Sewing All the Rayon Vlog Part 2: Holyoke, Montrose, Kineton, and Skye

[@sandy_sews]

For those of us who don’t have a dryer, but rather hang washing out on the clothesline, don’t hang your rayon in the sun. It can make them shrink too. Hang in the shade to dry.

[@jenniferandrew3373]

Ooh! Thank you. I dry everything on a rack.

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's such a great tip! Thank you!

[@francesgiacobbe6821]

Generally. I fold my fabrics right sides together..BUT…you have convinced me to change to right sides out because I like how you can mark both insides at the same time. Makes sense to me! Thanks! Very informative video.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I know that it is often taught to fold them right sides together, but I just find it so much easier to see what I"m doing when it's right sides out!

[@debbiebrooks6487]

I also always cut my fabrics with the right side up. I was taught to do it like that many years ago at school. I also was my rayons on a 30 degree wash and tumble dry and them never tumble dry again. 😍

[@TomKatStitchery]

It just makes so much more sense to me to cut with right sides out!

[@annescanapico7168]

This is such a good video and teaching segment. I’m in total agreement with everything you said, I love sewing with rayon bc it does breath and it slips. You are so right about the quality of rayon makes a difference. Joann has the worst rayon but I find great quality in European rayons which one can buy from Stylemaker, Minerva & Beyond the Pink Door. There are others but I can’t remember them. I also use weight & rotary cutter.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I completely agree. The quality makes ALL the difference with rayon!

[@amdelorey]

Thanks Whitney. I always french seam all my rayon garments to keep them in good condition as long as possible.

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's a really great idea!

[@janedrolet2807]

Lol…..I kept saying “Whitney, pattern placement” but I guess you couldn’t hear me.. 😉

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 the multitasking of cutting and filming where clearly too much for me this week 😂.

[@geraldinegorman9597]

Great tips. Thank you. I have never put right side up when cutting, but it makes sense! Going to give that a try.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good!

[@janbrandt3739]

When I have slippery fabric I pin it to tissue paper first then place pattern on it. I’m old and this is how I was taught! Old habits die very very hard! lol. Thanks for all the tips!

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's a good idea!

[@SDIVADesigns]

Thank you so much for telling us about Minerva. I just received my order and it arrived so fast. Shipping to Canada was very reasonable too. I am just in love with the print I ordered and can't wait to make what I'm planning. I think you have a garment with the same fabric hanging behind you in this video -- the blues and reds palm leaves.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes! That is one of the Minerva prints you see! It's such a great print and I have been wearing those pieces a ton! It washes and wears really well!

[@brenholmes4894]

Oh, yes please, a pattern matching tutorial across a button-up shirt tutorial. Economical shopping will be good for me, too! :-)

[@TomKatStitchery]

Ok!

[@bernadetteobrien9296]

Looking forward to your videos on economical sewing. I need your tips on how not to over purchase fabrics. Love the tiger print blouse.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! I'm really excited about that video and series idea!

[@baxter3877]

That dress for you daughter is fantastic! I am sure she felt very confident wearing it as it fits her beautifully.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@katieb1836]

Isn't it pronounced Holy- Oak? Makes me think of Dirty Dancing 😜 Baby was going to Mt. Holyoake in the fall.

[@sandy_sews]

That’s exactly what I thought too 🤣

[@catfieldfarm]

Yes you are correct:)

[@christinawelton9689]

I was born there and yes you are right

[@maggiehawkes1131]

Same! My mind immediately went to Dirty Dancing.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you 😂 that will be easy for me to remember now!

[@eileenroth9868]

Thank you! Lovely dress for your daughter! Beautiful makes!❤️

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@nancynord260]

I was just going to say that the fabric with the palms was the perfect color combination for you, when you said it. Amazing how colors work!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I agree! I had that set on at church yesterday and got multiple compliments from strangers. Color is amazing!

[@Escape10mom]

Great info!! Yes I hang my fabric to ck the grain & a lot of times it is a bit off from where you think it should be! Loving this vlog about Rayons!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I"m so glad you enjoyed it!

[@lizlisle7361]

I saw a fabulous gadget that makes bias binding! All you have to do is cut and join the bias strips. (Lucy from Sew Essential has a demo on KZbin.) I so want one but they are extremely expensive. I was devastated when I saw the price. Christmas is coming though. You make so much bias binding, Whitney. Maybe you could justify the expense.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I saw that! I am VERY tempted to add on to my Christmas list as well!

[@janicek6399]

Happy 19th anniversary!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@ceceliaharris5660]

I always learn something from your videos and today was no exception. I care for my rayon the same way you do but I hadn’t thought to pop it back in the dryer after it has air-dried. That’s a great tip. Also, I have tended to transfer my cut pieces to another flat surface in my room but I can see that just carrying them over could distort them -especially working with filmy Bemberg. So I will roll them from now on. Love your makes!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!

[@sarahgiggles9444]

You mentioned doing a tutorial on pattern matching across a button up shirt. YES PLEASE! I find that so much trickier than just about any other garment because of all the pieces that attach (yoke, placket, collar, etc) and it's hard to decide where it's most pleasing to match vs what should be mirrored and where to let go of the matching. Especially since shirts are often plaids or stripes!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Ok! I can definitely do a tutorial on that!

