Everything you need to know about what is interfacing in sewing, types of interfacing, how to use interfacing -including interfacing tips you have to know if you sew.
Some friends living in South Korea tipped me off to a trend they’ve seen in stores: the fabric corner bookmark. These slide-on bookmarks can be made from fabric or paper,…
Everything you need to know about what is interfacing in sewing, types of interfacing, how to use interfacing -including interfacing tips you have to know if you sew.
Anyone who knows my work will know that I'm an unashamed interfacings geek. I can (and do) bang on at about interfacings at great length and in an excited manner, and have a particular squeal of delight, reserved for those "Eureka" moments when I discover something new that can be achieved with the right choice of interfacing. (Ok, I may be exaggerating about the squeal being exclusive to interfacing... I start throwing around hyperbole when I get excited...) The tricky thing is, that when I recommend an interfacing in a pattern or book project, it's because the properties of that particular interfacing determines the look of the finished project ... but not all of the interfacings that I use are available worldwide (particularly in the USA). And to complicate matters further, the products that are available as substitutes in other parts of the world (read: USA) are not necessarily available to me here, in Australia. It's hard to know what to recommend when I don't know what the equivalents are. Of course, there are online resources with substitution charts, but the little that I know is enough to know that these charts are not always reliable, for my purposes (for example, I saw Peltex 71 as a substitute for Vilene S520. Peltex is simply not going to work for many of the uses that I have for Vilene S520). In a desperate attempt to give myself an International Interfacings Education (so that I can write an international sewing book), I begged the lovely folks at Pellon to send me samples of what they thought would be substitutes for the Vilene products that I use. Bless them, they sent this box full.... and I've been playing with it for a couple of weeks. So.. what did I discover? I use three different weights of woven, fusible interfacing, from a soft collaring weight (medium-heavy) through to a voile weight (medium-light). Of course, there are other weights of woven interfacing available here - heavier and lighter - but these are the three that suit my needs for most things. Pellon SF 101 (Shapeflex) comes in somewhere in the middle - like our medium weight. It's a lovely interfacing and is a good all-rounder for bag-making. If I suggest using "medium-heavy interfacing", you could probably get away with using Shapeflex, but if you have access to anything a smidge denser, I'd give that a go. If I suggest using "medium-light interfacing", I'm referring to something about half the weight of Shapeflex (more gauze-like). I use Vilene H630 and Vilene H640 Fleece/Wadding all of the time, to create structure in bags and purses. They're lightweight, fusible and create loft without too much density (which makes them easy on the sewing machine needles), and they can be used in conjunction with other interfacings (read more about that here). Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece is the recommended substitute for H630, but I think that it's more suitable as a substitute for H640. It's denser (more felt-like) than both of the Vilene fleece/wadding products, and the effect on the fabric is much heavier. It creates much more structure (and thickness) than the light "oomph" that H630 gives to fabric. You can see the difference a bit more clearly in profile... That's the Pellon fleece between the H640 (back) and H630 (front). I'm not sure what to suggest to use as a substiute for H630 (light fusible fleece). I'd welcome any suggestions from those of you in the USA (or other non-Vilene H630 territories), if you've found something to do the trick. Fast2Fuse, Peltex and TimTex are all stiff, compressed-fibre interfacings, of diffferent densities and fusible properties. Below, we have Heavyweight Fast2Fuse at front, TimTex in the middle and Peltex 71 at the back. Fast2Fuse comes in a Regular weight and Heavy weight. I tend to use the Regular weight on the outside of bags and purses that I want stiffened (often with a layer of H630 between the fabric and