stitchu / sewing order / Stabilise
Stabilise, phase 2 of 9.
Staystitch curved raw edges so they cannot stretch; fuse interfacing while flat.
Build flat for as long as you can: every seam is easier to sew and press while the piece is still open. Close it into a tube (side seams, sleeves) only near the end.
Selected reference steps, grouped by garment, not a complete sewing sequence. Labels name the design choices each step applies to. Follow the full sewing guide supplied with your chosen pattern. Patterns and their sewing guides.
Dress
- Halter neck: Staystitch the neckline, the strap edges and the back top edge just inside the seam line, every one of these is a bias-ish raw edge that stretches if you look at it wrong.
- Bias-bound neckline / neck facing: Staystitch the neckline just inside the seam line so it doesn't stretch while you work.
- Neck facing: Fuse interfacing to the neck facings.
- Princess seams: Staystitch the curved princess edges too, for the same reason.
Top
- Halter neck: Staystitch the neckline, the strap edges and the back top edge just inside the seam line, every one of these is a bias-ish raw edge that stretches if you look at it wrong.
- Bias-bound neckline / neck facing: Staystitch the neckline just inside the seam line so it doesn't stretch while you work.
- Neck facing: Fuse interfacing to the neck facings.
Skirt
- Half-circle skirt: Staystitch the curved waist edge so it doesn't stretch while you work.
Terms in this phase
- staystitch: a line of stitching just inside the edge that stops a curve (like a neckline) from stretching out of shape while you handle it.
- facing: a shaped piece sewn to a raw edge (like a neckline) then turned inside, giving a clean finished edge with no raw fabric showing.
- interfacing: a stiffening layer fused or sewn inside areas like facings and waistbands to give them body.