Help – I have a v-neck gapping proble…
Kimberly_Bowman | Posted in The Archives on
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How do you keep a v-neck from gapping, since it is basically cut on the bias? This seems to be a regular problem for me!! Somehow I end up with a slight gap in the v-neck after sewing it. I am really careful not to put or stretch the fabric when sewing it, but it seems to always happen. I check my pattern on the dress form and on the customer — but still it happens!! Anyone have any suggestions how to prevent this and when it does happen, how to fix?
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Hi Kimberly
Do you stay-stitch before sewing? That can realy help. Another thing you could try is to center a twill tape or non-bias binding on the seam line. Ofcourse you have to be careful to make sure the weight of the tape is lighter than that of the fabric. I also press between all operations which usually puts back to size. I have read articles about not having to press anything until the end, but I am from the old school and press everthing as I go. It is worth the time. Good luck
Linda
*I agree with Linda, press as you go! The amount of time you spend really increases the quality in the long run.I have found that twill tape can be bulky in blouse or dress necklines, so, being the environmentalist that I am, I have started using cleanly-cut selvedge edges from either Bemberg lining or self-fabric. I use my rotary cutter to cut a strip about 1 cm wide. I slightly ease the neckline edge in as I sew.I also use it in all shoulder seams, to prevent stretching from sitting on a hanger. My clients all appreciate this, when I show them.When turning in neck edges on jerseys (either t-shirt or sweater weights), I use thin bathing suit elastic for the same job. The only fabric I have not had a lot of success using this technique with is waffle cotton, the stuff long undies are typically made with. For that, I either make a facing, or use ribbing.
*thanks for the posts! I also found in a sewing shortcuts book doing little pleats (basically a fix after the stretching has happened) with I used on a lined vest-top and my client thought it was a really great design touch!! (and never knew it was a fix!!!)Thanks again for the help!
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