Before we kick off the Rowan bodysuit and tee sewalong in a few days’ time, I thought it would be good to do a little primer, with one of my all-time favourite sewing tips. Use tissue paper to stabilise delicate fabrics!
I love little sewing tricks and this is one that my Granny taught me when I was a teenager and close to crying about not being able to sew chiffon without my machine tearing it up.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been in that situation. Ever sewn with a delicate fabric that keeps slipping as you sew or worse is being pulled down into the plate and being eaten up as you sew? Tissue paper is the solution!
Simply place a layer of tissue paper under your fabric as you sew, that is between the fabric and feed dogs/plate. This will help stabilize it and give the feed dogs something a little more solid to grab onto. Once you’re done with your sewing you can just carefully rip the tissue paper away. This is my favourite trick for sewing with super delicate fabrics like chiffon or crepe de chine. Works every time and removes a lot of headaches. It’s also very helpful when sewing slippery knits with small seam allowances and will be a huge help when sewing the V neckline option on the Rowan tee/bodysuit pattern.
But there are even more uses for tissue paper even before you reach the sewing stage. If you’re having trouble cutting slippery delicate fabrics (they have a tendency to slip right out of the fabric sheers), then place tissue paper under the fabric and pin them together before you cut. This will help you maintain an accurate cut and remove a lot of headaches for you!
The even better news is that it’s actually pretty easy to get your hands on a nice stash of tissue paper. I have actually never bought any for sewing because it’s included in way more pretty packaging than you’ve probably noticed. I have a drawer full of it and pull it out any time I need to sew something slippery.
Start saving up all that tissue paper that people stuff in gift bags or wrap your purchases in, and hoard it like a crazy person, because it’s going to be your best friend when sewing with delicate fabrics.
Any questions or ideas for other ways to use tissue paper when you’re sewing? Let me know in the comments!
LOOKING FOR MORE ROWAN POSTS?
- Inspiration and ideas for sewing your Rowan
- Rowan Pattern tester Roundup
- Rowan Curve Pattern tester Roundup
- Rowan Curve Maker Roundup
- How to stabilise fabric with tissue paper (this post!)
- How to lengthen or shorten the pattern
- How to sew a V neck on knit fabric
- How to insert a neck back with a regular sewing machine
- How to sew a snap crotch bodysuit
- Pattern Hack: How to Add Ruffle Shoulders
- Pattern Hack: Rowan maxi dress variation
- Pattern Hack: Scoop neckline variation
- Pattern Hack: Bodycon Dress
- Pattern Hack: 3 Ways to Sew Ringer Tee
- Pattern Hack: Tiered Gathered Dress
We’d love to see what you’re creating from the Rowan bodysuit and tee pattern or the Rowan Curve bodysuit and tee pattern! Don’t forget to tag your creations #MNRowan and @megannielsenpatterns to share what you’ve been working on, and check out what everyone else is up to!
Don’t have the pattern yet?!
