In this post, you will learn how to draft, sew and attach facing to your garments to create professional look.
What is facing in sewing and why is it important? Facing is a technique that creates a clean and professional finish for the edges of your garments, such as necklines, armholes, waistlines, and hems. In this post, you will learn more about facing, how to sew it for different types of dresses, tops, and blouses, how to make a pattern for facing, and how to attach it to your garment. Facing can also add some decorative interest and shape to your clothing, so read on to discover how to master this skill.
What You Need to Sew Facing
Before you start sewing facing, you need to gather the following materials:
- Fabric: Choose a fabric that matches or contrasts with your garment fabric. You can use the same fabric as your garment or a different one, as long as it is lightweight and suitable for the shape of the edge you are facing.
- Fabric scissors: Use sharp fabric scissors to cut out the facing pieces accurately and avoid fraying. Learn more on scissors here.
- Pins: Use pins to secure the facing to the garment edge before stitching.
- Sewing machine: Use a sewing machine to sew the facing to the garment. You can also use a serger or an overlocker for a cleaner finish.
- Iron: Use an iron to press the facing and seam allowance flat and make them lie smoothly inside the garment.
- Thread: Use matching thread to sew the facing to the garment. You can also use contrasting thread for a decorative effect. Check out my post on threads and choose best one for your project here.
How to Sew Facing Step by Step
Follow these steps to sew facing to your garments:
Create the facing pattern: Trace the edge of the pattern piece that you want to face onto a separate piece of paper. Add seam allowances to the traced edge. The width of the facing depends on the shape and size of the edge you are facing, but it is usually between 1 and 3 inches.
Cut out the facing: Place the facing pattern on your fabric and cut out the facing piece. You can cut one or two layers of fabric, depending on the thickness and opacity of your fabric. If you cut two layers, stitch them together along the outer edge, right sides together, and turn them right side out.
Attach the facing: Pin the facing to the edge of the garment, right sides together, matching the seams and notches. Stitch the facing to the garment along the seam line, backstitching at the beginning and end. Trim the seam allowance and clip the curves and corners to reduce bulk.
Understitch the facing: Understitching is a technique that helps the facing stay inside the garment and not roll outwards. To understitch the facing, press the seam allowance towards the facing and stitch it to the facing close to the seam line. This will make the facing less visible from the outside.
Press the facing: Press the facing and seam allowance flat with an iron. Turn the facing to the inside of the garment and press it again. You can also topstitch the facing to the garment along the inner edge for extra security.
Step by Step Video Tutorial
Watch my beginner-friendly video tutorial on how to make and sew facing for any garment. You will see how easy it is to give your clothing a professional look with this step-by-step guide.
Check out the video tutorial here
Use Facing and Sew Gianni-Inspired Top
Now you can apply the skills you acquired here and make this fabulous and fashionable top inspired by Ginni.
Step by step video here.
Ready Facing !
Now you know what facing is in sewing and how to use it for different garments. Facing is a great way to finish the edges of your clothing and give them a professional look. You also learned how to make a pattern for facing and how to attach it to your garment. Whether you choose shaped facing, extended facing, bias facing, or decorative facing, you can create stunning dresses, tops, and blouses with this technique.
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and leave a comment below. And don’t forget to check out my full video tutorial on how to sew amazing sleeves. Happy sewing!
