Hi,
How do you determine what weight/type of interfacing to use when sewing?
Also why does the fusible interfacing seem to adhere at first, only to find once you have finished the garment you have bubbling, usually right in the front of the garment! Should they be dry ironed on or ironed with the steam on?
I did read somewhere that you are meant to pre shrink interfacings, is this correct even if the garment is only ever going to be dry cleaned?
If bubbling does appear, is there any way to get rid of it?
Thanks for looking, happy sewing!
Replies
Dry Iron
Preshrink
Don't have to if drycleaning (but why not every bit helps)
Dry Iron
Well the heavier the fabric and the more structured the garment the heavier the interfacing. I always stem Iron my interfacing and then press hard down on the interfacing dont iron up and down or side ways leave the garment until it has dried a little and then move on . Its is time consuming but you must activate the glues in the interfacing .or you will get bubbles .Also do the interfacing into the seam allowance which will also help in keeping it fully attached.
Always have a few different weights of interfacing on hand and do samples so that you can guage the one you like best. I dont pre shrink as it happens when you use all that steam I even use a wet press cloth to get up lots of steam . When I have pre shrunk I fid that I dont seem to get the smae degree of adhesion.Dont give up on fusibles they are FANTASTIC.
Most fusible interfacings problems can be solved by reading & following the directions with EVERY fusible you buy--I learned this the hard way and I use a clock to time the ironing. I do pre-shrink fusibles by soaking in hot water for 20 min. then hanging to drip dry. It's a pain but gets good results. Another issue is if fabric shrinks, which it does sometimes even with dry cleaning, it will cause bubbles because the fusible did not shrink at the same rate as fabric. I pre-shrink ALL fabrics. The washable I do at home and send silks/ wools to cleaners for a steaming. You could do that at home if you have a good iron--I just don't want to waste all that time.
Thank you for your tips. Out here in Spain you don't get any instructions, just the amount cut off the roll! Plus it's difficult to start asking lots of questions in Spanish when I'm not fluent! So that's why, since I've found these wonderful forums I'm going to be a pain in the butt with my continual questions!!
The jacket that I am currently making is a polyester and will only ever be dry cleaned. So I would assume that it won't shrink? Still I only actually bought this material to make up as a 'trial' (toile) as it was in the sale and only cost me the equivalent of $10! As is always the way it has made up beautifully!
Thanks Liz.
Is this fabric, etc. that you purchase in flat folds or millends? Is it of questionable content(i.e. you figure it out for yourself?) You might try writing to Pellon and HTC, both are interfacing manufacturers and both have printed literature regarding type of interfacing for purposes and fabrics. Maybe with that info you can look at what you buy and know what kind it is, it's use and how to apply it. THREADS MAG has had a couple of articles I know of on interfacings and the selection of same.
This post is archived.