It’s Monday and that means Questions and Answers from me!! I have some great Questions for you this week because each of these were asked by multiple people. Thanks again for sending in all these great questions and for supporting my new feature!
You Asked:
When I sew on a neckline facing, it always flips out and becomes annoying. Why does this happen?
SMF Tells:
It could be caused by a variety of things. Make sure the seam allowance is trimmed, graded and clipped properly. This is important when you sew a facing to help it lay flat, especially clipping close to the seam. Make sure to press the facing very well after trimming the seam, grading and clipping. This is an important preparation for the next step. Be sure to under stitch or back stitch the seam at 1/8″. This is important because it holds the layers in place and keeps the facing from flipping out. It also helps to tack the facing at the shoulder seam to keep it in place.
You Asked:
When sewing a waistband on a skirt, why does it always end up too small for the body of the skirt?
DISCLAIMER: All of my advice is given as my own opinion from my professional experience as a Fashion Designer, Textile Drafter, and Production Pattern Maker. Keep in mind that there’s more than one way to approach any sewing technique, sewing equipment, or construction process.
When fitting your skirt, make sure to stay stitch the waistline of the skirt on the seam allowance it insure proper fit. Otherwise, it may stretch as it’s pinned on to the waistband and seem as if the waistband is too small. Keep in mind not too fit the waistline or waist band too tightly because it will shrink in a little bit each time it’s stitched. Take into account any under stitching or top stitching you may add as well.
You Asked:
Am I supposed to pre-wash my fabric before working with it?
SMF Tells:
I do, especially if it’s fiber content is cotton or another natural fiber. I always pre-wash any fabric I intend to use for any project. I will launder it in the same manner as I intend the finished garment, whether it be by machine or by hand. Fabrics used for garments that are intended to be dry cleaned, will not be dry cleaned ahead of time because dry cleaning will not affect my finished garment.
Thanks again for all the kind support of my new blog feature! Please keep all the great questions coming.
DISCLAIMER: All of my advice is given as my own opinion from my professional experience as a Fashion Designer, Textile Drafter, and Production Pattern Maker. Keep in mind that there’s more than one way to approach any sewing technique, sewing equipment, or construction process.
This is such a helpful informative post. I love it. You are so talented Roxanne. Thanks for dropping by the blog. You now have a new follower. Happy Monday!
-Fellow Seamtress, Natasha B
This is such a great tip! I am going to share with my daughter who has just taken up sewing! Thank you!
Hi Natasha B! Thanks for stopping by and for the kind comments! Love your blog too!
Thanks for sharing my tips with your daughter. Hope she enjoys learning to sew.
These are great tips. I used to do a lot of sewing, but not mostly knitting and quilting.
great tips! my daughter really enjoys them as well!
Thanks Heather!
Thanks Cynthia. I would think pre washing your fabric is important when quilting too.
You are good, always washing your fabric first. I find that so hard when you have chosen some beautiful fabric in the shops you just want to get home and get started! You are so right though, the though of it shrinking afterwards is just too awful for words!
Thanks for some more great advice.
I learned the hard way Julia! I would skip prewashing once in a while without a problem. THEN, I made this wonderful red knit dress that was very fitted and I had embellished the front with gold studs. I loved it, then I hand washed it. Well, it must have had some wool in it because it shrank up. Not in the width, the length. My saving grace was that before it was several inches below the knee and after, right at the knee so it was still wearable. Lesson learned, especially when the fiber content is unknown.