How to Improve Your Sewing: All About Interfacing

[@TomKatStitchery]

Today’s Love Notion Feature Friday pattern is the Tailgate Sweatshirt and Hoodie and is $5 today (11/1/24) only! Use code 10TKStitchery for an additional 10% off sale price*: www.lovenotions.com/product/tailgatesweatshirtandhoodie?affiliates=436

[@chriswatson1698]

I think that lightweight interfacing should be manufactured in skin tone. I cheat. Years ago, I bought from KraftKolour, a set of dyes for polyester. I can't remember why I bought them, but it is really good for colouring white interfacing to match my skin. I prefer that for my silk chiffon tops. The dyes are colourfast and heat set. I dunk the cut interfacing into a thin solution of the dye, and when I fuse the interfacing to the fabric, the heat sets the colour.

[@karenbensdon4643]

Product idea

[@lynnm.johnson5755]

Brilliant!

[@TomKatStitchery]

That would be a great idea for a company to pick up!

[@juliemulie1805]

Best Christmas gift for a sewer is a steam press machine! Add a nonstick pressing sheet and you’re ready to go. Had to fuse medium weight woven in some drapery last week…imagine that with an iron.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I bet that is fantastic!

[@victoriahannah1633]

Thank you for these tips on interfacing. Also I would like to thank you Whitney and everyone who has been praying for me.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad it was helpful! 🙏Prayers to you!

[@dawnjeffersramstad8401]

Thank you! As one who asked for this video, I was pleased with the content and the links. 😊

[@TomKatStitchery]

You're welcome! 😊

[@lisagoldring2838]

Thanks for this! Could you do a quick addendum on interfacing knit fabrics. I am often unsure about which interfacing to use for light weight knits vs. sweater knits: Palmer Pletsch Perfect Fuse Sheer vs. Light?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I like a tricot or knit interfacing for my knits. I don't think Palmer/Pletsch has a knit interfacing, but the tricot interfacings I've been using from Thermoweb have been really lovely and would work great on your knits. To be honest, though, I often just use non stretch interfacings on my knits. Usually when I have areas to interface on a knit garment I don't want it to stretch so I just use sheer or lightweight interfacing on my lighter weight knits and maybe the medium weight interfacing on my pontes or heavier sweater knits.

[@carolwampler1764]

Thank you, Whitney, for the information. It is very helpful.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@marshadimond441]

That bow on the sweatshirt is so cute! Designs by JuJu has a free design for machine embroidery. Time to get that embroidery machine fired up!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

So tempting!

[@lindamcmahon9358]

Do you need to cut interfacing on the grain?

[@TomKatStitchery]

Yes!

[@karenbensdon4643]

Mood also has some good quality interfacing.

[@TomKatStitchery]

They do!

[@Mrs.Patriot]

This is really great information. I used Heat N Bond to hem microsuede drapes for my living room! No sewing! I didn't have a sewing machine at the time but I do now. Thank you for your recommendations.

[@TomKatStitchery]

That's handy! And you can always go back and sew it if you want!

[@angienorman5974]

Do you have a standard yardage that you buy of each type of interfacing when stocking up?

[@TomKatStitchery]

Um, a bunch? As you know, I sew a lot of stuff so having it on hand is essential when the mood strikes me. For me, it's like keeping a stock of basic cooking ingredients on hand. Like you never know when you want to make a cookie (or sew a shirt!)

[@angienorman5974]

@ I usually buy in 2-3 yard increments (of each type) depending on width

[@bethk1402]

Thank you! That was a super helpful video.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@caesiusgeo]

Thank you!

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@DoloresDeeBodnar]

Wonderful, I know quite a bit about interfacing and now I know more 😊❤

[@TomKatStitchery]

There's always a little more to learn!

[@amysheridan4496]

Great video! I am a big fan of Palmer/Pletsch too. I would like to know what you think about Wonder Tape? I do like it for hems but have a hard time getting the cover layer off, and the last roll I bought didn’t stick well. I use the SewKeyse tapes too but they don’t wash out.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I use Wonder tape a ton! The trick to getting the top paper layer to come off is to not cut the tape, but to tear it. That leaves a jagged edge and makes it much easier to peel that paper layer off. You also want to make sure and store the open package in a plastic zip loc so that the glue doesn't dry out. When I started storing it that way, it stayed fresh through the entire roll.

[@amysheridan4496]

@ thanks for these tips!

[@margaretgorski7947]

Funny i just placed an order from palmer pletsch this week!

