Facings provide a smooth, clean finish to garment edges, typically at the neckline, armholes, and center-front openings. But how do you ensure that the facing has a bulk-free, nonraveling edge? Here are four methods for finishing a facing’s outer edge. Choose the one that best suits your garment.

Serge the edge

This is the fastest and easiest edge finish, and is appropriate for many garments. After joining the facing pieces to form a full facing unit, simply serge the outer edge, with a three- or four-thread overlock stitch.

Face the facing with interfacing

It sounds confusing, but it’s a terrific technique, suitable for light- to heavyweight fabrics. As usual when creating a facing, cut fusible interfacing the same size as the facing. With right sides together, join the facing and its corresponding interfacing piece along the outer edge, using a 1/4-inch-wide seam allowance. Clip or notch the seam allowances along any curved edges, then turn the piece wrong sides together. Finger-press along the edge, and smooth the layers. Finally, press to fuse the interfacing to the facing wrong side.

Bind with Seams Great

Apply this bias-cut nylon tricot material along the edge. It provides a sheer, extremely lightweight finish that’s compatible with lightweight fabrics.

Use a Hong Kong finish

This finish is attractive and well-suited to unlined garments, like jackets and coats, whose interiors may show. Cut 3/4-inch-wide to 1-inch-wide bias strips of lightweight fabric, such as lining or silk charmeuse. With right sides together, sew a strip to the facing outer edge, using a 1/4-inch-wide seam allowance. Wrap the strip’s free edge to the facing’s wrong side, pin, and, from the right side, stitch in the ditch, securing the free edge in the stitching line.

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