tips for sewing lightweight fabric?

A friend of mine is needing some lightweight summer scarfs.  Although the scarfs should be easy enough to sew, I know that lightweight fabric does crazy things like suck down into the feed dogs, and well.. other things I am sure!  Any tips for sewing with fabric that is light weight?  I am used to sewing with quilting cottons.

Thanks!

Sometimes I use a layer of gift wrap tissue underneath. It's pretty easy to tear away after sewing.

Can I ask what exactly you'll be sewing with the lightweight fabric? You mentioned scarves so I'm trying to picture what you'll be doing. A scarf can be a simple rectangle of fabric with just the edges finished... is this along the lines of what you'll be sewing? Or something more involved?



~MG

This can make a big difference. It's a pain picking out the little peices, but sometimes it's the only way.

If you have tension issues when sewing two peices together, a walking foot can be helpful.

I'll just be sewing a simple square scarf with finished edges on a regular machine (not a serger).  I always find that my machine sucks lightweight fabrics down into the feeddogs, so mostly wondering if there is anything to help with that.  I am thinking the tissue should help with that though?

Thanks!

Don't start at a corner!

If you are turning twice and stitching, you might want to press with an iron and a little starch first.

Start stitching in the middle of a side and then pivot when you get to the corner.

If necessary, use an awl or a large needle to help hold the material at the corner so it doesn't get sucked down into the feed dogs.

I have always had good luck when stitching lightweight fabrics by placing a layer of tissue paper under the fabric (against the feed dogs).  I also have a walking foot, but never really saw much of a difference there.

Don't start at a corner!

Hope this helps!  And if you are frustrated and need a laugh to cheer you up, check out the post on my site today:   

http://www.learnhowtosewnow.com/sewing-humor-and-more