Video Tip: Straightening the Grain On Fluid Fabrics

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Straightening the Grain On Fluid Fabrics

Before cutting, the crossgrain and the lengthwise grain need to be ruler straight

with Sarah Veblen


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Aligning the horizontal selvedge is an easy and almost automatic process for most sewers, but getting the crossgrain fabric straight on silk, rayon and satin can be tricky. While working on one end, the other end too easily slides about becoming misaligned. Even finding the true crossgrain on some fabrics requires an extra step or two.

Sarah Veblen, Maryland sewing instructor, fashion designer and author, cautions that it may take 10 to 15 minutes of preparation before you can begin to pin up your pattern. In this video she demonstrates the process and her favorite method of finding the true cross grain.