the_diana•1mo ago

Hot take: Forgetting to test stretch fabric on the bias first is a HUGE mistake

I just wrecked a whole dress because the fabric stretched WAY more than I thought it would.

4 comments

4 Comments

stone.claire1mo ago

Silk charmeuse is notorious for bias stretch.

aliceharris1mo ago

Have you ever tried to sew a straight line with that fabric? It's so true, the bias stretch is unreal. I remember making a top that ended up lopsided after washing. The neckline stretched out way more than I expected. Now I avoid using it for fitted pieces unless I'm ready for the hassle.

tyler_young1mo ago

Watch your carefully sewn dress become a shapeless blob overnight. I thought I could eyeball the bias stretch, but nope, it had other plans. Now I have a new baggy tunic, I guess. How do you even test for this without wasting fabric?

the_julia1mo ago

That's such a gut punch, ruining a whole dress. @stone.claire is totally right about silk charmeuse, but even some knits can do this. I cut a skirt once that grew a good three inches just hanging on the dress form before I even sewed it. Now I always cut a small square, mark lines, and give it a good tug in every direction. It feels like a waste of time until it saves a project.