I'm getting close to being done with the new pattern! It will probably be ready this evening, or tomorrow mid-morning.
The new pattern is written using a mix of both sew-in and fusible interfacing. Each has its own qualities, and as I've learned more about sewing, I sometimes use both in one project.
From what I can tell, many people are more comfortable and familiar with fusible. But sew-in interfacing has some wonderful qualities, so I wanted to share my thoughts for those of you who are interested in hearing more.
First off, if you don't have sew-in interfacing available, you can use scrap fabric.
If you are like me, you might have some "what was I thinking when I bought this print???" fabric in your stash. That is perfect to use as a substitute for sew-in interfacing! Just make sure any print won't show through the fabrics on exterior of lining of whatever you are sewing.
You can also repurpose old sheets, shirts, or other pieces of clothing as sew-in interfacing. This is a great way to incorporate some recycling in your projects, while also having the benefit of using new materials for the exterior.
Here are some other things I like about sew-in interfacing:
- You can trim it away from the allowance after sewing to ease bulk from the seams. A lot of the time you can accomplish this with fusible by cutting the interfacing pieces slightly smaller in the first place. But sometimes--like with these faced handles--it is just going to be easier to trim after sewing.
- You don't have to worry about incompatibility with your fabric. With fusible, if your interfacing is too heavy or light for your fabric, it is going to wrinkle and peel away.
- Sew-in tends to launder better, so I like it for anything I might want to machine wash.
- It can feel heavier than fusible. Fusible gives fabric a crisp feeling, but if you use a layer or two of sew-in it can provide a feeling of being heavier and more substantial. Air gets in between the layers and fluffs it up a bit. This can be helpful with small things where you might want a weightier feel, but adding padding is going to make sewing more challenging, or distort the way the finished item looks.
There are many different brands of interfacing available. I buy interfacing at my local fabric store, so I don't have an online source to recommend. My favorite sew-in interfacing is Form-Flex woven, but it is hard to find. Some other similar woven sew-in interfacings are: Veri-Shape Durable Press, ARMO Press Firm and Stitch n Sew Firm.
If you are wondering why I don't specify brands in my patterns it is because interfacing choice is partly a personal preference, the fabric you are using can be a factor, and not every brand of interfacing is available world-wide.
If you need help matching interfacing to your fabric, you might ask for help at your local fabric store.
You can also check the end of the interfacing bolt for more info. Many will say what type of fabric it is used with, and what type of support it provides. My favorite interfacing is sometimes out of stock, so I look for another one that says something like: "For light to medium weight woven fabrics. Provides firm support."