Burlesque Womens Institute

Innocent Twist · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 323 Location: Worthing

Please help! I've bought some sinamay fabric thinking I could cut it into strips and make curls with it but the weave is all wonky and I can't seem to cut it straight. Also how do I stop the edges fraying. Have I bought the wrong stuff? Perhaps sinamay ribbon would have been better?

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"I'm sick but I'm pretty, baby." Alanis 'miserable wotsit' Morisette.

Anna Fur Laxis · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 314

Are you cutting it on the bias? That's the easiest way to make curls x
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Innocent Twist · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 323 Location: Worthing

I'm sorry Anna I'm really dim but what does, 'on the bias,'mean?
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"I'm sick but I'm pretty, baby." Alanis 'miserable wotsit' Morisette.

Dorothy · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 596 Location: London

if you look at the sinamay it has the weave going across horizontally and vertically.To cut on the bias you cut at an angle or diagonal.This gives you the ability to stretch the material.
here is a not very good diagram, with the arrow the direction if bias and the red bit a strip of material to cut on the bias, the grid is supposed to represent the sinamay.Hope it makes sense!

to stop edges fraying you can sew a little hem or make an edge/hem by rolling it and securing with a few stitches....
do you have a good pair of scissors? always helps me when cutting...
and you are not dim....
xxxx
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Innocent Twist · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 323 Location: Worthing

Thanks Dorothy. I shall now proceed with confidence. I'll put up some piccies when I'm done.x

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"I'm sick but I'm pretty, baby." Alanis 'miserable wotsit' Morisette.