Lesson 1Quality checks during making: testing seams for slip, lining up right, and balancing the final garmentThis part sets out quality checks all through making silk items. You'll check seam strength, measure for evenness, check how the fabric hangs, and look at pressing to make sure the final garment hangs nicely and holds up to everyday use.
Checking seam strength and slippageVerifying alignment and pattern matchingAssessing garment balance on a formInspecting pressing and edge finishesFinal trimming, threads, and lint removalLesson 2Special stitches and strengthening: stay-stitching, stay tape, bar tacks, and small hems for scarves and blousesYou'll learn special stitches and ways to strengthen weak spots in silk. This part covers stay-stitching, stay tape, bar tacks, and small hems, with tips on where to put them for necklines, armholes, fastenings, scarves, and light blouses.
Stay-stitching necklines and armholesApplying stay tape to bias edgesBar tacks at closures and stress pointsTiny hems for scarves and ruffled edgesReinforcing buttonholes on fine silkLesson 3Cutting silk: grainline, nap, layout to cut waste and twistingThis part is about cutting silk right to keep its flow and fit. You'll study grainline and nap, ways to lay out patterns to cut waste, single or double layer cutting, and tricks to stop twisting when marking patterns.
Aligning silk accurately to true grainManaging nap and directional printsSingle-layer layouts for tricky silksUsing weights and rulers to control shiftTransferring markings without damageLesson 4Edge finishes for different silks: rolled hem, narrow hem, serged edge, Hong Kong binding and hand-rolled hemsYou'll look at edge finishes for different silk types and styles. This part compares rolled and narrow hems, serged edges, Hong Kong binding, and hand-rolled hems, with advice on which to use for clothes and extras.
Machine narrow hems on lightweight silkRolled hem feet and settingsHand-rolled hems for scarves and tiesSerged edges and differential feed setupHong Kong binding on unlined silk seamsLesson 5Seam choices and space: French seams, narrow rolled hem, flat-felled for strength and looksThis part looks at seam types and space that fit silk clothes. You'll compare French seams, fake French seams, flat-felled seams, and narrow seams, learning how to pick space that balances strength, thickness, and see-through.
Planning seam allowances for French seamsSewing true and mock French seamsFlat-felled seams on medium-weight silkNarrow seams for sheer and chiffon silkManaging bulk at intersections and curvesLesson 6Handling slippery light silks: steadying ways, weights, tissue paper, and clipsHere you'll learn to handle slippery light silks when cutting and sewing. We cover steadying the fabric, using tissue and gel mats, weights not pins, clips, and habits to stop twisting, catches, and stretching.
Comparing weights, pins, and clips on silkUsing tissue paper under and over silkStabilizing silk with temporary spraysSafe handling to avoid stretching biasStack cutting versus single-layer cuttingLesson 7Interfacing and support: light stick-on choices, woven vs nonwoven, and putting on for silkHere you'll study interfacing and support that keep silk's flow. We compare light stick-on and sew-in types, woven vs nonwoven, grain way, and careful putting on to avoid bubbles, hardness, and showing through.
Choosing weight and type of interfacingWoven versus nonwoven for silk areasGrain direction in interfacing piecesTest-fusing to prevent bubblingSelective support for collars and placketsLesson 8Tools and workspace: scissors, rotary cutters, mats and lights for silkThis part tells how to set up and arrange a workspace for silk. You'll compare scissors and rotary cutters, pick good cutting mats, plan easy layout, and choose lights that show silk grain, faults, and colour changes.
Selecting fine shears for lightweight silkUsing rotary cutters and fresh bladesChoosing and maintaining cutting matsLighting placement to reveal silk grainOrganizing a lint-free silk work areaLesson 9Needles, threads, machine settings: needle type/size (sharp vs microtex), thread choices (silk, polyester), tension and stitch lengthHere you'll learn to pick needles, threads, and machine settings for silk. It covers sharp and Microtex needles, silk and polyester threads, tension balance, stitch length, and test sewing to stop puckering and missed stitches.
Selecting needle type and size for silkChoosing silk versus polyester threadBalancing upper and bobbin tensionOptimizing stitch length for fine seamsTest samples to diagnose stitch issuesLesson 10Pressing and shaping while making: iron heat, pressing cloth, steam, avoiding shine marksThis part explains safe pressing of silk while shaping seams and bits. You'll set iron heat, pick pressing cloths, handle steam and wet, and use tools like hams and seam rolls to avoid shine, water marks, and dents.
Setting safe iron temperatures for silkChoosing and using pressing clothsSteam, moisture, and avoiding water spotsUsing hams and seam rolls for shapingPreventing shine and seam impressions
