Beautifully fluid, drapey, featherweight fabric feels lovely to wear, but it can take some practice to get used to sewing with it. Here are some tips for tackling projects that call for lightweight, slippery fabric, like the Cascades Top.
With a bit of practice, you'll be able to handle tricky fabric like silk, chiffon, or featherweight voile and sew garments with beautiful flow and drape.
🌿 Choose the right needle - A fine needle, like a 70/10 universal, is a good choice for lightweight fabric. Or, try a Microtex needle, which will be extra precise and works well for sewing silk and synthetic fabrics. Be sure to start with a fresh needle for best results!
🌿 Slow down - Sewing slowly will give you more control over the fabric. Don't be afraid to stop regularly, with the needle down, and readjust the fabric to avoid shifting or puckering.
🌿 Use a walking foot - While it's not necessary, a walking foot can help to feed multiple layers of slippery, shifty fabrics through the sewing machine more evenly.
🌿 Be careful when pinning - Depending on your fabric, pins may leave holes or damage fine fabric. If in doubt, test on a scrap of fabric first. If regular pins leave a mark, try extra-fine silk pins, or opt for clips instead.
🌿 Use a short stitch length - When sewing lightweight fabrics, a shorter stitch length (around 2mm) gives a neater and more delicate finish and helps to avoid puckering.
🌿 Practice first - Test on a scrap of your fabric before stitching your garment, especially if it's a type of fabric that you haven't used before. This is your chance to get a feel for handling the fabric and perhaps adjust your sewing machine tension without having to pick out stitches. 
With these tips, and a little bit of practice, you'll be able to sew a lovely, floaty, light-as-air Cascades Top.
Read more Twig + Tale sewing tips here:
