Sewing with Tulle: Tips and Tricks
Party decorations, ballerina tutus, bridal gowns and little girls’ play dresses might be the first things that come to mind when you mention tulle. Tulle is a great fabric with many applications, made in a multitude of colors, with or without glitter, matte or shiny finishes. There is a combination out there to cover your most poufy project aspirations!
Fabric Characteristics of Tulle
- Does not fray
- More stretch in the width of fabric than the length
- Made from silk, nylon, polyester or rayon
Care and Use of Tulle
- Hand wash if possible.
- It can be washed in the washing machine—wash inside out in a laundry bag (test first).
- Use a delicate cycle, cold water, low spin.
- Lay flat to dry or hang dry.
- Use a steamer or iron on the lowest temperature with a press cloth to get out stubborn wrinkles.
- The best way to store your tulle garment is to hang, but watch the use of clips to prevent creases or wrinkles. Place the item in a cotton garment bag.
Recommended BERNINA Presser Feet for Sewing with Tulle
BERNINA Jeans Foot #8/8D
- For best results, use Jeans Foot #8, or Jeans Foot #8D if you have a machine with Dual Feed.
- The single hole in the Jeans Foot #8/8D Foot helps prevent your fabric from being pulled into the stitch plate.
Tips for Sewing with Tulle
- Use a Straight Stitch Plate.
- Adjust Stitch Length from 3-5.
- Presser Foot Pressure: Start with lowering your pressure by 10-15, depending on the number of layers, and adjust after test sewing for the desired look.
- Use Universal or Sharp needle size 60-80/12.
- Use cotton thread to help with static build-up.
- Stitch slowly to prevent puckering or gathering.
- Stitch on bias tape or use a lightweight stabilizer to prevent the tulle from being pulled into machine if necessary.
- Use pattern weights to help with cutting from a pattern.
- To help with static from the tulle, lightly spritz with water or even use an anti-static spray.
In summary, tulle may look intimidating to sew but with the right tools and techniques, you can make any project a colorful success. So head on out to your local sewing spot to gather some tulle and make a poufy skirt to bounce around in!
