Unraveling the Mystery of Facing in Sewing: Everything You Need to Know!

Sewing is a timeless craft that has been passed down through generations, but for many, it can be a daunting task. As you delve into the world of sewing, you may encounter unfamiliar terms and techniques – one of which is “facing.” If you’re wondering what this term means and how it plays a crucial role in sewing projects, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will explore the concept of facing in sewing and why it is an essential step to master for any sewing enthusiast. So, let’s get started and uncover the mystery of facing in sewing together.

Sewing is a popular hobby and skill that has been passed down through generations. It involves the art of joining fabrics or materials together using thread and needles. For beginners, sewing may seem like a simple task, but as you delve deeper into this craft, you will discover that it involves various techniques and skills. One of these techniques is facing in sewing. In this article, we will delve into what it means to face in sewing and its importance in your projects.

What is Facing in Sewing?

Facing is a technique used in sewing to finish the edges of a garment or project. It involves attaching a piece of fabric to the raw edge of the main fabric to create a clean and polished look. This technique is commonly used on collars, cuffs, necklines, armholes, and waistlines.

Facing can be made from the same fabric as the main fabric or a lightweight fabric such as lining to reduce bulkiness. These pieces are usually pattern pieces cut following the same pattern as the main fabric. However, they are slightly smaller than the main fabric to allow for ease when turning.

The Importance of Facing

1. Professional Finish
One of the main reasons for using facing in sewing is to give your projects a professional finish. Without facing, raw edges would be exposed on the inside of your garment or project, making it look unfinished and unpolished. Adding facing ensures a clean and tidy inside while maintaining a neat exterior.

2. Invisible Seams
Facing also helps in creating invisible seams on garments or projects with no visible stitching lines on the outside. This technique is commonly used on formal wear or garments with delicate fabrics where visible stitches may ruin its aesthetic appeal.

3. Stabilizing Edges
In some cases, facing can also add stability to delicate areas of your project such as necklines or armholes. The facing fabric acts as a stabilizer and prevents the main fabric from stretching or distorting, ensuring that your project maintains its shape and fit.

4. Versatility
Another advantage of using facing in sewing is its versatility. It can be used on different types of projects, including garments, bags, home decor items, and accessories. Additionally, facing can be added to a garment or project after the main construction is completed without altering the design or overall look.

The Process of Facing

The process of facing in sewing involves a few steps that may vary depending on the project you are working on. Here are the general steps to follow when adding facing to a garment.

1. Preparation
As with any sewing project, preparation is key to achieving a professional finish. Start by selecting the right type of fabric for your facing depending on your main fabric’s weight and thickness. Cut out the pattern pieces for both the main fabric and facing fabric following your pattern instructions.

2. Sewing The Facing
Sew the front and back pieces of your main fabric together at the shoulder seams right sides facing up. Next, place your facing piece on top of the shoulder seams with right sides together and sew along this edge.

3. Trimming and Clipping
Trim off any excess seam allowance and clip along curved areas like necklines or armholes to reduce bulkiness when turned out.

4. Pressing
Press open the shoulder seams and then press open one side of each seam allowance along the neckline or armhole edge.

5. Attaching The Facing
Turn your garment right side out and pin the facing to it around its neckline or armhole edge with right sides together. Sew around this edge using a regular stitch length.

6. Understitching
Understitching helps in keeping facings from rolling outward while wearing your garment. It involves sewing close to but not on the seam line on the facing side.

7. Finishing The Facing
Turn the facing to the inside of your garment and press it neatly along the seams. Hand-stitch or topstitch the facing in place at the side seams and shoulder seams if needed.

Tips for Facing in Sewing

1. Use a lightweight fabric for facing to reduce bulkiness.
2. Always clip and trim seam allowances to avoid creating puckers when turning.
3. Understitching is crucial for a clean finish; do not skip this step.
4. Test your understitching on a scrap fabric before working on your actual project.
5. Consider using fusible interfacing on your facings if you are working with delicate fabrics.
6. Experiment with different types of facing finishes such as shaped facings or bias tape facings to add interest to your projects.

Knowing how to properly use facing in sewing can elevate your projects from amateur to professional-looking pieces. This technique is versatile, and with practice, you can use it on various types of projects to achieve a clean and polished finish every time. Make sure to follow these steps carefully, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of facings for added variety in

Understanding the Concept of Facing in Sewing

Facing in sewing is an essential technique that is used to give a neat and professional finish to garments, bags, and other fabric items. It refers to a layer of fabric that is sewn onto the edge of a garment or bag to cover up the raw edges and create a more polished look. It not only serves a functional purpose but also adds aesthetic value to the finished product.

The Purpose of Facing

The primary purpose of facing is to provide support and structure to the fabric. When sewing garments, facing is used in areas such as waistbands, necklines, armholes, pockets, and cuffs. Without facing, these areas can become weak and lose their shape over time. By adding a layer of fabric, the edges become reinforced and less prone to wear and tear. Additionally, facing gives a clean finish on both sides of the garment.

