INTERFACING is a supporting fabric in a garment or craft project, it is designed to give your fabric structure where needed. For example you will find interfacing in a waistband, collar & cuffs. It acts as a stabiliser, stiffener in hard wearing areas.
INTERFACING comes in a variety of weights. Lightweight, medium weight & heavy weight.
Choose your interfacing based on the type of fabric you are using and also look at what you want your fabric to do. For example if you are making a shirt and your fabric is lightweight and drapey like a rayon, I would choose either a light weight or medium weight for my collar and cuffs. When I am making something like a journal cover or a clutch/zip pouch, where I want more stiffness, then I choose a heavy weight interfacing. If I needed to interface a waistband on my stretch skirt, I would use an interfacing suitable for stretch fabrics.
INTERFACING is sold as “iron on” or “sew in”.
“Iron on” interfacing will have a shiny side or tiny dots of glue. One side will feel a bit rougher than the other. This rough side should face the wrong side of your fabric and then pressed on with a hot iron.
I do find many manufacturers will say to use no steam and a medium hot iron. I know that my iron needs to be on the hottest setting for it to stick so please always just do a little sample piece first.
“Sew in” interfacing, I find, is rarely asked for these days. You will most likely find vintage patterns requesting sew in. It just means you need to baste (stitch in place) before you begin attaching the rest of your pieces.
Here are some FAQs my students have asked over time!
Do I iron the fabric or the interfacing? – Iron the fabric! If the fabric is particularly thick and hasn’t stuck then I iron the interfacing side with a pressing cloth (scrap piece of fabric will do) on top.
Should I cut the interfacing any certain way? – I fold the interfacing in half and always cut from my paper pattern piece as I do my fabric
If you have any questions regarding INTERFACING & how to use it, please email me kelly@missmary.com.au