the Fast2Fuse), and it's also handy for zipper tabs and some of the fancy new (secret squirrel) things I'm currently working on. I use the heavy-weight when I want real box-like structure, or stiff bag bases. I've done a comparison of Fast2Fuse and Peltex before. For bag bases, Peltex is perfectly interchangeable with Fast2Fuse. For finer work, I'd seek out Fast2Fuse if I could, and opt for Peltex if that's all I could find (2nd choice). Peltex has the advantage of being available in both double-sided and single-sided fusible, as well as non-fusible. Fast2Fuse is double-sided, which isn't always convenient. Swings and roundabouts... TimTex is about as thick as Peltex, but slightly denser (crisper?) and not fusible. You can use it with fusible webbing (Vliesofix/wonderUnder/Bondaweb/Heat'nBond/Steam-a-Seam) to fuse it to fabric, or wrap it in fusible interfacing to make bag bases. You can see the different densities and thicknesses in the profile shot, below. Vilene S520 is an easy one. It's almose identical to Pellon Deco-Fuse. Vilene S320 is one of my most-used interfacings, and unfortunately, I can't find an exact substitute for it. I love that the embossed surface of Vilene S320 breaks that 'cardboard' surface effect that most non-wovens have, but apart from that property, it can be substituted with Pellon Craft Fuse. Like S320, Craft Fuse fuses at low temperature and stays stable, and it gives about the same amount of support to the fabric, and it can be used in conjunction with fusible fleece. I've only listed Vilene and Pellon products.... but there are other brands out there, and I don't have access to all that are on the shelves in the USA or Europe. I'd like to open up the floor to any of you who'd like to offer any other suggestions. If you have anything that you feel might be useful, please feel fre to share it in the comment box below...
Everything you need to know about what is interfacing in sewing, types of interfacing, how to use interfacing -including interfacing tips you have to know if you sew.
Hey friends! I have been trying to think of ways to be more environmentally friendly when I am quilting. I am really thoughtful about the beautiful fabrics I select and I want to use every scrap so that nothing goes to waste. Today I am sharing a scrap buster tutorial to make a quilted bookmark! How to make a quilted bookmark: Materials: Fusible Midweight Interfacing Quilter's Cotton Scraps Sewing Machine Iron & Pressing Mat Other Helpful materials: 6 1/2
Craft a haven of organization and personalized style in your sewing space with this essential DIY project! Our guide unlocks a practical and chic sewing caddy, crafted using a tailored pattern
Lazies, Interfacing has been a bad bedtime story for too long. Bad product names, mystery properties, generic instructions - ack! Sew Lazy interfacing
Hexagon bowl tutorial- quick and easy project to sew; great for fabric and interfacing scraps.
Today, I have the pleasure of talking about one of my most favorite things in the world…interfacing! This post will
The interfacing is something that 'helps' you love or hate a project! It could be the best interfacing in the world, if you don't use it correctly, it will give you only headaches! The problem is that each project is unique, there are lots of types of interfacing so many problems may occur! One problem that affects many projects is created by bulky seam allowances. For some projects it is not an inconvenience, while for others, it is a serious situation that you want to solve. The solution? Keep the interfacing out of the seam allowances; it is easy to
Learn to Sew Fast and Easy Fabric Bowls; you need only fabric and interfacing scraps and less than 30 minute.
If you are brand new to sewing, interfacing might seem a little mysterious. You might even be wondering if you really need it to use it. For a lot of garments you don’t need it but for many it is essential for adding structure to the garment. It is often used on facings, collars, cuffs and button ba
Flexible Foam Interfacing is perfect for sewing bags and totes. It makes your handmade bags hold their shape. Learn all about flexible foam interfacing.
Learn to Sew Fast and Easy Fabric Bowls; you need only fabric and interfacing scraps and less than 30 minute.
How to sew a welt pocket
Learn to Sew Fast and Easy Fabric Bowls; you need only fabric and interfacing scraps and less than 30 minute.