Types of Facing

There are several types of facing that are commonly used in sewing projects. The most common ones are:

Shaped Facing: This type of facing is used on curved edges such as necklines or armholes. It has a curved shape that matches the curve of the garment’s edge.
Straight Facing: Straight facings are used on straight edges such as waistbands or hems. They can be cut straight from the fabric or folded over for added stability.
Extended Facing: As the name suggests, extended facings are longer than traditional facings and extend outwards from the garment’s edge. They are often used on coat collars or cuffs.
Folded Facing: Folded facings are commonly used in reversible garments where both sides need to look neat and clean. The top edge is folded over and stitched to create a clean edge on both sides.

Tools and Materials Needed for Facing

To successfully create facing, you will need a few essential tools and materials. These include:

Fabric: Choose a lightweight cotton or lining fabric that coordinates with your main fabric.
Interfacing: This is used to give extra support to the facing, especially on areas that need reinforcement such as collars or cuffs.
Pins: These are used to hold the facing in place before stitching.
Marking tool: This can be a fabric chalk or washable pen that helps you mark the areas where the facing needs to be attached.
Tracing paper and wheel: When using patterns, these tools help you transfer markings from your pattern onto the fabric.
Scissors: You will need a pair of sharp scissors for cutting your fabric and interfacing.
Sewing machine: A sewing machine makes it easier and faster to attach facing, but you can also sew it by hand if necessary.

The Process of Attaching Facing

1. Start by preparing your main fabric according to your pattern instructions. If necessary, mark where you will be attaching the facing.

2. Cut out your facing pieces from your chosen lining or lightweight fabric.

3. If using interfacing, apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions onto the wrong side of the facing pieces.

4. With right sides together, pin the facing to the main fabric along the edges that need finishing.

5. Stitch along the pinned edges, making sure to backstitch at both ends.

6. Trim any excess seam allowance and clip notches on curved edges if necessary.

7. Press open any seams that were stitched, and then press the facing away from the main fabric.

8. Understitch the facing to help it lie flat on the inside of the garment. This is done by stitching close to the seam line, catching only the facing and seam allowance.

9. Turn your garment right side out and press along the edges to ensure a crisp finish.

Tips for Successfully Facing

Use an iron to press your facing after every step to ensure crisp edges and a professional finish.
If you are working on curved edges, make sure to clip notches around the curves before pressing open seams.
If using interfacing, cut it slightly smaller than your actual facing pieces. This allows for easier turning and prevents any bulkiness at the edges.
When stitching, make sure your stitches are even to create a neat edge, especially if making reversible garments that will be seen from both sides.
Choose a lightweight fabric for your facing as it adds minimal bulk while still providing reinforcement and structure.
If attaching facings becomes too difficult due to bulky or thick fabrics, consider using bias tape instead. It serves a similar purpose but can be stitched onto thicker fabrics more easily.

Q: What is facing in sewing?
A: Facing is a technique used in garment construction where a piece of fabric is added to the edge of a garment, usually on the neckline, armholes or waistline, to provide a clean and professional looking finish.

Q: Why is facing used in sewing?
A: Facing is used to hide raw edges and give a clean appearance to the garment. It also adds structure and stability to the garment and prevents it from stretching.

Q: What types of fabric are typically used for facing?
A: Lightweight fabrics such as cotton, muslin, or silk are commonly used for sewing facings. These fabrics are easy to work with and do not add bulk to the seams.

Q: How is facing attached to a garment?
A: Facing can be attached using several methods. It can be sewn directly into the seam or hand stitched in place. Another method is using interfacing, which is fused onto the facing and then attached to the garment.

Q: Can facing be used on any type of clothing?
A: Yes, facing can be used on any type of clothing that requires a clean finished edge. It is commonly used on garments with curved edges such as necklines, collars, cuffs, and hems.

Q: Is it necessary to use facings when sewing garments?
A: While it is not always necessary to use facings in garment construction, they do provide a professional finish and help maintain the shape and structure of the garment. However, alternative techniques such as bias binding or lining can also be used for finishing edges.

In conclusion, facing in sewing is a technique used to create a neat and finished edge on fabric. It involves enclosing raw edges of fabric within a strip of fabric, bias tape, or interfacing. The facing not only adds structural support but also gives a professional and polished look to garments. There are various types of facings and each serves a specific purpose. Proper placement and stitching techniques are crucial for creating a successful facing.

Facings can be used in a variety of sewing projects such as garments, bags, and home decor items. They can be made from the same fabric as the main garment or contrasting fabric for added interest. Depending on the design and fabric type, facings can be attached by hand or machine.

One of the common challenges faced while working with facings is achieving clean corners and edges. This can be overcome by using techniques like clipping, grading, or understitching. It is also important to choose the appropriate type of interfacing to ensure that the facing maintains its shape and structure.

The process of facing in sewing requires patience, precision, and attention to detail. It may seem like a simple step but plays a significant role in elevating the overall look and quality of a garment. With proper understanding and practice, anyone can master this technique.

Author Profile

Jill Nammar

My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.