Here's some tips on working with crushed velvet. Plus, learn how to make your own crushed velvet.
Making your own crushed velvet
- Crumple up regular velvet.
- Wrap string around the velvet.
- Place velvet in a steamer and let it "cook" for about 30 minutes.
- Remove from the steamer and let dry.
- Once fabric has dried, remove the string.
Tips for using crushed velvet
- Be consistent in positioning the direction of the fabric. Place pattern pieces on top of crushed velvet going the same way.
- Use pattern weights instead of pins because pins will leave tiny holes in the sensitive velvet fabric.
- Cut crushed velvet at a single thickness only.
- Choose simple garment styles when working with crushed velvet.
- To construct a fitted jacket out of crushed velvet, baste lining to all of the pattern pieces. This will make sewing easier.
- Don't remove seams in crushed velvet to resize a garment. Velvet is not forgiving and the stitch marks from the first seam will show.
- Baste crushed velvet fabric pieces together before you sew seams to help make it more manageable.
- Use a 70-10 H needle and an even feed foot when sewing crushed velvet.
- Eliminate puckers by using 10 to 12 stitches per inch, and by taking a break as you sew about every four inches in order to let the fabric relax.
- Don't use an iron-on interfacing with crushed velvet.
- Press velvet with the wrong side up, using a needle board. This will keep the nap of the velvet intact. Hold iron 1/2 inch above material and let steam penetrate. Use your fingers to open any seams.
