This informative 20-part series demystifies the form and functionality of luxurious silk.
Expert Katrina Walker covers the gamut from silkworm to crafting beautiful silk garments as she explores some of the many types of silk fabric and their unique characteristics. Discover the various processes used for creating silk textiles and how those processes affect the fabrics’ qualities.
Learn how to select and test your fabric to ensure that it meets expectations of drape and functionality for your design.
Katrina shows how to stabilize the fabric for ease of sewing and highlights the best threads and needles to use with silk. She demonstrates how to stitch smooth, precise seams and how to choose and sew the right seam type for your garment. Plus, you’ll find out how to care for a range of silk textiles.
Learn how to select and test your fabric to ensure that it meets expectations of drape and functionality for your design.
Katrina shows how to stabilize the fabric for ease of sewing and highlights the best threads and needles to use with silk. She demonstrates how to stitch smooth, precise seams and how to choose and sew the right seam type for your garment. Plus, you’ll find out how to care for a range of silk textiles.
The lessons included in this course are also available at ThreadsMagazine for those with an Insider membership.Â
Chapter 1 - Understanding Silk Textiles
Learn the history of silk, including the domestication, breeding, and cultivation of the Bombyx mori moth. Find out how these methods contribute to the color and feel of silk fiber as Katrina demonstrates the processing of silk from cocoon to spun thread.
Chapter 2 - Fundamentals of Silk Fabrics
Explore an array of woven silks from broadcloth, taffeta, and dupioni to georgette, satin, jacquard, and more. You will learn how the value of silk is measured and how various yarns and weaves affect the sheen, the feel, and the sewing application of the fabric.
Chapter 3 - Pairing Silk with Garment Design
Learn some of Katrina’s best tips for testing the drape, wrinkle, ease, and pressing performance of your fabric. She shows you how these characteristics impact your design and how to avoid seam imprint, shine, and other elements that must be addressed in constructing your garment.
Chapter 4 - Preparing to Sew
Explore options for handling silk in preparation for sewing.  Katrina highlights best practices and the effects of washing on various silks. She offers tips for stabilizing fabric for ease of handling and shares tools to make  cutting and sewing silk easy.
Chapter 5 – Seam Techniques
Gain knowledge as Katrina offers techniques for sewing effectively with smooth and lightweight silk fabrics. She demonstrates seams that reduce slippage and protect against fraying for a clean look and durable finish.
Chapter 6 – Hem Techniques
Master Katrina’s hem techniques as she demonstrates bound and faced hems that protect raw edges, allow for length adjustment, add weight to the hem and offer a beautiful finish. She also demonstrates flat and faux rolled hems that work best with chiffons and lighter weight silks.
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Meet the Instructor
Katrina Walker is a sewing industry professional known for her textile expertise. She has a special love of working with natural fibers such as silk and wool. Katrina is a sewing designer, a national educator, a brand ambassador for Pfaff sewing machines, and a Sulky Sewcialite. She frequently contributes to Threads magazine and teaches at national sewing shows and online. Keep up with her projects at KatrinaWalker.com.
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