Thursday, August 19, 2010

Silk chiffon is not my favorite

If there's a more difficult fabric to work with then silk chiffon, I've yet to encounter it. It's paper thin, drapey, but has a mind of its own and is difficult to get to lay properly. Oh, not to mention almost impossible to cut out on grain. Now add to that 1/4" bias binding around the neckline, armholes, and back closure, and you've got a recipe for ripping your hair out.

This is dress 130 from the December 2008 Burda issue which I loved the moment I laid eyes on it nearly two years ago. I bought the fabric just a few months later, but it's been languishing in my backlog ever since because I've been too darn intimidated to cut into it.

I cut this out a week ago and have spent an entire week sewing just the top part. This fabric is so impossible to work with that I can only take it in short bursts. But I've finally gotten all the horrid bias bindings done, and can now start on the skirt. I was so unsure about the top working out that I didn't even trace or cut out the rest of it. That way if it turned into a disaster I wouldn't be wasting my beautiful navy wool crepe.


Anyway, that's what I've been up to lately. No baby yet, just swollen feet. Oh, and somebody posted a comment about wanting to see what I look like lately. (Sorry! - I'm too lazy to go back and find out who it was.) Here's a picture from my baby shower with my girlfriends who hosted the event. Dang! The camera adds at least 10 pounds, right?!

28 comments:

  1. It is really gorgeous fabric. And you are brave to try and tackle such fabric. I stay away from it like the plague.

    You look healthy and pretty as always.

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  2. Although it's a pain, the silk chiffon you picked is absolutely gorgeous! It's good you're taking you time and pacing yourself. Frustrating fabrics can be overwhelming. BTW, pregnancy suites you very well. You look so pretty:)
    ~Victoria
    tenthousandsewinghours.blogspot.com

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  3. I was going to buy silk chiffon in NYC next weekend for a few projects - you're scaring me!

    Your dress looks fabulous so far. I think all the pain will be worth it in the end.

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  4. Your chiffon looks lovely so far, especially the binding! This print will make a great transition piece! Nice!

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  5. you are soo lovely:)I want a baby too.I love your sewings.Iwant to sew like you, really:))
    Greetings from Turkey.

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  6. I love this pattern too! I hadn't realised though that the back has that cross over detail. Very nice.

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  7. It's beautiful! I think in the end it will be well worth all the trouble! Also, you look fantastic!

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  8. Just preparing you for labour my dear! It looks very nice so far. I adore the fabric you've chosen. You look very healthy too.

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  9. I agree - you look fantastic and all the best for the next couple of months!
    I love the look of your dress - worth the perserverence! I am one of those crazy's that loves sewing silk chiffon - the secret is to sew a few garments in a row and then it will start to come naturally. That's what happened to me (by force!) and suddenly it just clicks!

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  10. It is beautiful fabric, I can also imagine that the bias binding was a trial! At least you are done.

    You are positively glowing in your photo. Good luck with the last weeks of pregnancy. Don't they always seem to drag?

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  11. I keep thinking about making that dress too, it will be gorgeous. Kudos to you for finding your way around the Russian Burda site!

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  12. Your fabric is so pretty and you've done a beautiful job on the bodice. I think you are going to have one awesome dress from the way things look so far. Love the photo of you and your friends. You look great!

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  13. Yes, the chiffon is a royal pain, but think how lovely the dress will be when you finish it! In addition, you've got the hardest part behind you. The rest will go easily.

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  14. Amanda, I would try using a spray stabilizer such as Sullivan's. Make it stiffer than cardboard temporarily! Sew to your aorta's content. Then wash it out when you're done. Bingo!

    I app-solutely ♥
    my ✄ Fabric U ✄
    iPhone app!
    http://tinyurl.com/242bua9

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  15. Thanks for the suggestion, Fabric U. Unfortunately, as this is 100% silk, it is dry clean only. So, no spray starch can be used. I do like this method for other non-silk fabrics, though.

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  16. At least all your hard work has produced a beautiful top. And in Texas at least an extra 10 pounds for all the fluid our hot summers cause. You look great and having had a late August baby in Texas I feel your swollen ankles. Good luck little girls are a joy but hold on to your wallet you'll never have a dime again. ha ha

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  17. The dress looks awesome so far. Great sewing job! I never would have known about your sewing struggles. You look great!

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  18. That is a beautiful fabric you chose! You also did a beautiful job as usual!

    You look so beautiful pregnant!

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  19. I have got some lovely silk chiffon in my stash that I've been too intimidated to cut into so my heart sank when I saw the heading to your post. I thought, well, if you are having some trouble then there's no hope for me. That said it looks to me like you've definitely overcome the difficulties because the top is looking PERFECT. At least now you're on a home run because wool crepe is lovely to work with. The dress is going to be gorgeous. I love the baby shower picture - you are glowing!

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  20. I also havea silk chiffon that I'm too chicken to cut in to. Nevermind bias strips! It looks gorgeous so far.

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  21. Fabulous job on the dress so far. It looks like taking your time and sewing in small spurts is working out well!

    You look fabulous btw.

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  22. Silk chiffon is truly dreadful to work with. Every time I sew with it I swear it's that last time, but I can't seem to stay away.

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  23. Your fabric is lovely and you've done a beautiful job so far! I love silk chiffon but haven't done anything with it yet and it is on my list. Based on your comments, I'll need all the luck I can get!

    You look soooo adorable pregnant! Did you make the dress you're wearing?? It's super cute!

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  24. That's going to be a beautiful dress. Can't wait to see it.

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  25. Keep going, chiffon is a beautiful fabric. I usually stay away from anything silky and slippery, but my current project is a top in some kind of silky fabric which I can't identify. No where near as bad as yours though. :)

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  26. The dress is going to be beautiful when you are done. Like everyone else; I love the fabric. It will be worth the pain once the lovely dress is done.

    You are cute with a baby bump.
    God bless.
    C

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  27. The fabric is very pretty. Enjoy being a glowing mommy-to-be.

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  28. Oh gosh, I just bought some silk chiffon and am a little afraid to sew with it.. you've done lovely work so far!

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