Lazies, Sew, with the arrival of our four new Stiff Stuff Crafts patterns, let me share my tips to sew a button on by machine. I can already tell you that
Thank you for your support! Words to live by when you're deciding how best to interface a project. Interfacing is one of those behind-the-scenes sewing materials that gives your projects a professional finish. You've probably heard of it, but maybe you don't know exactly what it is, what it does, or how best to choose the correct type for the job. This category is so large and varied, it's impractical to tackle everything at once, which is why we're focusing this article on the most common choices for bags and totes. You'll like the handy, printable chart we developed. Print out one copy to post in your sewing room and another to use when you shop. If you like the information here, leave us a comment below and let us know which additional interfacing categories you'd like us to review. Simply put, interfacing is a textile that goes behind your fabric (or between the fabric layers) to give it the support it needs to look good and hold up well. Can we cue up Wind Beneath My Wings? Interfacing comes in a huge variety of options: woven or non-woven, thick or sheer, fusible or sew-in, packaged or on a bolt. And that's even before you look at the specialty options within each of those categories. As we mentioned above, there are so many kinds, we're focusing this article on the varieties you'd most likely use when constructing bag and totes. A brief backstory on interfacing For most of early history, people wore garments that draped over the body. In other words, they weren't tailored to fit the human form. Think ancient togas and medieval robes. But around the time of the Renaissance, the nobility began to wear more fitted garments. By the time of Queen Elizabeth, both men's and women's fashion included features like tailored bodices and elaborate sleeves and collars – things that required tailors to add material under the fabric so it would hold its shape. Okay... exactly how would one walk in the vintage garment shown below?! In the 1700s, starched linen was the most popular interfacing, giving our Founding Fathers their nice, stiff coattails. In the 1930s, Dr. Carl Nottebohm, a German researcher, developed a way to create textiles by directly laying down the fibers rather than spinning them into thread and weaving them. These new non-woven fabrics became widely used as backing material and make up the bulk of interfacing today. The difference between interfacings and stabilizers If you've done machine embroidery or appliqué you've (hopefully) used a stabilizer. Like interfacing, stabilizers also come as sheets of thin, non-woven material. They can even feel similar to the touch. But interfacing and stabilizers are different in what they're designed to do and how they're manufactured. A stabilizer is a temporary backing designed to hold your fabric as still as possible while it's being stitched on. With your sewing machine's needle going in and out as fast as six times per second, the fabric wants to move up and down with it. But even a slight movement can produce uneven stitch quality. Stabilizer gives your fabric extra rigidity during the embroidery, appliqué or decorative stitching process. Once the stitching is done, the fabric no longer needs the support, so the stabilizer will often be cut, torn or rinsed away. On the other hand, interfacing stays put. Whether it's sewn in or ironed on, interfacing offers support for the fabric throughout the entire life of the item. If it's a garment, it may give collars and lapels rigidity, or help a light fabric drape properly. In the case of bags, it allows them to hold their shape. Without some type of interfacing, a sewn bag would simply collapse into a little pile of fabric. Another difference between stabilizers and interfacing is how they're manufactured. Even though they both might be non-woven, they have different characteristics. A stabilizer is manufactured to be rigid in all directions, while interfacing may give support in one direction while easily flexing in another. Even with this wonderfully researched distinction, there are exceptions. Some manufacturers use the two terms more interchangeably than others when naming their products. And, sometimes a "stabilizer" can be a good choice as your "interfacing." In fact, you'll see in our chart below that we list "stabilizers" as our favorite choices in two sew-in categories. As with most things in the world of sewing, testing is always important and your personal choice wins the day every time. Printable reference table: Our Favorite Interfacing Options For Bags and Totes We've created many bag projects here on Sew4Home, and in the process, we've made lots of trips to stores and visits online to find the best interfacing options. For your reference, we've created a handy