stillclock

hi!

i was just gifted a gorgeous fat quarter pack of dupioni silks.

has anyone tried to do something like a mariner's compass with it?

what do you think?

aileen

NJ Quilter

I think it would look stunning. Slippery as all get out, but stunning nonetheless.

patchy-at-best

I used to be a professional dressmaker (bridal) and LOVED working with dupioni silk. Slippery wasn't an issue as much as the fraying. A foundation pieced Mariners Compass would be lovely, but watch you don't trim your seam allowances back too far. Personally I would choose to use a foundation that isn't removed. Also, keep your hands and work area scrupulously clean as every little mark seems to appear out of nowhere. Last thing, try hard not to pin outside seam allowances. Good luck and please share the results!!

ckcowl

I made a wonderful quilt for one of my sister in laws with dupioni silks a few years ago, dupioni really isn't too difficult to work with and quilts beautifully. You need a good, lightweight fusible interfacing and a New Sharp blade in your rotary cutter. I good, new, sharp needle in your machine and fine,sharp silk pins. Fuse the interfacing to the silks before cutting and seriously the new sharp blade is probably the most important thing.

stillclock

that is what i was thinking (all your advice) and just what i wanted to hear!

i have used it in dressmaking too, but i was thinking about those points. i couldn't see why not but i am so glad i asked!

yeah! thanks!

(but first the others. this just has to wait a bit. right? right. uh-huh......)

aileen

susanlh

I just watched the guest quilter on the Quilt Show. He was demonstrating the use of different fabrics in quilts. He said that he stabilizes the back silks and other slipper fabrics with interfacing. Showed several quilts and they were beautiful. Good luck.