I have been sewing knits since the stretch and sew revolution, but I now have a question.  What is the best way to sew a neckline trim so that it is stabilized?  This is a two-way stretch knit, very drapey, although it is fine it is also somewhat weighty.  Small stitches slip, making the neckline difficult to stabilize enough to add a facing of any kind.  I really don’t want to use the stretch stitch for the first application of a facing, it would be a miserable job to take out, if I had to do that.

I generally use a five centimeter strip, folded in half, stitched to the neckline, turned inside and stitched down from the right side.  Doesn’t work.  I have the right length for the trim, enough to pull the neckline in enough for a good fit, quartered each (the usual technique).  I’ve removed the trim which left the neckline stretched out, now I am thinking that because I had to cut on the stitching line I will need to have a centimeter width of trim extending above the neckline.  The fabric doesn’t like topstitching, will have to do it by hand no matter which application I use.  Does all this make sense?

I am copying a top from a catalogue picture.  There is a new store in town called Cassis and I love their clothes, they are classic and elegant – haven’t visited the store yet and of course I am using different fabric from the photo.  It’s the sort of challenge I enjoy – usually!