Does anyone sew? Need technical help.

[DawnA]

Hi everyone,
I'm starting Hope's Easter Dress today. I'm making one of the new Daisy Kingdoms. It's a sheer voile over a polished cotton. I heard somewhere that you can use a piece of paper when sewing on a slippery sheer for stability. I can't remember what I read. Also, I was going to use a lightweight ballpoint Schmetz needle. If I use the paper would I use the same needle? I have made almost all of the Daisy Kingdoms, but I really dislike those sheers.
Thanks,
Dawn

 

[Connie1]

I have no idea about the daisy kingdom but I do have some general sewing knowledge. Is the voile going to be gathered, or flat? If gathered, you can make gathers by zig zagging over a length of thread (just pull out a length from the bobbin) and then pull that thread to form gathers, and adjust to make the gathers even. Then scotch tape across the whole gathered edge so it stays in place while you sew it.

In this case, whether gathered or flat, you can still try scotch taping the edge down, and removing the tape after the seam is sewn.

Does this help? I hope so!
-Connie

 

[DawnA]

Thanks Connie!

Connie,
What a great idea about the tape!! Those sheers just don't stay put after you've ironed them. This overskirt has pleats, and I'm going to use the tape for that!
Thanks,
Dawn

 

[hopefull]

RE: Thanks Connie!

Connie, I have used paper when doing applique. The paper gives substance to the fabric and keeps it smooth and manueverable. You put it on the wrong side then tear it out when you're done. The sewing perforates the paper so this is a very easy process. I can't really visualize what you are doing, but if the fabric is sheer and tends to bunch up, the paper may help. Hope this helps.

Paula

 

[kotacam]

I hope I'm not too late, but you can use any kind of light weight paper for stabilizing. I use cheap tissue paper, the kind you put in gifts. You won't have to change the needle for this - it will sew right through the paper and voile with no problem. I usually just cut the tissue paper in long strips, that way I don't waste it. You can also use very light weight paper bags. HTH!

 

[DawnA]

Kotacam,
Thanks! That is exactly what I was looking for. I wanted to use the paper, but there was no way I would change the needle so often. I am a sewing perfectionist, a real stickler for detail. Again, that type A personality most Cathe-ites seem to share

Thanks again,
Dawn

 

[kotacam]

Great! Glad I could be of help!