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Alternatives to facings? Suggestions, and reasons why I shouldn't?
KatieA Advanced Beginner UNITED KINGDOM Member since 5/30/05 Posts: 356	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/17/11 8:39 AM I am getting a bit over facings, I just made a second swing dress (not quite ready to put up the review yet) and cut off the facing from the front bodice, ditched the facing piece from the back bodice, and made some self-bias-binding*. I don't have a rolled hem foot but I was wondering about getting one to use where I don't want to make facings on thin fabric. What other techniques could I use, and are there situations where you really DON'T want to substitute? I guess on the top of a skirt/trousers where it's a grown-on waistband? *Note to self. Buy the right size of binding maker next time. Why can't they label them with the finished width of the binding? that would make so much more sense.
EveS   Intermediate MI USA Member since 11/26/06 Posts: 2700	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/17/11 11:32 AM I am not a fan of facings. In fact, I refuse to do them on knits. On wovens, I will often self-line the bodice instead of doing a facing. I will also do a binding or even simply turn and stitch. What method I use depends on the garment, my fabric, how "perfect" I want my finished project to look, etc. I really like the neatness of a lined bodice, so I will often opt for that. As for the rolled hem foot, there is a bit of a learning curve to using it...and I have yet to round that curve, so to speak. I hand roll my seams when necessary...usually on sheers (it's really not as daunting as some people make it sound), and that makes the teeniest-tiniest hems...but it's not something I'd probably use on most of my necklines. I know there are people that insist that facings are necessary for a "proper" blouse/bodice, but in my experience, I say that's not true for most cases. I don't like the way they look or behave at all, and the Proper Police haven't found me yet, so it's all good. Eve ------ People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
AdaH   Intermediate IA USA Member since 11/21/09 Posts: 2133	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/17/11 12:43 PM I am with Eve, do not like facings. They never lay right and I hate ironing them. Most of the time for a blouse I will not apply the neck facing and use a bias strip to finish the neck edge. Same for sleveless blouses. Facing police have not found me either. ------ Ada
rebel rose Member since 7/31/08 Posts: 24	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/17/11 1:22 PM Who ever thought up facings anyway? They obviously came up with an alternative in RTW, where there aren't any facings. I think they are someones idea of a sick joke. Kim
TanitIsis Advanced AB CANADA Member since 3/17/10 Posts: 125	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/17/11 3:16 PM Some RTW has facings, but they definitely aren't as common. But there's nothing at all wrong with bias binding a neckline. You can also roll the bias to the inside and topstitch it there, effectively making a bias facing. I have used a rolled-hem foot a LOT and still shudder at the thought of trying to use it on a neckline, though. They work best on straight lines or gentle curves, and they can't do sharp corners at all. I think the added support of some kind of binding at a neckline would be a good idea, too (depending on the fabric, of course).
KatieA Advanced Beginner UNITED KINGDOM Member since 5/30/05 Posts: 356	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/17/11 6:00 PM That's helpful to know about the rolled hem foot - I was thinking of it for some light silk I was trying to make a cowl neck top out of - don't know how gentle the curve is.
kkkkaty   Intermediate UT USA Member since 12/7/05 Posts: 2226	Login to reply to this post In reply to KatieA Like this post Date: 5/17/11 6:11 PM I don't care for facings either, but have read in some books that they are helpful or even necessary to support a garmenta at the top. A lining would do the same thing, but I don't think binding the edge would. ------ Viking Lily 545 Viking Ruby Bernina Activa 210 Brother 1034d

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