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Facings? Why bother?
Dynamo Beginner ON CANADA Member since 3/5/07 Posts: 97	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/12 1:37 PM As my sewing experience increases I find myself questioning the use of facings. I think I would prefer to either line a bodice, or use a bias binding around the neck and armscyes. Facings just seem to "hang" most unattractively inside garments and tend to shift about. Do patterns have facings because pattern companies think they are easier for the average home sewer than linings or bindings?
nicegirl Intermediate DC USA Member since 5/10/06 Posts: 1607	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/12 1:54 PM I am with you. 95% (if not more) of facings can be replaced with lining or bias binding, which is what I do. I don't understand why they remain so popular with the pattern drafting companies, but luckily we are not bound by them. ------ http://theslapdashsewist.blogspot.com ================= 2007: purchased 115+, sewed 105+ So close to parity, yet so far Trying again in 2008 Yards purchased: 133 Yards sewn: Somewhere around 95 2009? I give up
allycovey   Intermediate AR USA Member since 11/16/07 Posts: 1418	Login to reply to this post In reply to Dynamo << Like this post Date: 4/2/12 2:11 PM I actually saw a Sewing with Nancy or Marhta's sewing room basing the entire show on what you just said. I want to say it was Martha's sewing room. The guest for the day had quit putting facing in using only binding on all edges. She said fabric companies did not think the home sewist could do facings and that is why they are alway included. She did a wonderful tutorial on how to do binding but did say , however, it was very time consuming. I am with you I don't like the facings and have been just doing binding ever since. I wish I could remember her name maybe someone else on here will
gabrielle Beginner WA USA Member since 3/27/02 Posts: 1534	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/12 2:18 PM I think facings have a place with some garments and fabrics by providing structure. However, I do use lining and binding most of the time.
Dynamo Beginner ON CANADA Member since 3/5/07 Posts: 97	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/12 2:25 PM Ok, so its just not me. It's a shame, because it has taken me years to get to the stage of confidence to make changes to patterns. I have a bunch of tops with floppy facings LOL. Ditto re linings. It seems to me that the majority of dress and skirt patterns are unlined. As a beginner I gravitated to these patterns as the ones with linings seemed way above my abilities. Now that I am capable of linings I feel it would be nicer to have the instructions included with the pattern instead of having to figure it out myself. Sometimes I don't want to have to think that hard, for dresses in particular.
CM_Sews Intermediate CA USA Member since 9/18/04 Posts: 1476	Login to reply to this post In reply to gabrielle << Like this post Date: 4/2/12 3:10 PM Quote: gabrielle I think facings have a place with some garments and fabrics by providing structure. However, I do use lining and binding most of the time. Same here. I hate floppy facings. I've used a binding technique that Sandra Betzina wrote about in More Power Sewing where you stabilize the neckline by sewing 1/8-inch twill tape either right ON the seam line (or just inside; I'd have to check the book again to be sure), and then you do a french binding to cover it. The twill tape does give some stability to the neckline. There are many ways to bind a neckline, however. When I DO use facings, I stitch them down, all the way around. I usually edge stitch right at the neckline (1/8-inch), and then measure and mark from that stitching line at about 1 1/2-inches to 2-inches away (depending on the width of the facing, so the stitching catches the edge of the facing on the inside). The "trick" to making this look good is that the stitching lines must be straight and even, no wobbles. Marking is important, and I use needle down so there are no "divots" in the stitch line. Also, the distance between the two stitch lines must be consistent all the way around the neckline. When the stitching lines are even and smooth, this becomes a design feature of the garment and it "blends" in visually. If the stitching lines are somehow uneven or wobbly, then the eye notices that's there is something "out of place". This does give a nice stable neckline that lays flat and smooth. I think this looks and wears better than floppy facings. I've seen stitched-down facings on some RTW and some sewing patterns, so it's not an original idea on my part. If a stitched-down facing won't work on a particular pattern, then I bind or line. CMC
B Intermediate MN USA Member since 12/5/03 Posts: 624	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/12 4:43 PM Many years ago, I learned to make a semi-lining to substitute for a facing in woven fabrics (before knits). I would draw a curved line above bust and then down to below armhole and a similar cut-off piece in back using the main pattern piece. It was sort of an all-in-one sleeve/neckline facing and it stayed in place. Now I usually do full linings or bindings. ------ Janome serger 634D, Brother PC6000, Singer 500A & 328K, Bernina 600, White Rotary treadle, New Homestead A VS treadle
allycovey   Intermediate AR USA Member since 11/16/07 Posts: 1418	Login to reply to this post In reply to CM_Sews << Like this post Date: 4/2/12 4:43 PM yes polo type shirts in particular are done this way
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6985	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/12 5:18 PM I've made all in one facings when I make sleeveless tops. They help to keep the perspiration down, and I think they look nice. However, with sleeved tops, it's pretty much bias tape or self fabric binding around the neckline. Here's a picture, but my facings are deeper. -- Edited on 4/2/12 5:20 PM -- ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
JTink Intermediate VA USA Member since 4/20/08 Posts: 4800	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 4/2/12 5:29 PM I agree with all here. I still do facings in some of my garments. I find that as hot weather(and hot flashes) dictate my clothing, I stay away from linings in blouses. Most of my blouses are, by pattern discription, actually considered "jackets". But the lining can get too hot. I also find ways to stitch my facings down to look like a design feature.

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