Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been experimenting… rather like this…
Not sure which one is me…
So what lead me to this? This…
Sew Bossy package from Leila of Three Dresses
Yup, that 100% silk business scared the heck outta me. Until this point I have avoided slippery fabrics like the plague. In fact… I probably would have preferred the plague…
Once confronted by the Sew Bossy Challenge there was no running away from my sewing demons… they had come to live in my sewing room (shacked up with my drunk monkey, eating popcorn and throwing their empties at the wall – it was mayhem!).
While freaking out, and naturally, tweetin’ about my sewing angst, Leila, my Sew Bossy Boss told me (nicely) to go forth and bathe my silk in gelatin.
Exactly. What the???
So I checked out Leila’s post about this. Then Google lead me to the Couture Academic’s post. Then Threads. And finally Ms Gelatin Bath herself via Google search and Twitter… drum roll please…
Lena Merrin of the Sewing Space right here in Down Under Land aka Australia.
Let me tell you – this is genius. I bathed that silk and cut out that Grainline Archer – and sewed it up like the boss (until the collar but that’s another post – patience).
I was so impressed that I tried again last weekend with some seriously wafty, floaty, super sheer, very temperamental poly chiffon (yeah, I know, I know! Polyester! What the?? BUT the print is glorious and if that project works you will be sagely noddin’ your heads and saying “that Lizzy might be the fruitcake of the bakery but that fabric is all shades of awesomesauce,” Patience people, that’s another post too.).
I used the mixture from the Sewing Space which you can find in greater detail here – go read it for the instructions, I’m no guru I’m more Beaker-like – in a nutshell you need:-
- 3 teaspoons of gelatin (powdered stuff from the supermarket, I think mine was about $3)
- a cup of tap water (which I heated up in the microwave after its 30 minutes of brewing with the gelatin)
- a bucket
- 3 litres of water.
That is all.
Oh… and
- a defiant, slippery fabric of course (that needs a good punch in the chops to let it know who is boss)…
… and then, without a Muppet Beaker-like explosion (which would be kinda fun but not very productive), your sewing life will be transformed FOREVER.
SERIOUSLY.
Go tame those slippery fabric beasts and let me hear you ROAR!
Just keep your sewing area dry (so no crying about a wonky seams now!) and rinse it out at the end. Your fabric is not super stiff, the gelatin just gives it enough body to make cutting and sewing so much easier!
Thank you Lena & Leila! This is liberating stuff, a few more of my sewing demons have been evicted from my sewing room, never to return. Jump over and check out Lena’s free files – there is a great file of how much fabric you need for different types of garments and a croquis file – now I can really stash and sketch… *rushes off to sewing room*)
Sew Busy Lizzy 
No more slippery fabric fear, I am glad I could help you to beat a sewing demon 🙂
You banished that one forever!
Ooh yay! Anything to help. So did you get this great stuff from woolies or coles? I havent a clue where to even look.
Just from the ‘cooking needs’ section at Coles – where the cupcake decorations, cooking chocolate can be found
I could have used this 4hrs ago, but I’ve cut out the damn thing now, might be tempted to try with cut pieces just to make them easier to sew! You are too helpful!
I think it’s the most empowering thing I’ve learnt. I found I didn’t need to pin as much either. Enjoy!
top tips! i love bunsen and beaker. they are my favourite muppets.
I do rather love the Swedish Chef as well…
YAY! I’m so glad you’ve found the gelatin miracle!!!
It’s awesome.
You could try sandwiching you fabric in paper. Much easier to cut fabric. And you can even sew on it
I’ve thought about that – I think for smaller projects it would be good but with 2m of fabric and lots of shirt pattern pieces I think the gelatin was best for the Archer project. It gives the fabric a slight crunch and it doesn’t slide at all, I didn’t have to pin much.
Huh, who would have ever thought of using gelatin.
I know! Weird but it works!
What a fabulous! I’ve been using Sullivan’s Spray Stabilizer (recommended on Colette website) but it always leaves residue all over my hands and floor…this seems to be a much more convenient! I’m excited to try it out!
This is probably cheaper too!
thanks so much for this! I have been trying to buy the famous Sullivan’s stabiliaer but it can’t be shipped to Europe:(. I found some sewist bloggers who use cornstarch but this sounds way better. I can’t wait to try it out on all the slippery stuff I procrastinate over using!
Looking forward to your finished Archer now you have given us that sneak peek!
Just got buttonholes and buttons to go….
Fascinating! I’ve never heard that one and I’ve been sewing for years. I love this ‘place.’ Well done, well done.
That fabric is gorgeous and you are funny. Love it all.
It’s surprising the things you learn sewing!
now that is something I haven’t heard before…genius! Was battling with some slippery mystery fabric today, will definitely try this…if it works for a shirt it’s awesome
I found it really helpful.
Very cool. I heard about the gelatin thing from Leila too but haven’t tried it. I have some silk chiffon that’s waiting to be made into something.
I put off using silk for ages because it seemed too hard. This makes it easier.
This sounds brilliant! I have some silk waiting for me to make into a pussy now blouse. I’m totally going to get some gelatin before I cut into it.
Good luck!
Thanks so much! I will definitely try this. You may have saved so many people from snatching their hair out!
Excellent we can’t have a world of bald sewists!
I will definitely be trying this- I have used the spray starch method but am curious to know if this is BETTER! Beautiful fabric BTW- looking forward to seeing the end result! ~Laurie
Lena’s a clever cookie and I’m glad you tamed that silk beast.
I can’t believe this works! I am going to have to give it a try! Thanks for sharing!
Will definently have to give this ago. I tend to sew in cottons for fear of slippery fabrics!
I use cotton a lot, mainly because of my climate – however silk is good in hot climates…
i have some poly chiffon also with a great print. might try this as i am a slippery sewing virgin!
LOL that’s a term! Good luck being de-flowered!
Genius. I am SO doing this thing. Thank you for the links and the knowledge!
It’s amazing this little secret isn’t better known. Here’s to broadcasting this info across the sewing blogsphere!
OMG! This is genius! Just like you I steered away from silky fabrics because I’ve been warned right left and centre how difficult it is to control when sewing! just read the recipe on your link, I assume this works with all/most kinds of silks? (wouldn’t want to damage it!)
Me too. I used it on 100% silk and barely used pins!
I guess if you can wash it, you can gelatin it. Perhaps experiment with a sample first. gelatin it, dry it, sew it, rinse it, dry it.
If you have questions try contacting Lena through her site, she’s lovely & very helpful.
Enjoy!
Thanks for the tip – now there’s a whole range of fabrics in my stash I’ll no longer be avoiding!
Excellent (*whispers* me too…)
Wow, this sounds genius! Thanks. I have just waged war with a silk Scout Tee (and although I triumphed, it was a close call). I am seriously considering a chiffon Zinnia skirt (new Colette pattern), so this sounds like a good tip to bear in mind if I pluck up the courage. Incidentally, I was planning to use a poly chiffon. Is that bad?
I don’t think anything is bad. Some bloggers are precious about sewing with fancy stuff. Not me! I think if the fabric & print works with the pattern – go for it!
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this idea!! I have some material that I have been avoiding because it is so flimsy and slippery. I put it in a bucket of the gelatine solution yesterday, following all directions, and wala!! It is just stiff enough to work with!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! I will never forget this wonderful idea!
That’s made my day – so happy to help!
At first I thought you had started drinking with the monkey but after reading your post, you’ve convinced me to try this! Bring on the slippery fabrics! And thanks for sharing. 🙂
I know! I thought it was some kinda evil monkey magic at first as it sounds so weird. However it does work (and it’s made the monkey go sulk in the corner).
Whuuuut??? This sounds awesome, I have always avoided slippery fabrics…this may give me the courage to try though!
It certainly did that for me!
i don’t think i’ve ever heard of this! sounds amazing! okay, some technical questions (cuz i have some silks to cut into…) can you still press the fabric just the same (as in, the gelatin won’t leave any marks in the fabric from the heat)? and how do you dry the fabric post-gelatining? do you have to make sure it’s on grain or can you still true it up for cutting?
Lena’s site has quite a bit of info about working with silks such as this http://thesewingspace.com/2013/09/08/sewing-silk-the-preparation/
and the other gelatin link I provided.
She suggests drying it flat but she does hang hers up. Threads say to dry it flat as well.
You need to keep your work area dry. I ironed my silk but with no steam or water.
The fabric is still quite flexible just not as slippery & drapey.
I’d experiment with some samples if you are nervous!
Good luck 😉
That’s such a cool idea. Do you have to wash out the gelatin at the end? I’m guessing the fabric doesn’t lose any of it’s drape?
Yes, it just rinses out!
Brilliant! You are a goddess thanks so much for sharing! I am very excited to try this out
I figured more people needed to try this – it’s not my idea but I’m really happy to share the brilliant stitcher who thought it up. Yay for Lena!
It changed what I think I can & can’t sew and that’s got a be a good thing!
Genius! Thanks for this amazing tip, I’m working on silk scarves and it’s been like working with a table full of freshly caught mackerel. That silk is so dang silky!
Oh Lizzy, why dont’t I read my blogs daily, just cut out a dress on Sinday of very silky silk like floral lusciousness and cussed a great deal when I unpinned, every piece relaxed into new unpatternlike shapes and I just know its going to be a drama to seam up. Gelatine!! Beep beppetty beep, and btw I love Beaker!
Oh dear! That is frustrating! At least there is a next time 🙂
Lena is a clever lady for sure and this is one of many tips I have bookmarked. I have some lovely very slippery silkies I wanna up one day. Thank you for the reminder 🙂
Isn’t it fab learning new tricks?
Absolutely – this one completely changed my sewing life! LOL I also found how Tasia sews in her invisible zipper and lining in the Cambie amazing too!
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