Ultimate Guide To Sewing With Rayon/Viscose Fabric: 8 Different Types of Viscose & How To Sew Them

This guide explains the main types of rayon/viscose fabrics that are available, highlighting their unique differences & qualities - and how they can best be used to give you incredible sewing results. Whether you're curious about how to handle this lightweight, drapey fabric or looking for tips on which types work best for different scenarios, this video has you covered.

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Chapters:
0:00 Different Types of Viscose
0:53 Viscose Poplin
1:52 Viscose Lawn
2:07 Viscose Challis
3:02 Viscose Crepe
4:15 Viscose Twill
5:06 Viscose Satin
6:06 EcoVero Certified
6:43 Viscose Blends
7:21 How To Sew With Viscose
7:35 Preparing Viscose
8:09 Folding & Matching
9:10 Sewing Pattern Prep
10:38 Interfacing
11:09 Sewing Needles
12:03 Seam Finishing
14:36 Hemming Tip
15:13 Secret Make Reveal

#sewing #sewingtutorial #diyfashion

[Maga-Muffin.]

I took sewing when I was in Jr. High and High School. My teacher, Ms. Erickson, told us to use a ball point needle when sewing with knit or rayon so as not to snag the fabric. I am 65 years old and have never forgotten that tip. It has always served me well!

[brendawyber]

Love the videos. Another thing to remember is to “finish” the ends of your fabric before washing for the first time. I have omitted this step, and the fraying can end up pulling the fabric in all directions making matching the selvages “a challenge”🤪

[emmareadshaw]

I would say let a viscose dress hang overnight before hemming; especially if the skirt is on the bias. Thanks for the tips 😊

[debsmadethis]

Thanks Hayley ! The ballpoint needle is a new tip!
Dont be afraid to use a spray starch (I use a home made one )to help stabilize a shifty viscose.
Block fusing small parts like cuffs and collars can make handling these much easier. 😊

[Yorkygirl]

Just sewing with viscose challis now, making a top and matching wide leg trousers, and it's been a challenge! I tried spray starch and it helped a little. On the top I block fused the interfacing and that turned out OK. I did use a microtex needle in the sewing machine and I did notice a tiny snag so I omitted the top stitching around the neck facing as I didn't want to ruin the look. I'll have to try the jersey needle. Cutting the trousers out this morning, I struggled a bit with lining up the grain so I cut the leg pieces separately. And the fraying!! Yes, all seams overlocked. The method in the instructions for the hem of the top was to overlock the edge, press it up and then press again sealing in the overlock edge. It has produced a very neat narrow hem.

[dale]

There are some great tips in your video and from your viewers. Thank you to all who’ve contributed.

[chrissycrompton]

Thanks for those great tips Hayley, especially the ball point needle tip! ❤

[jeaneford]

Thank you, Hayley, this was very helpful. Please can you do a video on all the different types of cotton fabrics? This would be great for those of us who don't live near to a fabric shop.

[lucyhancock]

Really helpful video on the different types, I get quite overwhelmed looking at fabrics online as I don't know what the differences are

[brendawyber]

I ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️the Tilley and the Buttons top it is gorgeous on you👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[lidabard]

Thank you, such a wealth of facts! Rayon, challis, viscose are my favorite fabrics. I use wash away double sided tape in my hems. It secures the fabric for stitching but doesn't make it stiff. Before washing I overlock the cut edges. Stops washer raveling. Plus, if I pull fabric from my stash and it the ends are serged I know it has already been washed.

[KTquiltsandsews]

So informative...thank you Hayley :). I had no idea that there were so many varieties of viscose and you explained them very nicely. xx Karen

[marathorne]

I have sewn a couple of dresses out of viscose in the last year or so, and found it a very challenging fabric. Yes, it's drapey and feels soft to the touch, but for me, constantly fighting with the fabric during the cutting out and sewing up process made it a bittersweet experience that I am not in a hurry to repeat! Personally, I prefer cotton, linen and wool! My favourite fabrics are silky smooth cotton lawns, high quality cotton poplins, gorgeous slubby linens, and soft smooth worsted wools. Just my preference, and I know I'm probably in a minority... I really look forward to future videos you'll hopefully be making about those fibres!

[wendyb]

I’m with you all the way it’s the most fabulous fabric to wear 🥳

[SewMyTime]

Great info and tips Hayley. Using spray starch was a game changer for me not only to stabilise the fabric and prevent it stretching on fiddly areas but also to prevent fraying. I am lazy when it comes to French seams but find overlocking works well for me. Happy Sewing. 😊 Lynne

[retiring_type]

Thank you - such an informative and useful guide to the different kinds of viscose fabric. Ditto for your tips. I'm about to tackle a dress in a viscose crepe, so this is very timely.

[suek]

Thank you for this. I have two gorgeous rayon twill lengths that I’m planning to make dresses from. I had planned to start earlier today but my back said otherwise. Now I’m glad since I needed to hear your tips, first.

[foxeymoore]

Thank you Haley, lots of good information and much appreciated. I must try the ballpoint needles. Your dress is gorgeous in that stunning fabric.🌹🌹🌹

[Sewing_cinderella]

Super informative thank you! I recently used the first one in this vlog for a pattern test and it had a hem facing… never done one before but the finish was incredible! Perfect for this fabric! (And I used a lightweight cotton interfacing which was perfect!)

[sewvintageglamwithunadoyle]

Oh the ball point needle is a good tip, thanks! 🎉