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Tulle fabrics are commonly used for making wedding dresses and bridal veils.The name comes from "Tulle", a city in the southern central region of France. Tulle was well known as a center of lace and silk production in the 18th century, and early tulle netting probably originated in this French city. Tulle netting certainly appeared earlier in Parisian ballet costume than in most other nations, suggesting that tulle netting may have been more readily available there than elsewhere. Thus, tulle fabric is a light and airy, netting type of fabric.

There are different variations and quality of tulle. Some are thick and stiff, while others are soft and flowy. Each has a purpose in sewing, so be sure to know your project needs. The basic types of tulle are Soft Bridal Tulle, English Tulle, and Silk Tulle(Super Soft Angel Tulle). Since sewing with tulle can be a bit tricky, here are some helpful ideas:

1. Tulle tends to attract static electricity. To combat this, grab a spray bottle with water and lightly spray. Be careful and do not soak, just a light mist will do the trick.                                                            

2. Tulle has a low melting threshold and should not be ironed or pressed directly. It is best to remove wrinkles with steam or use a pressing cloth with a low setting on the iron.                                  

3. To prevent shifting while cutting, use a rotary cutter and self-healing mat. I personally like to fold the fabric over; lay it flat on the table, hold down with a large quilting ruler and cut on mat.               

4. Tulle is a slippery fabric that can be tricky to sew. To prevent shifting and prevent snagging, place a piece of transparent tape on the bottom of presser foot. This will  to avoid snagging while sewing.

5. Place a piece of seam binding under fabric to provide support for stitching. This will help prevent the fabric from being caught in the feeddogs and jamming your machine.

6. Tulle does not fray. This is awesome news and it means that edges can be left unfinished. Leaving the edges of tulle raw can help add an airy feel.

7. It is best to use a larger needle and thick thread when hand sewing.

When gathering tulle, you can use your ruffle foot and gather a lot more in length than what you need for your pattern. This way, you can add more layers and make your project fuller and more interesting. Whether you’re sewing tulle with a sewing machine or by hand, use wide zigzag stitches and not looped stitches or short straight lines. If you are stitching with a machine, it’s best to use the longest stitch length setting.

Lastly, don’t forget that before you sew anything with tulle, secure it first to the base fabric using several safety pins, then remove the pins as you sew. Doing this can help prevent uneven sewing and bunching.