Waistband Interfacing on BM Satin Skirt?
Hi,
I am sewing a bridesmaid skirt of matte satin. It is a heavier satin and so far is working up nicely with the underlining. (Yup, matches the top I wrote about a few weeks ago, which I have yet to sew since I’m waiting for the muslin to be returned.)
However, I just don’t know what to use for the waistband interfacing. When I purchased the fabric, I also bought some sew-in pellon interfacing, which the woman in the interfacing department recommended, though I don’t think she knew what to recommend really. I thought it felt stiff then – and now that I’m ready to sew the waistband, I find I still feel it is too stiff. (I cut a length, folded it, and put it between some folded satin.) I pulled out my supply of interfacing and found some pattern-ease and it is a slightly lighter weight. I like how it feels in between the folded satin. Can I substitute this pattern-ease for interfacing? Will it shrink or do anything that would warrant NOT using it?
I’m trying to make this a quality garment and don’t want to use the wrong thing!
I’ll be traveling tomorrow to PA for the bridal shower, but will have access to the internet, so will look for responses.
Thanks much!
sosewnem
Replies
Hi,
When I am interesting in having a skirt hang in a particular way, I find that a stiff waistband is necessary to allow things to drape properly. But given that you are looking for soft, two ideas:
Attach the skirt to a camisole-type top that would let the skirt drape at the right place. It would support the weight of the skirt better than the soft pellon.
If that's not an opton, I wonder whether a narrow waistband -- triple fold-- would provide the softness you seek with a little more stability.
Linda
Self fabric is always an option and always the perfect weight for interfacing. You may also want to consider using one or more layers of organza, preferably silk, but you could also use poly if the fabric is a synthetic. I'm not a huge fan or fusibles with satin, so I have none to recommend.
sosewnem: Have you tried using just one layer of interfacing? In other words measure the waistband depth, subtract the seam allowance and cut just the final width. Apply this to the waistband and sew it to see how it hangs. If it is ok, you are good to go. If it is too "loose" you might want to try horsehair or a stiff organza.
mimi
Pre-shrink your interfacing before you sew is a good rule of thumb for all interfaced parts of a garment - especially lightweights and silks as they will pucker if the interfacing reacts differently to laundering from the fashion fabric.
To do this I simply iron the interfacting with the steam iron on full to give maximum steam. For fusible or knitted interfacing hold the iron a couple of inches above the surface so that you get a good cloud of steam and puff the steam generously. Stop as soon as the iron cools and the light comes on to tell you that it is re-heating to come back up to temperature, otherwise you will end up with blobs of water on the interfacing.
Hope this helps.
Sooz
This post is archived.