[@potternana3303]

Oh my goodness this sort of related Walmart has the basic fabrics for dollar a yard the cuts left over from last winter their fall and winter cuts great for the basics at least in my area they have it Philadelphia Happy hunting!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Well, thats a great deal!

[@donnaschindlbeck7457]

Love those Montrose tops Whitney! So darn cute! I didn’t notice if it has a back seam or not. I would probably have to add one to do a swayback adjustment. Thank you for the tips on working with Rayon. I’ve only used it once on the LN Ballad blouse. It was a bit tricky but feels so lovely on. Hope you show us all the outfits you’ve made.

[@TomKatStitchery]

The Montrose doesn't have a center back seam, but you could very easily add one. It also has a back option that has a yoke, which would be very easy to add a seam to the lower back for a sway back adjustment!

[@norakathleenbertoglio4414]

Such cute makes on you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@lynngates1662]

All your rayons are gorgeous! I was looking at the other comments re Holyoke; we have a town in Colorado with that name and I believe people here pronounce it Holy-Oak. I did grab the Love Notions pattern. Didn't even have to think about it this time haha.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! It's a lovely pattern!

[@upcycledcopycat8389]

Do you always lay out your pattern like this on the fabric???? I almost always fold the fabric the width of whatever pattern pieces I'm using, that way the scrap remnant pieces are useable. If it works out and both front and back are in the fold I find both sides into the middle. Yeah it's harder to find the grain and sometimes takes forever moving the fabric small increments but I generally just measure the width with a giant rotary quilting ruler.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It definitely depends on the pattern. I, too, will fold just enough for a piece to be more economical when cutting. Because this fabric was so narrow, I wasn't able to fit both side by side so I just folded it down the middle.

[@kandacek63]

I was holding my breath that the tiger fabric wouldn’t be too horribly off grain. :D Top looks great! Love the makes. :)

[@TomKatStitchery]

It was perfect! I love my new top!!!

[@ladylouise1969]

Happy Belated anniversary!! We just celebrated our 31st on July 23rd! :+)

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you and Happy Anniversary to you!

[@ladylouise1969]

@@TomKatStitchery You are welcome, and Thank you, as well!! :+)

[@judymunroe1617]

Hi Whitney-this was so good-thank you!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@sherrelstroot3034]

Happy Anniversary!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@michellelemesurier3106]

Thank you for all the tips.. luv the Montrose top.. both shirt/shorts look great 😄.. so great for hot summer days you still want to look put together.. looking forward to seeing the Cadence dress... I'm still on the fence on sizing and fabric😬

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you! The Montrose/shorts set is just great. I wore it to church yesterday (and the rest of the day as well) and it felt great even though we are in "stupid heat" time here.

[@michellelemesurier3106]

@@TomKatStitchery such a great idea.. its tough to find something to wear on Sundays when your church doesn't have air conditioning 🥵

[@debbiesnyder762]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I’ve sewed with rayon for years but you taught me some things I didn’t know. Love your fabrics and makes. You are an expert seamstress

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad these were helpful!

[@lorieburtt592]

There’s a town in Massachusetts named Holyoke, and locals there are quite adamant that it is pronounced “whole-yoke” - two syllables, with no emphasis at all on the “y”. I’ve no idea where the designers got the name, however, so I don’t know how it’s pronounced where they got that name. If the pattern name did originate from that Massachusetts town, though, I can say with the complete confidence of a native New Englander, that it is pronounced “whole-yoke” 😂

[@musicmama2864]

Sometimes they say "hoy-oke" too! I had a summer job there and grew up in that county.

[@karenciejek6566]

I grew up in the city next to the city of Holyoke in western Massachusetts and the locals do pronounce it "whole- yoke" . The same pronunciation is used for Mount Holyoke college in South Hadley , Ma.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I think she names all her patterns off of areas in New England (they are based in Boston) so I'm sure that's the correct pronunciation. Thank you!

[@sharonrimsza7960]

It is Holy Oak. But, it would be fun to hear how Google maps pronounces it. 😉 Love the video. I bought the Luna bundle right after midnight last night! I just bought some really soft knit at JoAnn’s for $3 a yard. Lucky me. I did not care what color. The price was right and who is going to see me while I am sleeping? Lovely makes!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Oh good! I can say that the Joann's knit works great for the Luna. I've been sleeping in my new pieces and so far is has washed and worn great!

[@lavadaroufs]

I love rayon - it drapes over my protuberances quite well but harder to sew slipping all over. It is still well worth it. Now, I am changing the subject and asking you a ? Do you buy fabric to make a garment because you NEED the garment OR because you WANT the fabric or the garment it ends up being OR for the joy and satisfaction of sewing. I'm curious because I find myself having too many items in my wardrobe.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'd say it's a mixture of all of the above. There are a few times I'm buying fabric and sewing because there is a piece missing in my wardrobe, but I'd say the biggest driving factor is just that I love to sew. It's vital to my mental health and I can't imagine not doing it!

