing silk! In this video, you’ll learn how to build a silk slip dress.
FAQ
What stitch should I use for silk?
Stitch lengths of 1.5mm to 2mm are ideal for silk and other thin textiles.
Is silk easy to sew?
Sewing silk is quite similar to sewing with any other woven fabric in most respects. Working with silk is more difficult because of the fabric’s sumptuous nature.
What is the best way to stitch silk edges?
Use a presser foot specifically intended for 1/4-inch seam allowances for stitching precise edges. Pin the strip to the underside of the seam allowance once it has been wrapped around the fabric. To complete, use a stitch-in-the-ditch along the strip’s seam. If you’re sewing with silk, be sure your sewing machine is in great condition.
What is the best way to stiffen silk?
Silk that is machine or hand washable may be stiffened with gelatin to make cutting and sewing much simpler. However, I’ve heard that cornflour or cornstarch may also be used. Mix 1 teaspoon of gelatin with 16 ounces of boiling water to stiffen your cloth.
