My sewing resolution for 2014 is to broaden my horizons and try sewing with fabrics that are new to me. First up, silk-cotton blends. These fabrics have a beautiful sheen and a stiff drape, perfect if you want to make a garment that has strong, simple lines. Project Runway designers often turn to our silk-cotton and silk-wool blends to go for the win.
Silk-cottons and silk-wools at Mood Fabrics NYC.
I chose BurdaStyle’s “Luxe Tee” top pattern as good match for my first foray into sewing with silk-cotton. It reminds me of the boxy tops I admire from Stella McCartney, plus it helped that the BurdaStyle model is wearing this top in a very similar silk fabric.
Silk-cotton is a great fabric to work with. It stays put when you’re cutting and stitching, unlike its slippery silk cousins. Presses beautifully (always use a press cloth). The only downside is that it does fray a bit, so you need to finish your seams appropriately. I had hoped to treat my seams by stitching and pinking, but it frayed too much for that so I serged them instead. The next time I sew with silk-cotton or silk-wool (similar properties to silk-cotton but tends to wrinkle a little more easily), I will probably use a Hong Kong finish on the seams.
I really, really like this top and I give full credit to the fabric! Here are some of our silk-cotton blends at MoodFabrics.com, but note that not all of them will have the exact same properties as my fabric. As always, we recommend you order a swatch first.
Sewing with alpaca is next on my list of personal fabric challenges. I’m almost done with a black alpaca zip vest—stay tuned!
15 comments
Meg – this is a wonderful color and I like the shape on you. Will you try a silk/wool blend too?
Lovely top – great color and pattern choice. I enjoy sewing with silk cotton too and Mood has a good selection.
Great top. I am a big fan of the boxy top look right now and this pattern is perfect for this. Must feel nice to find a new fabric that you like. Good luck with the Alpaca!
Meg, this looks great on you, love the color. Thanks for the tips and the information on this fabric.
This is a gorgeous top and color. I love it!
It’s awesome that you’re experimenting. 🙂
The top looks great. I really like your resolution to try different fabrications. I can’t wait to see your alpaca vest.
This looks great! I love this color on you! It’s so fun to see you on the blog! 🙂
Lovely top Meg! The colour, fabric and style look great on you. Such a neat idea to sew with new-to-you fabrics, this one is a winner.
Ooh, lovely and uber chic! I’m going to have to give this fabric another chance. The only time I worked with it, it wrinkled like crazy and would not iron out! Doesn’t sound like you had the same problem, though.
Amanda, were you sewing silk-wool or silk-cotton? From what my experts tell me, silk-wool wrinkles a lot more than silk-cotton.
Gorgeous top and color!!!!
Meg thats beautiful! I see you found some time for yourself to sew something the color is great on you!
[…] I let my daughter take my black puffer vest back to college with her this winter, and I wanted to replace it with a more upscale version. A black alpaca fabric from Alexander Wang I found at Mood NYC had just the right amount of warmth and chic-ness I was looking for. Plus, I’ve never sewn alpaca before (see Sewing new fabrics, goals of 2014). […]
Love the color! can’t wait to see your vest.