For a few months now, we have been offering you cotton satins and it seemed important to us to introduce you to this beautiful material.
It must be said that cotton satin has several advantages, including being easy to sew!
Here is a material that even sewing beginners can work with pleasure for a top result!
So, want to know more?
This way!
What is satin and more specifically cotton satin?
- one side is smooth and uniform, often shiny
- the other side is matte.
On one side, the weft threads are predominant; on the other, the warp threads.
So you will have understood that cotton satin is a fabric made from cotton threads and woven in satin weave, QED!
History of satin
The history of satin is very old.
Originating from China, satin was initially a fabric created for and worn by everyone. It first developed in Asia before reaching Europe around the 12th century. It was the Italians who brought this Asian weaving technique to market satin in Europe. The Italians took advantage of the luxurious and shiny appearance of satin to make it a premium textile. From then on, satin became a luxury fabric reserved for the upper class.
Since then, and despite a much more affordable price today, satin remains in our minds a luxury fabric!
Of course, it will also depend on the type of textile fibers used: a silk satin will always be more expensive than a cotton satin, which is much more affordable.
Advantages and disadvantages of cotton satin
Its advantages and points of attention largely come from its weaving!
First of all, it is a fabric that looks luxurious thanks to its smooth and slightly shiny surface. Its silky side gives it an impression of luxury.
Another quality: cotton satin is very supple, making it a good alternative for sewists who hesitate to sew viscose because of its excessive fluidity.
Finally, cotton satin has softness and many benefits for your skin and hair.
It is gladly made into a pillowcase, with breathable qualities since it is cotton!
As a point of attention, note that due to its weave, cotton satin is more delicate than its counterpart, canvas weave! It will fray more easily; so be sure to use a zigzag stitch, overlock, or even French seams!
Cotton satin for which creations?
Cotton satin also has the advantage of being an all-season fabric!
Indeed, it can be used to make a long-sleeve blouse for winter under a jacket, but also a light, flowing dress or skirt for summer! Dresses, skirts, or blouses will have a fluid drape for an elegant and feminine style.
It is even possible to make a wedding dress or a bridal party dress in cotton satin!
The cotton satin can also be used for lingerie creations, including nightgowns, robes, lingerie pieces... but also for bedding: for our sheets and pillowcases!
In the workshop, we also really like to use it for making coat and jacket linings. It then serves as a good alternative to acetate linings, and in addition, cotton satin offers a lovely range of colors and patterns!
How to sew it?
Cotton satin is a bit more slippery than cotton poplin, but much less than viscose. It is therefore accessible to beginner sewists looking for a challenge or to intermediate to advanced sewists.
First step, as always, wash your cotton satin coupon to prevent any future shrinkage. Wash it at 30°, on a delicate cycle. Remove it from the machine as soon as the cycle ends to smooth out wrinkles. Once dry, iron your fabric well before cutting, at a medium temperature.
Cotton satin slips very little when cutting, so you will have no trouble cutting your pattern pieces.
Choose fine headless pins to avoid damaging your fabric while pinning.
Choose a good polyester thread for your sewing.
To sew cotton satin, we recommend fine universal needles or microtex needles. It's best to use a new needle when you start your cotton satin project.
Don't forget to overlock your seams to ensure the longevity of your sewing project.
So, ready to sew wonders with cotton satin?
Ready, set, sew!