[@kaygee4691]

Happy anniversary!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@saint-miscreant]

I am a big fan of cutting things out single-layer or at least doing the layout single layer - I think it works better in terms of fabric usage (more efficient use of your yardage, and you can buy less), plus this way you can make adjustments e.g. instead of cutting this on the fold I’ll add a centre seam and piece it. Granted, Tetris-ing your pieces is easier when you don’t need to consider print, but I do think it would be easier to pattern match if you can put all the pieces down at once! But I’m very visual so as always, ymmv and do whatever works for you

[@TomKatStitchery]

You are so right about cutting out single layer. If I have a large scale print I'm trying to match I always lay it out single.

[@lindamcmahon9358]

I love the top you are wearing. Are you sure it is the harmony blouse? It looks like the Vanessa Pouzet Wanted Tee. l had trouble getting my Vanessa Tee to fit me properly and not be skin tight. I think I over compensated and made it too loose and now it doesn’t lay right across the front.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I was wearing the Harmony in the beginning of the video. The square neckline top I'm wearing is the Cashmerette Carlyle Top (it's one of their club patterns). I have made the wanted tee as well and it is VERY fitted. I think the Carlyle is a perfect combination of the beautiful square neck with a looser fit!

[@bcampo11]

Hi Whitney- I’m amazed at how much you get done in a day!! How many hours do you sew in a day?!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I don't sew everyday (but I do sew a bit most days). I'd say I sew an average of 4 hours a day with some days having no sewing and other having the full 8 hours of my work day sewing.

[@elizabethburley7954]

Happy Anniversary!!!!!🥂🍾💝🎉🎊

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@saundrahughes1727]

Happy Anniversary

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!

[@rachellynncreates2703]

Have you tried the mood eco friendly fabrics? I just bought some and I’m excited to try it.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I haven't tried it, but you have me intrigued!

[@cindyw4278]

Can you recommend some brands of rayon that are quality. It's so frustrating when you purchase and pay good money and the quality is not good

[@TomKatStitchery]

I completely agree! In this video I'm using the new Minerva Exclusive line thats really lovely as well as some See You At Six viscose/rayon. My biggest tip is to find some online fabric shops you love. I find that the quality from my favorite shops is always great. StyleMaker and Blackbird Fabrics both have really great rayon/viscoses.

[@lorieburtt592]

I do so wish that I could make the switch to pattern weights and rotary cutter, because I completely agree that it would avoid the distortion that happens when fabric is lifted even slightly to cut with shears. I have only used my rotary cutters for cutting straight edges using a ruler, and I just don’t trust myself freehand cutting. Perhaps I should just suck it up, stop being a whiner, and start practicing.

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂 It can be scary to try new things, especially when that new thing can cut you!

[@SconesAndTea]

What brand rotary wheel do you use?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I use Olfa.

[@SconesAndTea]

@@TomKatStitchery Thank you!

[@crazyforNarnia1]

Rayon was actually first made in the late 19th Century.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Ok! Thank you so much!

[@crazyforNarnia1]

@@TomKatStitchery you're welcome! There's a great book called "The Golden Thread" by Kassia St. Clair that walks through the development of various fabrics, including rayon.

[@TomKatStitchery]

@@crazyforNarnia1 ooh! That sounds amazing! I’ll have to add that book to my Christmas list as it sounds like it would be a great addition to my library!

[@PeachHoneyLove]

I was opening up and bag of fabric and my best friend asked if it was a bag of cocaine 🤣

[@TomKatStitchery]

😂😂😂 that sounds like yours was a more reasonable size than my body bag 😂.

[@anessaharris9947]

🇨🇦😃

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@upcycledcopycat8389]

I avoid 100% rayon and viscose. RTW or fabric. If I can avoid it I do. It NEVER stands up after several washings. It will eventually ALWAYS go wonky especially dresses. If I am going to spend the time sewing something I expect it to last for a couple seasons. I classify rayon or viscose as throw away. I would never throw it in the dryer after washing that's for sure. Only ever before sewing for the first and last time. I'm always sorry whenever I do use it. I don't think it dyes properly from the get-go like other fabrics because it pills, fades and just doesn't stand up. My 15yr g'daughter works at a thrift store and shops almost exclusively at thrift stores(she's obsessed!!!) etc and anytime I get asked to repair a dress or blouse or whatever IT'S USUALLY ALWAYS 100% rayon or viscose(she handed me 3 pieces just yesterday) and it always just like shabby after awhile to me. And is a nightmare of shifting, fraying etc anytime it has to be repaired. I love digging through remnant bins for my stash and have unexpectedly brought it home as "100% unknown" on the label. But after laundering the fabric, its pretty obvious when it's rayon or viscose. I've got a couple pieces that are gorgeous right now buuuuut meeeeehhhhh it probably won't get used for anything but toils. Linen viscose or linen rayon... Yeah great stuff. Or mixture of anything with either of them... Sure. But never knowingly 100% .

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's so interesting. I use 100% rayon or viscose quite a bit and really love how it wears 😂. I love a good blend as well.

[@jenniferk7525]

Happy anniversary! 🙂

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you so much!