chart you can download and print, featuring the kinds of interfacing we recommend for bags and totes. Along with our favorite in each of five general categories, we've included an alternate, which would also work well. We've divided the choices into five main categories: Foam Style Interfacing, Fleece Interfacing, Lightweight Interfacing, Mid-weight Interfacing, and Firm Interfacing. There are no definitive rules of when to use which, because there are many variables that come into play in terms of fabric (from cotton to canvas), usage (everyday versus special occasion), and the desired look (structured or slouchy). These are all completely personal choices. Think of this information as a guideline to the most common practices. If you're a regular Sew4Home visitor, you'll recognize many of our favorite choices, and we've linked to several project examples to illustrate our suggestions. Foam Style Interfacing This is a good solution to provide a soft yet defined shape. Keep in mind that foam has a some memory to it; you can bend it easily, but it will pop right back into its original shape. If you want a bag with a slouch or soft gather, foam is not the best choice. We used foam on our Stylish Drawcord Backpack (the body but not the flap) and our Vintage Satchel. Fleece Similar in softness to foam, fleece better follows the drape of the fabric to which it is being layered. Living up to its name, fleece provides a density like a blanket, and it's a good choice for totes that feature quilting. Fleece also adds thickness to your layers without adding a lot of weight, which is generally beneficial in the body of a bag. We used it on our Gathered Bucket Bag and Lightweight Day Pack (again for the body, but not the flap; a mid-weight was used on the flap). Lightweight Interfacing When you need a little help to keep things crisp, a lightweight is a good choice. It keeps a lining pocket stable, gives the proper sharpness to a small flap, and is helpful when a project has multiple layers in a small size. In addition, if your fabric already has weight, you may not want to add much more. Hardly noticeable, lightweight interfacing smooths and sharpens. We used it on our Gathered Gift Bags and Double Zipper Device Sleeve Mid-weight Interfacing We draw from this category more than any other when constructing our bags and totes. A good mid-weight is great for creating structure, while still allowing for flexibility. It's our go-to interfacing for larger flaps, and is the perfect layer between a décor weight exterior and a quilting-weight lining. It can crease if folded, so it's best to keep it out of seams. We used it on our Messenger Style Brief and our Zippered Pouch Trio. Firm Interfacing When we say firm, we mean firm! This type of interfacing is quite rigid and meant for projects where you want a very defined shape. We like to use it for round totes as well as the round tote's cousin: the structured basket. It can also work well to stabilize the base of a bag. We used it for our Jumbo Fabric Tub and our Tool Tote. Best Interfacing Solutions for Bags and Totes Chart Preview For a high quality PDF, please click here: Interfacing Solutions for Bags and Totes. After downloading, you can then save and/or print the PDF as a handy reference in your sewing room and when shopping.
Flexible Foam Interfacing is perfect for sewing bags and totes. It makes your handmade bags hold their shape. Learn all about flexible foam interfacing.
Welt pockets look great on jackets and coat, it's a very elegant detail to add and a great technique to know. Let's do it!
This is my last week of organizing my sewing room and making it look pretty. This week I made a thread catcher.
Everything you need to know about what is interfacing in sewing, types of interfacing, how to use interfacing -including interfacing tips you have to know if you sew.
Learn to make quick and easy fabric bookmarks using fabrics scraps. This tutorial walks all level of quilters through the steps to make a fabric bookmark.
A step-by-step tutorial on how to make pajama shorts from scratch. These easy shorts have an elastic waistband. A video sewing tutorial is included!
Excellent fusible products make underlining a breeze and give your fabric and garments a boost.
The ultimate guide to choosing the right type and weight of interfacing.
Once you understand the difference between lining, interlining, underlining, and interfacing, you will be able to construct a beautiful garment from the inside out.
Learn how to make a sewing wrist cuff of your own with this tutorial by Feeling Stitchy. -Sewtorial
For a couple of years now I’ve been seeing the Sew Together Bag pop up all over Instagram, and I’ve wanted to try one, but have felt nervous because it has some different techniques than I’ve used before. Finally, after much debate, I decided to make my mom one for Christmas, and now that it’s...
