PLEASE - can anyone help? A seamstress / dress maker???

[Kitsandbits]

Right long story ..

Im getting married in December and because it will be freezing we need stoles/wraps. They were all expensive on ebay and inshops so my aunt sews and offered to make them. We bought the fabric and faux fur and she set about it.

But she cant do it! She only told me yesterday and she has been trying for 2 weeks.

She says the silk lining just wont sew straight onto the fur, it crumples.

She has had people round to hold it taute at all corners and run it through the machine but with no luck

She has rang round and the cheapest quote is £10 per stole, but i have 6!

I really cant afford that at all Im allready way over budget and everythings falling to pieces! Im just so stressed!

Does anyone know if theres a special needle or something you use??

Idon't know what Im waffling about, lol - justany advice on how we could do it??

[Clary]

I have read somewhere that is you put tissue paper underneath the silk it holds it in place. You stitch the tissue paper in as well IYSWIM and then just tear it off.

Never done it but it's maybe worth a try?

[lailasmum]

Different feet on her machine might help. Sewing silk is hard. And altering the tension on the machine might help too. Could she sew the silk onto some thin cotton and then sew these two layers onto the fur with the cotton as a hidden layer.

[Kitsandbits]

Hiya

Thanks for the suggestions.

I love her dearly and I am sograteful for hewr offer but shes not been sewing long and I think its a bit too much IYKWIM.

Ill pass the suggestions on

[sugarfree]

I charge £10/hour as a bare minimum for dressmaking,so you quotes sound very reasonable I'm afraid. Possibly a 'walking foot' on the sewing machine might help. Without having a feel and a go at it myself,I can't really suggest anything else I'm afraid.

[Kitsandbits]

I know they are reasonable but they are an extra £60 that I just dont have

[Kitsandbits]

And now the fabrics all cut up so I cant even return it.

[lailasmum]

could you hire something somewhere? Some of the wedding dress shops might do stoles to hire. Alternatively could she just line the fur with a plain complimentary cotton and forget the silk.

[fizzbuzz]

Could she iron some very lightweight interfacing to the silk, to reinforce it or stabilise it.

You can use tissue paper with silk to stop it puckering or slipping, but it sounds like you are using an extremely thin silk with a very heavy fur, and this could cause puckering.

Stay stitching the edges might help, or buy a thicker silk........

How does it crumple, does it fall apart or gather up?

Could be tension as someone else said

[fizzbuzz]

Also sewing very slowly might help as well....very hard without seeing the actual stuff

[mistypeaks]

I've just pulled my stole out of the wardrobe from my wedding. If it is of any use the lining on mine is not silk it's a quite heavy, but shiny cotton material. So it looks like even the pro's don't use silk!! Can you afford different lining material?? Or are there 6 of us MNers willing to lend you our collective stoles?? I'd be willing (not like I'm wearing it to take LOs to pre-school!!)

[fizzbuzz]

Also, has she trimmed seams, and cut the corners, anything will pucker up if this isn't done

[DeputyDawg]

I think the best solution would be to handstitch the silk to the fur. Labour intensive, I know, but it will save you looking for other more expensive solutions!

[fizzbuzz]

Shiny cotton would be chintz, but agree with mistypeaks it needs a thicker lining

[Pacific]

Where are you Kitsandbits?

It sounds like you will have to use some strengthening , either tissue or very light iron on Vylene.

Then you will need to pin the silk on to the fur and hand sew it on. there is a technique for hand sewing invisibly but I cannot really describe it to you. It would have to be demonstrated.

I can do quite fancy dressmaking....ball gowns etc. and possibly could help.

[mistypeaks]

Thanks for the fabric naming fizzbuzz (not my strong point!!!) Suede and leather are the only ones I can name!!! You know up until 2 mins ago I thought chintz was a description for flowery home decor

[moonmother]

where abouts are you KitsandBits?

I used to make these for a living,would love to help you out if possible.

One question tho....was the silk cut on the cross? that could be the reason why its not sitting on the stole right.

If you'd like any help let me know and hopefully we can sort something out.

[Kitsandbits]

Hiya

Im in manchester

Thanks so much for all your help.

I dont sew so am a bit confused by the questions! lol

but she is going to try wonderwebbing the silk in place then sewing it.

Dunno if it will work but its worth a try!

I dont know what 'cut on the cross' means !

[Pacific]

Hi Kits.

I am in Scotland so if you are really stuck and you were willing to post a stole to me, I would take a look. You may be better trying to find someone in your area.

[moonmother]

cut on the cross means when you look at the silk you should see the way that it's woven ie lines that go a certain way if its been cut on the 'cross' the lines will go diagnally(sp) across the silk,if it hasn't the lines will go straight across either horizontally or vertically.

I'm afraid if the silk's not been cut on the cross then your going to have trouble getting it on.

Wonderweb involves ironing,not a good idea with fur I'm afraid it may melt it.

I'm willing if you able to get some more silk (if it hasnt been cut on the cross)to make these for you ,free of charge,all you'd have to do is sort out the postage to me and back again.

[Kitsandbits]

Oh thankyou so much moon mother!

Wow thats just so lovely!!

Shall I get silk - or is there something that would be easier for you?Im not really fuused about the lining - so if something else is tougher or easier to work with Im more than happy to get some of that instead!

My email is [email protected] xx

[moonmother]

If the lining's not bothering you too much then I would suggest satin lining material,its a lot cheaper and easier to work with.

I'm pretty sure you'd have a dunelm near you I know they do it there.

I'll email you my details...

[Kitsandbits]

Hiya I just rang my aunt and the lining is satin

So does the cross thing apply to that? If not cold just send it on as it is?

Also she has cut out 2 of them already.

I appreciate this so very, very much! I really do!

[moonmother]

Yeah just send it as it is I'll sort them out ,lol

I've emailed you my details

[Kitsandbits]

Fantastic!

you are a wonderful lady!

[moonmother]

aww shucks