[@TomKatStitchery]

perfect timing!

[@Ginevra345]

Thank you so much for this video a lot of interfacing is a mystery to me so I just go with my best guess and hope it works out 😅

[@TomKatStitchery]

There is an element of trial and error, but starting with the right weight takes some guess work out of it.

[@patgottshalk8808]

Thanks for the product info and reviews. Do you ever block fuse?

[@TomKatStitchery]

I tend to cut and fuse more than block fuse.

[@anjanadelhi4497]

Hello, I have learnt so much from you. A lost of my fusable interfacings shrink and feel puckered after the garment has been washed. What do you advise for this? The Palmer Pletsch perfect fuse medium interfacing medium weight interfacing instructs to preshrink. How do we preshrink fusable interfacing?

[@anjanadelhi4497]

I commented too soon😅. You explained everything.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I'm glad this cleared up your question!

[@seekercons4498]

So is Pelllon a bad brand? Kinda new to sewing and I see it on sale at JoAnn’s all the time.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It's not a bad brand, it just doesn't have the best apparel interfacing. I've used their craft interfacings for bags and other projects and it's good!

[@karenbensdon4643]

The typical high school outfit has changed so little from the early 2000s. 😂

[@TomKatStitchery]

🤣🤣🤣

[@sibyllolson3237]

Interfacing is my absolute least favorite part of sewing! I use lightweight for everything since I make casual clothes and do not like a stiff interfacing. I need to try the Palmer Pletsh interfacing. I have actually been happy with Wawaks though. As for application, I prefer a method I saw the gentleman on Threads use where you sew the interfacing to the facing rights sides together with a 1/4 seam allowance, then flip it and fuse. I like the finish. And since I detest the interfacing portion of sewing, I have also skipped it and discovered that is not a good option. 😂

[@TomKatStitchery]

No, skipping is not a good option!

[@SewFelicia]

❤❤

[@TomKatStitchery]

❤️❤️❤️

[@NadoCrowFriend]

My most challenging aspect of sewing ( and I am quite experienced) is that I can never seem to figure out the best Washable* interfacing for trousers. You want the waist band to stay nice and upright ( so it does not fold over when you bend) but not be so stiff it’s uncomfortable…. Any suggestions?

[@kathygann7632]

They make waistband interfacing that works great

[@TomKatStitchery]

I use the Palmer/Pletch medium weight for my trouser waist bands. My waistbands do get scrunched up in the front, but that's just the nature of my body. Because I carry my weight in my mid section, that area expands quite a bit when I sit so in order to keep my pants up when I'm standing, I have to have a snugger waistband. The sitting then causing the scrunching. It always irons out flat again after wearing, but it's just how my body works.

[@amierikke6225]

I have interfacing from the 1970’s sitting in the bottom of my interfacing stash that I’m afraid to use, lol. It still looks ok, no yellowing or anything but I’m still not going to use it.

[@karenbensdon4643]

You could test a small piece, with a cloth under the iron.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I agree--give it a test and send it through the washer and dryer and see how it performs

[@maureenmiddleton1450]

What is your view on applying interfacing before cutting your pieces?

[@blackhannahofficial]

Good question

[@sibyllolson3237]

Karina at Lifting Pins & Needles, recommends and always block fuses. I’ve tried it but it seems to waste a lot of interfacing, other than that it worked well.

[@TomKatStitchery]

I tend to cut and interface as shown at the end of the video.

[@karenbensdon4643]

Probably from a conservation standpoint the adhesive could deteriorate the fabric it’s fused to over decades or a century, and maybe that is why it’s not haute couture.

[@TomKatStitchery]

Agreed

[@kathygann7632]

Hot tea with honey will soothe your throat.

[@kathygann7632]

Oh, and lemon juice!

[@TomKatStitchery]

Thank you!

[@ladylouise1969]

I guess I’m going to have to quit watching Sewing videos until after the election…😢 Thank you for the tips!!

[@TomKatStitchery]

It will all be over soon!

[@MaryWatson-p8b]

I did the Love Notions Rockford Raglan shirt. I find I have no confidence in my sewing, 🧵 and want to butcher my fabric seam when doing the neckband. I make any mistake worse. I have to control myself and look at it honestly and think don’t rip it out. I would make it a lot worse.

[@TomKatStitchery]

It can be SO easy to knit pick our own sewing projects. We see all the imperfections and oopsies, but rarely do others see them. It can be hard to take a step back, but keep at it! It's a learned skill that just needs practice!