https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/how-to-sew-facings • Posted by Rosie_Wednesday
Facings are a sort of mini-lining in your garment that are used to finish curved edges. Here, we'll be stitching a facing to the neckline of a dress. This is done after you have constructed your dress, including putting in a zipper.
Facings are a sort of mini-lining in your garment that are used to finish curved edges. Here, we'll be stitching a facing to the neckline of a dress. This is done after you have constructed your dress, including putting in a zipper.
Take your cut out facing pieces from your pattern and iron on fusible interfacing. The neckline gets a lot of wear and can easily stretch, and the interfacing helps to reinforce it so it doesn't get out of shape over time.
When you've finished step 1, you'll have fusible interfacing applied to the wrong side of each piece.
Next, stitch together the shoulder seam of the facings. Press open the seam. You don't need to finish the shoulder seams. They won't be exposed on the inside of the garment.
Now you can clean finish the edge of your facings. I use the serger.
Pin the facing to the edge of the neckline, right sides together. Fold over the edge of the facing to match it up with the zipper edge.
Stitch at a 5/8" seam allowance. Then clip about every inch or so, trying to get as close to the stitching as possible without cutting it. This will help you have a nice curve when you press it. Then trim and grade that seam. Press the facing, with the seam flaps going towards the facing.
Now you'll understitch the facing down. The seam flaps should be already pressed towards the facing; take your fingers and and keep it pressed open as you sew. You're stitching the seam flaps down to the facing. This stitch will only show on the inside. It keeps your facing from flipping out.
Next, you'll hand stitch the facing down to the inside of the garment. Here, I've done a catch stitch all around the edge. You can also just tack down the facing at the zipper and shoulder seams.