How to Sew Tulle

Tulle is a netted fabric that has many uses both in clothing and in decorating. Tulle can be very useful for helping to create a soft feel and look in both formal clothing styles and in some kinds of occasion decor. Stiffer tulle can also be sewn in layers to give petticoats and skirts a fuller look.

Perhaps the most popular use of tulle is in making bridal veils. The soft, floating appearance of tulle makes it the perfect medium for creating a breathtaking bridal veil. Whatever your purpose, if you are creating with tulle you may need to learn how to sew on tulle. While tulle appears as if it would be difficult to sew on, it is surprisingly simple and straightforward. There are several options for successfully sewing on tulle. Follow these steps.

Things You'll Need

• Tulle fabric
• Sewing machine
• Sewing notions (thread, scissors and pins)
• Narrow ribbon (1/4 inch wide, color matched to tulle)
• Solvy
• Iron
• Press cloth
• Water
• Tissue paper

Instructions

Sew on Tulle Eith Ribbon

1. Align the ribbon along the edge of the tulle. Do not cut the ribbon, and work carefully to sew the ribbon to the tulle. Cut the ribbon off when finished.

2. Place the tulle and the ribbon into the sewing machine and begin to slowly zig-zag stitch over the ribbon and the edge of the tulle to finish the tulle edges.

3. Work slowly and carefully to finish all of the tulle edges. Cut the ribbon off when all of the tulle edges have been finished.

Sew on Tulle With Solvy

1. Cut 1-inch wide strips of Solvy stabilizer. One strip must be placed under the edge of the tulle and another strip placed over the edge of the tulle.

2. Place a press cloth over the Solvy strips and the tulle and carefully iron to fuse the Solvy to the tulle. Work only on small sections of edging at one time.

3. Sew whatever decorative edging you desire onto the tulle after the Solvy edges have been fused together.

4. Blot the Solvy with a damp cloth to dissolve the Solvy from the sewn edges of tulle.

Sew on Tulle With Tissue Paper

1. Cut tissue paper into 1-inch wide strips.

2. Place a strip of tissue paper on the underside of the tulle wherever you must sew a seam. The tissue paper provides support for stitching on the tulle.

3. Tear the tissue paper away from the sewn seam carefully after sewing.

Tips & Warnings

• The raw edges of tulle will not fray, so it is possible to leave these edges completely raw, if desired. Leaving the edges raw will enhance the floating and airy aspects of tulle.

Resources

• Solvy source