by Shannon Gifford
Silk Mesh Knits
Soft, luxurious, and with a wonderful drape…these knits are of the finest quality. You'll love the way this fabric feels! Silk mesh knits are similar in appearance to a very, very fine sweater knit, but with a more luxurious drape. These knits come in beautiful prints, suitable for your favorite sewing projects.
Hand wash in cool water with a drop of baby shampoo. Allow to dry flat. Tread the finished garment as you would treat your finest sweaters.
Use the smallest machine needle you can see to thread; a size 9, 10, or 11 jersey (ballpoint) needle is recommended. Silk thread, cotton embroidery thread, or cotton/covered polyester threads are best for this fabric.
No fusibles…the fabric is too delicate. Use a layer of flesh-colored swimwear lining, tricot, or synthetic mesh knit for those areas requiring support.
If you have a serger, use a 3-thread balanced stitch for seams. For a standard machine, use a small zigzag stitch, 2.0 width and 2.0 length, for construction. Seams can be finished with binding made from tricot knit. For hems, use a knit binding, ribbing, or hand-stitch your hems in place. Bind the hem edge with tricot knit binding.
Keep it simple, with minimal seams. Tees, tanks, cardigans, and sweater-like garments are the best choices for this fabric. Draped necklines, such as cowls, and wrapped front designs are excellent choices.
Add a touch of lace or trim to the neckline, cuffs, and hem. Tiny glass beads, silk ribbons, and baby-fine piping will all be excellent additions to this fabric. Keep any added trim of a similar weight to the fabric for best results.
Avoid using high heat when pressing your seams. Use steam, hovering the iron over the fabric, and protect the fabric with a press cloth. Always allow the fabric to cool before moving it after steaming.