Sewing with Rayon Batiks Tips for Rayon

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Sewing with Rayon Batiks by Amy Barickman Rayon fabric is actually made from cellulose (usually from wood pulp), making it a semisynthetic fiber. This means it has properties of both natural and synthetic fibers. It is smooth and slippery like nylon, but feels more naturalby Am wheny Barickman worn. This makes rayon batiks perfect for sewing garments for all seasons.

Batik fabric is made by creating a dye resistant area on fabric using wax. This stops the dye from penetrating an area of the fabric leaving it blank. This can be done multiple times over with different wax layers to create layered and complex fabric designs. Tips for Rayon Washing Sewing • Wash fabric before cutting as the fabric may shrink. • We suggest using a new, sharp, size 70 needle is • You may want to serge or zig-zag your edges before perfect for sewing this fabric. washing to prevent raveling. • Test your tension on a fabric scrap before starting • Wash the fabric in cold water either on gentle or on on your project, as tension issues will be very apparent the rinse and spin cycle for your machine. in this fabric’s drape. • Shake out wrinkles before Line drying, or tumble dry • You may choose to serge or zig zag to finish edges. low according to the manufacturers instructions. French seams and flat felled seams are another option. • Pin more than you think you will need, the fabric is very slippery and it can shift very easily. Cutting • It is not necessary but a walking foot is helpful as it • Iron fabric before cutting. moves the fabric for you making sewing a breeze. • To make sure your fabric is on grain, you can pull • Use a slightly shorter stitch length than normal. a thread and cut along it, then you will have a straight • It is better to use a lightweight woven or non woven line perpendicular to your selvage. interfacing instead of fusible interfacing on rayon. If • Pattern weights will help hold your fabric steady as you still want to use fusible, use pinking shears to cut you pin and cut the fabric. the outer edge of the interfacing and fuse to the wrong • Before you cut, mark the right side of the fabric side of facing. The pinking creates more of a transitional below each piece. Batik fabrics right and wrong side can edge from interfacing to fabric. be difficult to discern once cut. You can mark the fabrics with a pin, a piece of paper pinned to the fabric, or just a piece of painter’s tape. Finishing Edges • Serging your hem before turning it will make hemming easier. If you do not have a serger you can Ironing also baste a line of stitching on the outer fold line for a • Batik presses and creases beautifully, however it can guide when turning. hold a mistaken press easily as well, so take care when • Tips for curved hems: Serge or baste as noted pressing. above. For the best result, fold and hand baste serged • After sewing seams, press seam flat on WS first. edge 1/4” to wrong side. Press so that the curved folded This helps embed the thread into the fabric along the edge is smooth. Fold 1/4” again to wrong side and seam. Then press the seam open. You will be surprised hand baste again and press. Then stitch close to the at how much better your seams will look. folded edge. The pressing and hand basting will make a smooth curved hem without puckers.

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