Sewing with Liberty Belgravia Silk: Tips, Tricks & a Little Bit of Magic ✨
Liberty Fabrics Belgravia Silk is one of the dreamiest fabrics out there - fluid, glossy, and oh-so-luxurious. But with all that slippery splendour, it can feel a little nerve-racking to sew if you're not used to working with silk. Don’t panic - we’ve gathered our favourite tips to help you tame this glorious fabric and get stitching with confidence.
Tips for Cutting Silk
Let’s be honest – cutting silk is like trying to pin down a cloud. But it’s not impossible, we promise!
Rotary cutter to the rescue: A rotary cutter is your best friend for cutting silk cleanly. It keeps things steady and reduces the fabric shift.
Sharp scissors only, please: If scissors are your go-to, make sure they’re freshly sharpened. A blunt blade can snag your silk and break hearts.
Pattern weights > pins: Swap pins for pattern weights to keep things in place. No need for anything fancy – tins, coasters, mugs... anything with weight will do the trick.
Single layer only: Cut silk as a single layer rather than on the fold. It takes longer, but trust us – the accuracy is worth the extra time.
Which Needles and Pins should you use for Sewing Silk?
The right tools make all the difference.
Use a Sharps needle (size 60 or 70) - also known as Microtex or Microtip - designed specifically for tightly woven fabrics like silk.
Always use a new needle - a blunt one can cause pulls or ladders in the fabric. No thank you!
We loved using these Skinny Black Pins from Sewply – they’re extra fine, super sharp and have a soft enamel coating that grips silk beautifully without leaving marks.
Clips are okay for small areas, but they can be a bit too heavy for large swathes of silk.
Tips for Stitching Silk
Every machine is different, but here’s what worked for us:
Adjust your stitch length - we found 2–3mm was perfect.
Reduce your presser foot pressure to avoid puckering (on the Bernina 335, we set it to 1).
Got a walking foot? Now’s its moment to shine - it helps feed silk evenly.
Apply a little hand tension as you sew by gently pulling front and back - like guiding a delicate ribbon.
Avoid using the reverse stitch to secure threads (it can gobble up your fabric). Instead, knot your threads at the start and end.
Tips for Pressing Silk
Silk doesn’t love a heavy hand, so gentle is the way forward.
- The main rule when pressing silk is to only press it one way, with the grain of the silk. Never iron backwards and forwards as this can stretch and warp the fibres beyond repair.
- Always test the temperature of your iron on a scrap of silk. Use a lower temperature setting and go slowly - less is more when pressing silk.
- Use a pressing cloth, a bit of calico will do.
- Be careful with your steam setting too as steam can sometimes damage the silk.
Tips for Finishing and Hemming Silk
Silk frays like nobody’s business - so finishing your seams is key.
- This silk frays so finishing your seams well is really important. French seams are always the best option for sewing silk as the seams are hidden and they give a lovely neat finish.
- Overlocking seams is a good option too, but consider reducing to 3 threads to reduce any bulk. Always use new, sharp needles or you risk damaging the silk!
- Fine silk like this calls for a delicate hem like a baby hem or a rolled hem. The benefit of the baby hem is that it also adds a bit of weight to the silk.
Feeling ready to sew Belgravia? We hope these tips have demystified the process. It’s a stunning fabric to work with, and with a little care, your project will be every bit as special as the silk itself.
Got your own tried-and-tested silk sewing hacks? Let us know - we’d love to share them with the Clothkits community!