Sponsors
Sponsors
how could I finish the edges? (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 10/21/12 5:25 PM ET
I bought this amazing silk organza to make an over skirt for baby girls costume. I want to cut it into petal shapes and build a skirt. I originally planned to double up and stitch petals in pairs, creating a finished edge. However, this fabric I found might look even prettier in a single layer. It's so floaty and ethereal. I wonder if I could just leave the edges unfinished? Otherwise, how would I possibly hem a curved petal shape?
Thanks for any help.
------
Thanks for any help.
------
Melanie
Posted on: 10/21/12 6:37 PM ET
In reply to meleliza
Yes it does fray. Mabe does not matter that much for just a childs Halloween costume they might never ware again though. I think sometimes cut on the bias it might not fray quite as much. If you are not going to wash it too much, and only maybe once or never, possibly putting some fray check on the cut edges of it, might make it fray a bit less.
That would be tricky to finish off edge on single layer flower petals, but I guess you could turn under and hand sew. Or finish off with a ovrlocker pretty easy, or maybe use pinking shears or even run one line of straight stitch around petal, then cover with a tight satin stitch, and only afterwards then cut edges off close to that. That might work fine, as it's pretty stiff even all by it's self. Also could always cut two like petals, place them back to back. seam it, clip the curves and them turn inside out and press and then you would have a finished edge.
If you used the not so nice as real silk, but just nylon or polyester oganza instead (which also frays just as much I think) then I think if you stitched around it once, even just by straight stitch, then cut and sealed it with heat (like a soldering iron or something like that) because that kind would melt there then, that might seal it off and keep it from raveling so much, but it would make it stiffer on the edges, and maybe not so great against skin then.
If you buy a bunch of cheap fake fabric flowers though, those are already sealed off on the edges of them, (the kind with plastic stems and fabric leaves and petals) most times they got a bunch of flower petals stacked on top of each other for each flower there. Held together with some kind of plastic plug there. If you pull that off, then you can get a bunch of loose pre-formed flower petals that way, and you could just very easy sew those over and on top of some other kind of base fabric for a skirt.
That would be tricky to finish off edge on single layer flower petals, but I guess you could turn under and hand sew. Or finish off with a ovrlocker pretty easy, or maybe use pinking shears or even run one line of straight stitch around petal, then cover with a tight satin stitch, and only afterwards then cut edges off close to that. That might work fine, as it's pretty stiff even all by it's self. Also could always cut two like petals, place them back to back. seam it, clip the curves and them turn inside out and press and then you would have a finished edge.
If you used the not so nice as real silk, but just nylon or polyester oganza instead (which also frays just as much I think) then I think if you stitched around it once, even just by straight stitch, then cut and sealed it with heat (like a soldering iron or something like that) because that kind would melt there then, that might seal it off and keep it from raveling so much, but it would make it stiffer on the edges, and maybe not so great against skin then.
If you buy a bunch of cheap fake fabric flowers though, those are already sealed off on the edges of them, (the kind with plastic stems and fabric leaves and petals) most times they got a bunch of flower petals stacked on top of each other for each flower there. Held together with some kind of plastic plug there. If you pull that off, then you can get a bunch of loose pre-formed flower petals that way, and you could just very easy sew those over and on top of some other kind of base fabric for a skirt.
Posted on: 10/21/12 10:05 PM ET
Thanks for all that info! This is actually very nice silk, and I imagine it will get lots of use. Last years Haloween costumes are still being worn for dress up! But I think I will make it a separate over skirt that ties with a ribbon so it will last and not need to be washed with the rest of the dress. Maybe I'll just do the double layer stitched and turned for a clean finish. I always preferr that anyway, just wanted to go for the most ethereal look I could muster. The shape I want will be difficult to hem anyway, although I like your satin stitch idea. That might help it look like leaves...
------
------
Melanie
Posted on: 10/21/12 10:18 PM ET
In reply to meleliza
you can paint the very edge of the leaves with acrylic paint to seal the edges. you can use the same paint to add veins to the leaves. Thin down the paint. You can use paint from a tube or in a jar. Clearly you need to thin down the tube paint more. paint and then let the paint dry for a day before you sew it to the dress.
------
------
sarah in nyc
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 10/22/12 12:08 PM ET
I think cutting as much as you can on the bias will do the trick - and you can use Fray Check along the edges as well. I like the paint idea also.
Posted on: 10/22/12 3:58 PM ET
What about purposely fraying the edges, so the leaves are sort of feathery?
Posted on: 10/23/12 10:02 AM ET
If you want it "perfect" (which I totally wouldn't do for a kid's costume), you could do this Perfect Baby Hem
Posted on: 10/23/12 1:57 PM ET
In reply to Courtney Ostaff
You can also sew a straight stitch a presser foot away from the leaf edge...it ought to keep the leaf from disintegrating..I would add stitched veins at the same time
------
------
sarah in nyc
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
https://sewnewyork.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 10/26/12 8:04 PM ET
Thanks for the creative suggtions! I have a little extra fabric, so maybe I can try a few techniques on mini leaves.
------
------
Melanie
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics







