Bernina 1008 Status Update: Taffeta, Chiffon, and Cotton
I was taken by the Bernina 1008 during an in-store test drive, and I’d like to document my sewing adventures and share my experience, hard lessons, and knowledge. This is the first of what I hope will be a regular series of status updates and reviews about my machine.
Because of the faster speed of my machine, I had some difficulty smoothly navigating curved seams. Overlock Stitch is my savior! Zig-zag stitches worked for seam binding on my old machine. The overlock stitch feels less stiff than the zig-zag, particularly on the Bernina 1008 Straight Stitch.
What needle do I use to sew chiffon?
Use new, sharp needles, preferably needles designed specifically for lightweight sheer fabrics, when sewing chiffon on a sewing machine: 60/8, 65/9, 70/10, Singer sizes 9, 11.
Is chiffon difficult to sew?
Chiffon is one of the most beautiful fabrics to use in your apparel projects, but it can also be one of the more difficult fabrics to work with due to its delicate nature. But fear not: sewing chiffon is easier than you think with a little patience, the right tools, and a few simple tricks!
Can you use hemming tape on chiffon?
If you absolutely must use it on chiffon, press the hem to length first, then use fusible hem tape (available at Joann). It’s a thin webbing that melts the layers together and is less noticeable.
Does chiffon need to be hemmed?
Because chiffon is such a light fabric, the thread you use to hem it should be fine and light as well. Before you work with it, spray it with fabric stabilizer to make it stiffer and easier to cut and sew.
Is chiffon a good material?
Chiffon is a lovely, decorative fabric with a lot of benefits for fashion and design. It drapes beautifully, which is why it’s so popular for evening gowns. It also holds a little bit of its own structure, which gives it a nice character.
Can you cut a chiffon dress?
Cutting out slippery chiffon fabric can be a nightmare; you can’t use pins to stabilize the fabric for cutting because they’ll leave holes in this delicate fabric, and you can’t cut it on the fold because the fabric will shift and you’ll easily lose the grain line.
What do you line chiffon with?
Thread for Chiffon or Sheer Lightweight Fabric Because the fabric is made up of very fine fibers, you’ll want to use a thread that’s not heavier than the fabric; for this sewing job, use good quality, fine cotton or polyester cotton-covered thread.
How do you seal chiffon edges?
If you’re using synthetic fiber chiffon (Polyester), you can sometimes seal the edges by cutting it out with a hot knife (basically a heated X-acto blade) or by sealing the edges with a lighter. The plastic will melt on itself, creating a clean edge and keeping the fray away.