Need help making a bridesmaid dress.
 

I know this is a quilting board, but there are several of you that were accomplished seamstresses in your past life, and I need advice. It has been a long time since I have sewn garments. My niece is sewing bridesmaids dresses for her future sister in law, and in a moment of insanity I volunteered to help. I just got off the phone with her and she said the material was satin. Her sister in law had made a dress out of the same material and it was puckering at the seams. Hearing that, brought back the nightmare of the prom dress I made many years ago, and it puckering at the seams. I tried to do everything right. Someone explained it to me that the way the material is woven that when you cut it and try to sew it back together, it causes a wrippling affect at the seams. Any words of wisdom or other tips for sewing with this fabric will be apprecated. As I said it has been along time, I am hoping it is just like riding a bike. LOL

Hey, Suzie, I sew a lot of garments and have found the need to change the needle on my machine often stops the puckering. Also sewing satin its important to use the right type of needle. Sometimes, I change needles until It stops puckering. It has worked for me. I like to use a 'sharp' needle to sew satin. I've also found it helps to use a top end thread.

Good luck, that is an ambitious project! A sharp, fine needle would help. I don't envy you that job!

I just got back from surfing the net for info, and they suggested 10-15 stiches per inch. I wonder if that was part of my problem before? There was not the wonderful resources at my fingertips back then. I am glad I offered, as my niece did not know about not washing it, or no steam and pinning in the seam allowence. Any input is appreciated.

If you don't have a serger, you can zigzag the seams, just press lightly with either serged or zigzagged seams. Size 9 needle, Guterman polyester thread, an Elna machine, seven wedding dresses, 20 prom dresses, 15 bridesmaid dresses and never a puckered seam. Sometimes it's the machine, too. I borrowed a friend's machine because mine was busy elsewhere - mistake. The borrowed machine whose brand I won't mention wouldn't sew lace or satin.

Check out http://www.Patternreview.com. There is a section on sewing formal wear where you can get some great tips. You will have to get a free membership in order to post a question.

I found this site, through PR.

I had a similar problem years ago and my MIL told me to sew over tissue wrapping paper. It helped.