Replies

1. 
   carolfresia | Oct 24, 2003 08:04pm | #1

   Zu, I'm not sure what effect you're after, but you might consider using a twin needle and sewing pin-tucks, with a pin-tuck foot. Check the Threads website; there's a chart on how to get various effects with the twin needle...

   Carol

2. 
   ElonaM | Oct 25, 2003 01:33am | #2

   Zu, before cutting out the pattern, here's what I probably would do: Wash and dry the silk (silk was invented long before there was dry cleaning), then lay it out nice and flat on a sheet, and spray it all over with spray starch. When it dries, it will have a slightly "papery" hand and be very easy to work with. After the dress was complete, I'd wash it again to get the starch out.

   I've done this with lots of slippery silks, and it works great (though I always pre-test the wash and starch thing with a fabric scrap, just to be sure).

3. 
   rjf | Oct 25, 2003 02:39pm | #3

   You've probably already decided to pleat before cutting the pattern piece.  Starching sounds like a good idea.  Are you talking about pressed pleats, or sewn pintucks?  Is it a bodice or part of the skirt?     rjf

1. 
   zusan | Oct 25, 2003 05:50pm | #4

   Pressed pleats was the original intent,  both on the skirt and on the front of the bodice.  Maybe pintucks would be better on the bodice?  I have done pintucks by hand before but never by machine and never on silk.  Holding the little tiny pleats in place to even iron them is difficult.  They slip around so much!

1. 
   rjf | Oct 25, 2003 07:40pm | #5

   For pintucks, I used to press a crease where I wanted it and then carefully stitched on the folded edge.  When they're all stitched, you can press them to the side.  I've done pleats in a similar way:  press the pleats and topstitch the inside fold.  Then the pleats stay in place and you have a guide to arrange them for a final pressing.  But I would have to practice on silk.  It seems that it shouldn't be that much harder than any other fabric but silk seems to have a mystique (sp?) that makes us nervous.   rjf

1. 
   zusan | Oct 25, 2003 11:37pm | #6

   Thank you for the directions and tips!  I am sure they will help. 

   Zu

4. 
   SewTruTerry | Oct 25, 2003 11:44pm | #7

   I'm with Carol when it comes to using the pintuck foot and the double needle. I used to make the 18" doll clothes when my dsd was younger and if I wanted to add that kind of detail it was easy with the double needle. If you really want the crisp edge just iron it after sewing.

5. 
   MollieS | Oct 28, 2003 03:08am | #8

   If you have access to a smocking pleater, it would make great tiny and uniform pleats.