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Quite some time ago on a TV sewing show ( I believe it was Shirley Adams), she showed how the straight of the fabric determines how a skirt will drape. For instance, if the center front of a flared skirt is cut on the straight of the fabric, the drape of the skirt hangs one way; if the side seam of the flared skirt is cut on the straight of the fabric, the skirt hangs another way; if the CENTER of the flared skirt is cut on the straight of the fabric, the skirt hangs a third way. Does anyone remember that show, and can you tell me which method creates a flattened front and back with the draping at the side.
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Dear Sue:
Bias is what makes a skirt flare and drape. If you cut a gored skirt with the center-front/back on the straight of grain, the side seams will be on the bias (the diagonal of the straight grain of the fabric). If you cut a gored skirt with the grainline in the center of the gores, then the bias will be equally distributed on each side, and the "flare" will be equal all around the skirt. To answer your question, if you cut the center front/back on the straight of grain, then the front/back will be flatter, and the sides will flare and drape (and stretch) because of the bias. You don't say what kind of skirt you are talking about, I am assuming an a-line or gored type skirt.
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