Are you ready to branch out beyond sewing with quilting cotton? Last week Jaime shared the details on Sewing with Knit Fabric and today Jessica from Sew Homegrown is here to share the basics of Sewing with Rayon. With designers like Amy Butler launching rayon collections, it’s so tempting to jump into sewing with this gorgeous draping fabric. With just a few basic skills you can sew lovely items in rayon like Jessica’s Anthro-Inspired Headband(above), our Sleep Shorts or the Baby Peasant Blouse or Long Sleeve Peasant Dress. And not to leave out the mamas, how about the Freestyle Hot Mess Mommy Dress or Jessica’s recent Simple Cardi? Read on to get the scoop on Sewing with Rayon and see more rayon-friendly projects to get you started!
Peasant Blouse
Sleep Shorts
Freestyle Hot Mess Mommy Dress
You can sew rayon using a universal needle (the one that came on your machine), but you will find it easier to use an extra sharp ball point needle – a 75/11 or 80/11.
It is best to use a polyester thread or a poly blend. Poly is similar to rayon and so it works better with it than cotton thread does.
Next let’s talk about care:
okay so I never wash my fabrics first – I am way too impatient for that – BUT with rayon it is a very important thing to do. Rayon is very prone to shrinking and since you are likely making clothing you don’t want those adorable p.j.’s you just spent 3 hrs sewing to shrink up. You can wash it with like colors on cold or warm and tumble dry low. Use an iron on the wrong side on low and test it in a small corner first – you also don’t want to fry those p.j.’s with the iron.
So here’s another thing you’ll have to do – finish the raw edges of your seams.
Good tips. My struggle with rayon is on the cutting table. Any tips for keeping things in place on the cutting table while cutting out your pattern?
I just sewed a rayon dress. It wasn’t till afterward that I realized that I didn’t do enough research. Because it is so slippery, the best and cheapest way to make it easier to cut the rayon, is to sandwich in between two layers of tissue paper. Hope this helps!
How did I not think of rayon headbands before?!? And LOVE the freestyle dress. Totally my style. I'm pumped to sew some rayon now, lol.
Thank you I think. I have not branched out much into different types of fabrics, but I just ordered 4 yards of rayon. I will be rereading this post when my fabric is delivered!
What I have read about cutting on slippery fabrics, is to lay a bed sheet down first, then a single layer of your rayon, pattern piece is cut one layer at a time.
The bed sheet keeps the fabric in place so that you are able to cut.
Belinda – I would simply suggest lots and lots of weights. Lay your fabric on the table then place staplers/pincushions/books whatever to hold it in place. Sometimes I cut it on a hardwood floor, but I know that's not a very practical solution. Good luck!
Hi Jessica,
I just found your site and you have great instructions but the only question I have is when you use the french fuse interface do you just place it on the edge? or on the whole fabric piece?
thank you
Thanks so much for writing about Rayon!I have purchased tons of fabric for projects but they keep getting ruined…after reading your webpage I know what I am doing wrong…thanks again. 🙂
I have myself prepared to making a rayon sundress. Thanks so much for your tips. However, I would be interested in any tips for sewing a zipper on rayon fabric. Your site has the best tips I have found!
These are some great tips, and I like that you make it fun 🙂
Recently returned from Hawaii, purchased some beautiful rayon tropical fabric squares (8″ each) and I’m thinking of making a quilt. There are 100-300 pieces and many are matching. I will launder them first, use a new 75/11 ball point needle, and polyester thread. Any other suggestions? What would be a backing? Do I stay with rayon for the backing? Thank you. Susan
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I’m hemming a dress. And it’s impossible!! The tension is freaking me out! There’s no in between. I’ve tried on sample pieces, but when I put the dress in there, it bubbles and bunches and loops. I don’t know what to do! Should I try and put a piece of interfacing in it??
Hi Jessica this is the first time I have worked with rayon glad I read about it first making a night gown my needles are the wrong size and i would not have washed it first
This is fantastic, I am sure the fabric exchange has so many choices of fabric for this kind of project.
Spray starch your rayon before you cut! Huge help!
Thank you for your positive initiation to rayon. All other articles I read before this (on other sites) made rayon sound like the devil to work with. But yours was reassuring and insightful.