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Member since 9/24/05
Posts: 81
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Posted on: 7/25/10 10:14 AM ET
In a middle-of-the-night sewing binge a few weeks ago, I realized I had no fusible interfacing that would work with the v-neck blouse I was making, and substituted cotton batiste instead. I liked the results so much better than fusibles! A lightbulb moment.

I'm wondering whether others use this (or cotton muslin) and, if so, besides taking a bit more time, have you had any problems with it?

Thanks!
Kathyann
  
Member since 6/26/08
Posts: 857
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Posted on: 7/25/10 11:10 AM ET
I have begun using mostly non-fusible fabric for interfacing. I find that it supports as much or as little as needed ONLY at the exact place (seamline, point of intersection, etc) and (if chosen wisely) does not change the hang of the fabric, but adds rather nice body. Considering the care that must be taken when bonding a fusible to keep iron/board/etc clean and placing it correctly, using a sew-in interfacing does not take significantly longer and the results are so much nicer, especially with dresses, shirts, tops, blouses. I still have and use fusibles but much less than before. I have a supply of cotton batiste, voile, cotton organdy, silk organza and broadcloth on hand for interfacings as well as different weights/types of fusibles.
  
Member since 9/24/05
Posts: 81
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Posted on: 7/25/10 11:23 AM ET
I've been very pleased so far with the results of the woven interfacing. Shall have to stock up on the other fabrics you mentioned using, thanks!
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 13492
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Posted on: 7/25/10 11:29 AM ET
In reply to kathyann
I almost always use cotton/poly batiste or voile for blouse and shirt interfacing (collar, fronts), rather than fusibles. I used to hand baste them in place during construction, but now I use wee, tiny dots of Aileene's fabric glue inside the seam allowance or right along the front foldline (if the dots are miniscule, the glue does not show). The advantage of the cotton/poly blend is that although light and flexible, it does not wrinkle, so shirt collars and fronts remain very, very neat, even fresh out of the dryer.
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Elona
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 7941
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Posted on: 7/25/10 12:26 PM ET
In reply to Elona
Quote:
The advantage of the cotton/poly blend is that although light and flexible, it does not wrinkle, so shirt collars and fronts remain very, very neat, even fresh out of the dryer.

And another perk of using woven interfacing instead of fusible is that if you get the iron a little too hot, the interfacing won't bubble. I ruined a great jacket this way.
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"Play the cards you are dealt, but choose who is sitting at the table"..AARP magazine

SEE MY ETSY SHOP HERE: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuntMaymesAttic
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Member since 12/28/04
Posts: 13915
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Posted on: 7/25/10 1:23 PM ET
In reply to kathyann
The only precaution is to make sure it's prewashed for shrinkage.
There are still sew in interfacings available when bastiste is too light. Glue stick works well too. I like silk organza for a slightly crisper look. Again, if you prewash it you can wash the finished garment.
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www.nancyksews.blogspot.com
  
Member since 7/28/04
Posts: 3233
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Posted on: 7/25/10 1:30 PM ET
I love batiste for interfacing and underlining. It's been a while since I've made a tailored jacket but one of my favorite tailoring techniques (can be used on casual tops and jackets too) is to cut a back underlining yoke on the bias to support the shape of the upper back. Cut on bias out of batiste for flexibility. Helps eliminate that upper back "collapse" that can happen between shoulder blades.

I may have originally learned this from my late, favorite tailoring teacher...Mary Ellen Flury. You can check her hard-to-find book for more details.
  
Member since 12/21/02
Posts: 2636
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Posted on: 7/25/10 1:46 PM ET
I'm another one that much prefers non-fusibles. Pam Erny sells a line that does not shrink. NAYY...but here's the addy:
http://sewexciting.blogspot.com/
Batiste is nice when you want soft support - but I never seem to have any on hand!
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sewing blog: https://unzippedsewing.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 7/28/04
Posts: 3233
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Posted on: 7/25/10 1:51 PM ET
I bought a bolt of swiss batiste years ago on Ebay and have enjoyed keeping it handy for interfacing. I find I grab it more often than not...I have a small amount of black on hand also.

I bought some colored batistes from Ressy's coop a while back...fuschia, pink, ecru, more black, and others. The colors are difficult to come by in most fabric stores.

Martha Pullen, of course, is a good source of nice quality batiste.
  
Member since 9/26/05
Posts: 221
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Posted on: 7/25/10 2:07 PM ET
Elona, I've never used fabric glue, but that sounds like a good idea.
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"The 5000-year-old success story among clothing designs is a piece of cloth with a hole cut in the middle for your head." (Mary Lee Trees Cole)
  
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