Hi
Here is a document I had published on my website , that talks about Silk and compensating for it , I would normally put a link to my website but I was warned, so i copied the page here,. It covers Silk
Silk is very unique in my mind as it holds it own as a very strong fiber, it has a shiny and elegant appearance and its also very hard to hoop as its a bit on the slippery side. On this page we will look at embroidering on silk, how to digitize for silk uses and tips on dealing with this wonderful fabric.
Embroidery on Silk
You will find some delicate fabrics and unique items made with silk, like wedding pillows, silk flowers, blouses and shirts and a few other items like some suits linings etc.
This fabric as mention about is very strong and is very versatile and yet hard to hoop and looks so shiny and delicate. It can be used to sew light designs on like using Trapunto designs. ( Trapunto Instructions )
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Embroidery on Silk
When embroidering on silk I recommend the following;
When you digitize designs for silk usually its very straight forward, I like to use a wide range of digitizing methods depending on what I am sewing on. You can make 3D flowers using Silk or using Organza, silk is a bit more stable and easier to sew. I also like outlined patterns or raised Trapunto patterns and large monogram. What ever the technique you choose you may want to consider the following. I also like using silk as an applique fabric in other designs as the sheen is very directions and reflects the light. Your technique is only limited by your imagination.
Digitizing For Silk
When I digitize designs for Silk I recommend the following settings;
Here is a document I had published on my website , that talks about Silk and compensating for it , I would normally put a link to my website but I was warned, so i copied the page here,. It covers Silk
Silk is very unique in my mind as it holds it own as a very strong fiber, it has a shiny and elegant appearance and its also very hard to hoop as its a bit on the slippery side. On this page we will look at embroidering on silk, how to digitize for silk uses and tips on dealing with this wonderful fabric.
Embroidery on Silk
You will find some delicate fabrics and unique items made with silk, like wedding pillows, silk flowers, blouses and shirts and a few other items like some suits linings etc.
This fabric as mention about is very strong and is very versatile and yet hard to hoop and looks so shiny and delicate. It can be used to sew light designs on like using Trapunto designs. ( Trapunto Instructions )
Embroidery on Silk
When embroidering on silk I recommend the following;
- Use 70/10 SP needle
- Medium- heavy tearaway 3- 5 oz
- Wrap the hoops with tearaway
- Use 1 inch wooden hoops
- (Trapunto designs use 3/4 inch batting larger than the hoops and cutaway backing for pillows)
When you digitize designs for silk usually its very straight forward, I like to use a wide range of digitizing methods depending on what I am sewing on. You can make 3D flowers using Silk or using Organza, silk is a bit more stable and easier to sew. I also like outlined patterns or raised Trapunto patterns and large monogram. What ever the technique you choose you may want to consider the following. I also like using silk as an applique fabric in other designs as the sheen is very directions and reflects the light. Your technique is only limited by your imagination.
Digitizing For Silk
When I digitize designs for Silk I recommend the following settings;
- Use a density of 65 spi
- perpendicular underlay on columns
- perpendicular and parallel underlay on text to build it up
- When punching fills we recommend parallel underlay for stitches to the out site so you do not see them in the designs.
- Try to hide all the underlay and manual stitches before laying the top stitches down.
- For columns stitches I recommend a pull compensation of absolute .01 inch to compensate for the shrinkage.
- For fills I recommend a pull comp of absolute at .02 inch as it will have a bit more of push when sewing. .
- Note .. When doing fills try to force the fill in one direction the overlap will show up on this fabric.