Ninni Elastic Waist Cullotes. Jak název napovídá, jde o culottky v pase na gumu. Jednoduchý střih s kapsami, který si můžete ušít jak z pleteniny, tak tkaniny. Střih je hodně štědrý, a tak pokud chcete spíše upnutější variantu, sáhněte po menší velikosti. Součástí střihu jsou instrukce v angličtině, přídavky na švy jsou také zahrnuty. Střih je snadný a poradí si s ním i začínající švadlenka. Tip: střih je v mírách hodně štědrý, takže určitě zkontrolujte rozměry ušitých kulotek. A nebojte se jít o velikost (až dvě) dolů. A z jakých látek si je můžete ušít? Vybrala jsem pro vás tyto krásné látky 1/ Organic Leaf Jacquard od Mind the Maker - pletenina z organické bavlny a elastanu se strukturou drobných listů. Látka je velmi pružná a na dotyk příjemná. Lehčí než klasická teplákovina, silnější než úplet. Na pohodlné kalhoty jako dělaná. 95 % organická bavlna, 5 % elastan Gramáž: 280 g/m2 Certifikace: Standard 100 OEKO-TEX, GOTS 2/ Červený melanž 50 % bavlna, 50 % len - krásná žíhaná deadstock látka střední gramáže. Ideální poměr bavlny a lnu pro příjemné nošení i šití. 3/ Modrý lněný melanž - podobně jako červená varianta, i tato látka je deadstock látka z Textile Mountain. Nádherný materiál, příjemný na dotyk. Barva je sytě modrá. 4/ Len fialovo-šedý s nopky - další krásná deadstock látka z Textile Mountain. Látka má na sobě lehké nopky, které vytváří zajímavou strukturu. Barva je lehce fialovo-šedá (těžko se fotí :))
Hexagon bowl tutorial- quick and easy project to sew; great for fabric and interfacing scraps.
The best interfacing for bags? Bosal In-R-Form foam stabilizer. It's fusible, easy to fuse on fabric, easy to sew. The bags are lightweight, soft and flexible. Click through to find out more about it. #baginterfacing #bagpatterns
Learn to sew a beginner-friendly quilted laptop case in this tutorial featuring the Shine quilt block by Suzy Quilts.
One good substitute you can use is cotton. It is thinner and lighter than other fabrics and cotton should be fairly easy to work with. Learn more here.
Make a custom sew-in bag bottom to support bags made from sewing patterns. Lazies, Get ready to support your bags in a whole new and easy way! Check out
Cars can kill you, people can kill you... but zips just open and close. Apart from a few recorded minor mishaps, they are known to be relatively harmless. I've yet to hear of any fatalities.... and yet people continue to be needlessly fearful. One thing I've found myself explaining at least six times this week is this simple technique of MOVING THE ZIPPER HEAD OUT OF THE WAY when you sew in a zip. Those of us with a bit more sewing experience may think it's standard practice, but you'd be surprised how many people have never been told.... How to Sew around the Zipper Head.... 1.Place the zip as directed by your pattern instructions (in this case it's face down on the right side of fabric). Open the zip, and then start sewing. 2. STOP when you're about halfway along the zip. Use the hand wheel (or whatever electronic gizmo your machine might have) to lower the needle into the fabric. 3. Lift the presser foot and move the zipper head past (or under) the foot to close the zip. It can be a bit of a squeeze with some zipper feet, but it's usually easily done.4. Lower the presser foot and keep sewing the rest of the zip. Small things can make a big difference. This is one of those small things.
Week 3 — Part 3 and we’re getting into the nitty gritty;). This week, we’re delving into the segmentations to give you a better idea of what types of products are in the Pellon® l…
Sew your own eye mask and make it so much easier to fall asleep - using this free sleep mask pattern!
A set of plants in these cute and clever baskets makes a lovely gift idea. They’d also be fun as table decorations for a family gathering – or set up an assembly line and make matching baskets to adorn the tables at a wedding.
FREE Sew Sweetness Oslo Craft Bag sewing pattern, perfect for sewing supplies, knitting/crochet supplies, childrens' toys, and much more!
Beginners guide to the different types of interfacing and what interfacing. Interfacing gives shape, support, and stability to garments, quilts, and bags.
Learn How to make a marvellous peg bag with our free PDF sewing pattern. It’s super easy, is very handy and makes a lovey gift!
