Working with satin??

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Old 01-10-2014, 08:12 PM
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Default Working with satin??

I was asked to make a pillow case out of satan fabric for my friend, I have never sewed with satan before, would I use a walking foot or is there something else that I could do to keep the fabric from slipping when I sew it together? Thanks
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Old 01-10-2014, 08:20 PM
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Sew with tissue underneath. Do a sample to see if the feed dogs leave marks. If so, use 2 strips of tissue. By the way, cut the tissue in strips. Good luck.
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Old 01-11-2014, 05:17 AM
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If you have a serger, a serger edge will keep the fraying contained. If not, try French seams for the pillowcase. The last time I sewed satin I use lots of pins but now I might try dots of my Elmer's glue stick in the seam allowance to control the edges.
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Old 01-11-2014, 05:36 AM
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Use small stitches too. I made my dil a satin pillowcase and it wasn't long before she was bringing it back saying the seam had come undone. I made the french seam too. They have to be careful with satin and not pull as hard as when you use cotton. Just used silver yesterday and on my black pants, I looked like I had fur growing on me.
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Old 01-11-2014, 11:39 AM
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I made satin pillowcases for my dog's beds and pads (about 7 cases in all). He is a Maltese and his hair can get to be a tangled mess. As Tartan suggested, I did use Elmer's school glue in the seam allowances instead of pins (the pins just slipped out and were pretty useless). The glue worked great! I did French seams also to tame those raveling edges but I haven't washed and pulled them on and off of the beds much so I don't know if I used too large of a stitch and if the seams will start coming apart or not as mentioned by dd.
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Old 01-11-2014, 02:39 PM
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I never would have thought of using school glue stick for the seams but will try it, I have used it for my binding on quilts and it works great ....I will make sure the stitches are smaller then I usually use also...thanks for all your help, I always can count on all of you for your good advice and help when ever I can't figure something out..Thank you all!
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Old 01-11-2014, 04:56 PM
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I am a seamstress at a bridal shop. I pin satin about every 3 inches. A walking foot will help if you have one. I have a Pfaff with IDT. Use a sharp needle. I don't like to use any kind of glue because I don't like the stiffness of it. Be sure to use a seam finish of some kind. I prefer a serger for the edges. Satin is not that hard to work with if you pin close enough and sew carefully.
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Old 01-12-2014, 12:49 PM
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I agree with the glue stick..works much better than pins for me! Also..if it is a large piece and is sliding everywhere, I grab a couple cans of canned veggies to anchor it. As long as you've glue-sticked it..you shouldn't need a walking foot, unless you already have one. I have 2 walking feet and never use them..I find them cumbersome and a pain to work with..I sew lots of silk and satin with a regular foot. Also, you should use a ball point needle to avoid breaking the fibers.
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Old 01-12-2014, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by maryb119 View Post
I am a seamstress at a bridal shop. I pin satin about every 3 inches. A walking foot will help if you have one. I have a Pfaff with IDT. Use a sharp needle. I don't like to use any kind of glue because I don't like the stiffness of it. Be sure to use a seam finish of some kind. I prefer a serger for the edges. Satin is not that hard to work with if you pin close enough and sew carefully.

maryb119 gave great advice. I once made a fancy dress western shirt, with piping, in satin, and this is what I learned. Remember to use a small, new, ball point needle. Work methodically. (Check off each step with a pencil so you can go back and erase when you finish, for next time.) Un-sewing in satin is just impossible to hide. If I am sewing a long seam, I put the pins in the seam allowance, end to end facing the pressing foot, so I can pull them as they reach the presser foot. No sliding if you also use the tissue trick. I have found that school glue stick is a wonderful tool with satin and leaves no residue. (Try it on a scrap and then rinse and dry to check for residue in the water in your area first.) Remember even experts do not sew fast on satin, but they do use it every day and so can you.

Last edited by madamekelly; 01-12-2014 at 02:17 PM.
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Old 03-11-2014, 10:11 PM
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Working with satin was a very difficult task for me initially. The stitches always used to come out. Stitching by placing a tissue in between helped me a lot in it.
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