Viscose, also known as rayon, is a popular fabric for sewing due to its softness and drape. However, working with viscose can be a bit challenging if you are not familiar with its properties. To help you achieve great results when sewing with viscose, here are some essential tips to follow.
1. Preparing Your Fabric
Before you start sewing, it’s essential to prewash your viscose fabric to eliminate any shrinkage that may occur later. Viscose has a tendency to shrink when exposed to water, so it’s necessary to handle this before cutting your pattern pieces.
2. Cutting and Handling
Due to its smooth and slippery nature, cutting viscose can be a challenge. To make the process easier, use sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter to ensure clean edges. Additionally, it’s helpful to stabilize the fabric while cutting by using pattern weights or pins to prevent shifting.
3. Choosing the Right Needles and Threads
Viscose is a delicate fabric, so it’s important to use the appropriate needles and threads. Opt for fine, sharp needles with a smaller gauge to avoid leaving visible holes. When it comes to threads, select a lightweight option, such as polyester or silk threads, to complement the fabric’s lightweight nature.
4. Seam Finishing
To keep your viscose garments from fraying, it’s crucial to finish your seams properly. French seams and narrow hems are excellent options for achieving clean and professional-looking finishes. Alternatively, you can use an overlocker/serger or a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying.
5. Pressing with Caution
When it comes to pressing viscose, it’s crucial to be cautious. Always use a low to medium heat setting on your iron and test on a scrap piece of fabric before ironing your garment. Additionally, place a pressing cloth or a clean cotton fabric between the iron and the viscose to avoid any potential damage.
6. Handling Wrinkles and Creases
Viscose has a tendency to wrinkle and crease, especially when worn or stored for extended periods. To remove wrinkles, steam your garment with a handheld steamer or hang it in a steamy bathroom. Alternatively, you can use a cool iron with a pressing cloth to gently smooth out the fabric.
7. Washing and Care Instructions
To extend the life of your viscose garments, always follow the recommended washing and care instructions. Viscose is generally best hand washed or machine washed on a delicate cycle with mild detergent. Avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach, as they can damage the fabric.
- Always wash viscose garments separately to prevent color bleeding
- Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric while wet
- Dry viscose garments flat to maintain their shape
By following these tips, you can confidently sew and care for viscose fabric, ensuring beautiful and long-lasting creations. Enjoy your sewing journey with this versatile and luxurious material!
Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if you encounter initial challenges when working with viscose.
