Here are 10 tips for sewing silk:
- Iron before cutting. Use a warm dry iron on the reverse side of the fabric. Use a cool iron for chiffon. Do not spray water as it can leave a watermark
- Use very fine dressmaking pins; large pins can leave holes in the fabric
- Silk thread is appropriate for hand sewing (basting/embroidery); polyester thread is generally preferred for machine sewing
- Use a fine sewing machine needle (No 11; continental No 70)
- When sewing fine, lightweight silk such as chiffon, tack the silk onto tissue paper and sew through the two layers to stabilise the fabric
- Use lightweight sew in interlinings when required
- For linings, select a fine silk habotai
- Always check the pressure of the stitch and presser foot before starting to sew
- If tacking, use a fine needle
- Use a cool iron to press silk pieces as they are stitched and when finished
