tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post6863763801065302849..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Tips for Sewing with VelvetGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-69571505623611111302014-02-11T03:10:10.304-05:002014-02-11T03:10:10.304-05:00The perils of sewing with velvet... As a fashion d...The perils of sewing with velvet... As a fashion design student, I foolishly decided to design my entire collection in black velvet- I was not an experienced sewer and I wish my professors had warned me. That said, even though sewing the dresses were a frustrating experience, the results were well worth it. My advice echos Gertie. Use a non-slippery, easy sew fabric for the lining (I started with satin which was a disaster) and baste your seams together before sewing. I think if you baste first you'll have little trouble sewing with this tricky fabric. My designs from my senior collection: http://elventryst.blogspot.ae/2008/11/designing-woman.html?m=1elventrysthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10270061909850643523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-63491490039199832962014-01-29T03:16:52.135-05:002014-01-29T03:16:52.135-05:00Thanks a lot for these tips! I know what you mean....Thanks a lot for these tips! I know what you mean. I made myself a capelet from plush velvet, with a curved hem! It sure was tricky. Luckily it was only a 2 piece pattern, so I lined with cotton, but it still wobbled around. I'll use these tips next time =)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01591444835874143874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-28844912094728993762014-01-21T17:56:13.032-05:002014-01-21T17:56:13.032-05:00Girl you are amazing!!! Love this. Girl you are amazing!!! Love this. JENNIFER https://www.blogger.com/profile/07489595472725227560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-76087445622948185412014-01-20T14:03:48.667-05:002014-01-20T14:03:48.667-05:00I agree with Siri. I really really like velvet but...I agree with Siri. I really really like velvet but the thought of making anything with it is pretty scary at this point. Can anyone recommend a good starter project? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.Troyhttp://www.sewingshophq.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-15585232417294044852014-01-20T04:09:24.681-05:002014-01-20T04:09:24.681-05:00Thank you gertie, you have just saved me from wrec...Thank you gertie, you have just saved me from wrecking my velvet that I have set aside for a jacket. Hunting for appropriate facings now!EVESEWCOOLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08939851294144030642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-59715674673648109892014-01-18T03:31:42.081-05:002014-01-18T03:31:42.081-05:00Great tips, thank you.Great tips, thank you.dentihttp://www.mavogue.fr/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-64199802014461599212014-01-15T14:00:45.973-05:002014-01-15T14:00:45.973-05:00Great tip to use easy to sew lining fabric with di...Great tip to use easy to sew lining fabric with difficult to sew garment fabric. So smart and clever! Is a tailor baste stitch a good substitute for double row of basting? Or do the double rows hold the layers like no other? Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17325862946702341039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-64779932486522536942014-01-15T13:56:40.450-05:002014-01-15T13:56:40.450-05:00I know it sounds obvious but, you will pre-treat t...I know it sounds obvious but, you will pre-treat the fabric as you will treat it after it's sewn into a garment. So wool fabric, before and after it's apparel is hand washed, or dry cleaned (or heavily steamed). I think the general recommendation for cotton velvet is dry clean (sorry).Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17325862946702341039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-38140746843818026222014-01-15T06:59:58.512-05:002014-01-15T06:59:58.512-05:00I tried sewing cotton velvet...it left bits of vel...I tried sewing cotton velvet...it left bits of velvet everywhere and I was coughing for days after I cut it out. And kept fraying at the seams. *sigh* No matter how much I like velvet I just can't face that again.M'ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02697943030492173302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-41458432142382665762014-01-14T13:06:31.664-05:002014-01-14T13:06:31.664-05:00I've just made some trousers with a very fine ...I've just made some trousers with a very fine cotton cord, which is almost like velvet. I made the mistake of not cutting all the pieces with the same pile/nap direction, and it's very noticeable on the side seams. But we learn from our mistakes!PatFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-31567975006200567642014-01-14T12:36:25.754-05:002014-01-14T12:36:25.754-05:00Nap direction is optional -- you can alternate dir...Nap direction is optional -- you can alternate directions for special effects -- but mostly you should try to get all the nap pointed in the same direction throughout a garment. In a theatrical costume design class, I was taught to always run the nap pointing upwards for stage garments: it makes the color look deeper and more intense, and stage lighting is much kinder to velvet garments made this way. Running the nap downwards gives a beautiful sheen to the fabric. Designer's choice!LinBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15999430801003441981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-90593192703537463252014-01-14T09:52:14.666-05:002014-01-14T09:52:14.666-05:00The last time I sewed velvet it was surprisingly t...The last time I sewed velvet it was surprisingly trouble-free. This is most likely because the velvet had an acetate pile that interlocked with itself beautifully--kind of like hook/loop tape. But it wasn't a stiff/harsh feeling velvet pile. I simply smooshed the piles together on adjoining garment section seam allowances. When smooshed like this, the whole seam allowance area stiffened like cardboard. But it was easy to sew the seams without the velvet slipping against itself. I doubt this would work with a rayon pile, but it's definitely something I'm going to remember for the next time I sew velvet.Stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12181928494578487821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-68203837631312339592014-01-14T08:14:45.371-05:002014-01-14T08:14:45.371-05:00A walking foot works great for keeping layers toge...A walking foot works great for keeping layers together (along with basting, of course). For pressing, use a needleboard. As for washing velvet, cut a 3x3 inch square and wash/dry it as you would the garment--you'll find out if it shrinks, if the color runs, and if the nap will hold up to laundering.Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01895625114035965626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-68250023595036666172014-01-14T04:44:53.131-05:002014-01-14T04:44:53.131-05:00Thanks fot the tips and I love your skirt/dress! Thanks fot the tips and I love your skirt/dress! Leinz Creationshttp://www.leinzcreations.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-50749059296476480282014-01-14T03:43:03.607-05:002014-01-14T03:43:03.607-05:00Thanks for all the great info. I love velvet but I...Thanks for all the great info. I love velvet but I haven't tried sewing with it yet. I want to try it soon, though I find it hard to get hold of nice velvet fabric where I am, here in Aus.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-74067866505286696662014-01-14T03:10:06.776-05:002014-01-14T03:10:06.776-05:00I always sew so the nice stroke is downwards, alth...I always sew so the nice stroke is downwards, although the common practice is to construct so the nap stroke is upwards. Apparently this looks better. But one of the nice things about wearing velvet is being able to stroke it, and it feels wrong stroking upwards!! :)MrsC (Maryanne)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14440723067459232998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-22847163423952350542014-01-14T01:32:02.437-05:002014-01-14T01:32:02.437-05:00This was very helpful! I wish I'd read advice ...This was very helpful! I wish I'd read advice like this in college when I first experienced the terror of sewing velvet. I nearly had a panic attack just cutting it! Then I tried ironing a bit of it and instantly regretted it. But I guess some lessons have to be learned from mistakes!Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10524828341998338425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-35894500038868214592014-01-14T00:49:34.322-05:002014-01-14T00:49:34.322-05:00Gosh Gertie I love this blog....you sew the best s...Gosh Gertie I love this blog....you sew the best stuff and I should just say you're one of my favorite sewing ladies....I have a few faves and your definitely one of em.....this is another cool ensemble and bit of sewing info.....I was wondering if you had any info on sewing a petticoat?...I kinda want a bigger flair on my skirts sometimes....have you made a post about that before?.....if so, would you please share your link if time permits?....thanks in advance! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04753008185520870756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-90921461872841499422014-01-14T00:41:25.256-05:002014-01-14T00:41:25.256-05:00I've just been pondering a project in velvet, ...I've just been pondering a project in velvet, so this is great info to have!Emileigh https://www.blogger.com/profile/13683866769745929646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-89556706156877136542014-01-13T23:32:21.911-05:002014-01-13T23:32:21.911-05:00Nice post! Nice post! jilehttp://www.okdame.de/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-77871531144566873472014-01-13T21:21:21.448-05:002014-01-13T21:21:21.448-05:00I find that velvet works better if your nap is goi...I find that velvet works better if your nap is going 'south' on every piece of whatever you are making. So if it is a skirt the nap would travel from waist to hem, or a top from shoulder to waist. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12044190414989749331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-12314798431990102192014-01-13T20:36:11.150-05:002014-01-13T20:36:11.150-05:00Thanks for the post. If you use a zipper foot you...Thanks for the post. If you use a zipper foot you can keep the presser foot tracks inside the seam and protect the nap on the garment. I have paid pros to press velvet. They press from the wrong side over a needle board, which will support the nap. Even then you have to be careful that the iron is not too hot. Lorindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16827815776566518090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-15587714305355263972014-01-13T19:23:31.128-05:002014-01-13T19:23:31.128-05:00I would recommend a walking foot. Makes slippery ...I would recommend a walking foot. Makes slippery fabric much easier to sew. I have used it on Minkee (similiar slippery fabric with a pile) and it works great for that.Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00486080201554576706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-44077424975275015442014-01-13T19:00:19.797-05:002014-01-13T19:00:19.797-05:00As I made my cotton velvet dress, I pressed it wit...As I made my cotton velvet dress, I pressed it with the right side over a brush. It worked well for me, no shiny spots.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14424680771854037442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-86487784863589950642014-01-13T16:50:45.300-05:002014-01-13T16:50:45.300-05:00I love velvet, it is so lush and luxurious :) But ...I love velvet, it is so lush and luxurious :) But I am terrified to sew with it, as it has a bad rep. I really need to get over this :) Thanks for sharing your insights!Sirihttp://pinhouseplaymate.blogspot.no/noreply@blogger.com