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stabilizing the neck, armholes and hem of a tricot tank top

I've got a new question for you. I'm working on a tricot tank top and pj pants for my wife. I've been going a bit slower during this week because I want to do it right. I'm down to finishing the edges of the neck, arm holes and doing the hem on the tank top. Stay tape has been recommended...but I wanted to run another possibility by you. You know that pattern tracing material used so you don't have to cut the pattern? Its very sheer (obviously so you can trace on it). Very fiberous, random orientation on the fibers. Obviously pretty stable length and width since its for pattern reproduction. Can I just cut some strips of that and use it in the hem?

For the neck and arm holes I was thinking of cutting a strip about 1/2 inch wide, folding it over the raw edges, basting it in place and then cutting some strips of the tricot, about 1.5 inches wide, pressing 3/8 inch over on each edge, then taking that which should now be 3/4 wide, and folding it over the stabilized edge with the 3/8 inch folded parts on the underside. then sewing that in place for a completely bound edge with the stitching as close to the open side of the binding as I can get.I'm a little worried about the enclosed stabilizer washing apart in short order. Toss a piece of it in with some other stuff in the wash? Not really a fair test since it would be enclosed and stitched inside of other cloth so it won't get bashed about quite like if it were loose in the washer. Just get a strip wet and see if it pulls apart? Spend the $4 on the stay tape? How much is on one of those rolls anyway?

Mike (FtForger) blacksmith and sewing newbie

Reply to
FtForger
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Mike, first I want to say glad to see a husband sewing something for his wife. My husband doesn't know the first thing about a sewing machine, and he probably will never want to know anything about it. Next I recall seeing some episode of sewing on HGTV of DIY, that using the, I can't think of the name of it right now, had it a minute ago, but the outside edges of the fabric, which most times we just throw away. But if you had washed your fabric and pre shrinked it, that part of the material can be used as a stabilizer. I have used it since I saw that show, and it works for me. Now if you using a sheer fabric, that won't work of course, I would say that your idea may work also. you can always try it, and if it works, then you know for the next time, if it doesn't, then you know not to use it again.

Maine-iac Rose @->-- remove the thorns and add a hyphen between the 2 words to email me.

Reply to
Maine-iac Rose

The selvedge?

Reply to
Pogonip

I sewed my very first garment a few weeks ago, but omitted the stabilizer to the neck and armholes.... what will happen over time? It is a challis bias cut (sort of) summer dress. Are we talking about wrinkling or something worse? I haven't worn it yet, but it looks nice on the hanger! :P Rose

Reply to
RLK

stabilizing the neck, armholes and hem of a tricot tank top

Reply to
sewingbythecea

Mike I was going to send another email back, but instead of clicking the Reply button, I clicked the Move to Trash instead. But wanted to say that some of us do switch roles when it comes to household things. I use to work on vehicles, before they got too complicated. Now I can only do the oil change with filter, and mostly lubing. I don't like doing that much anymore like you, but there are times when the money is low and we need to do it ourselves. I'm the one that goes and rakes and mows the lawn, that doesn't bother me, only when I had to have an ingrown toenail cut off, and didn't want to have the lawn mower throw a rock at my foot, so DH mowed that season. Now we have a riding lawn mower, so we sometimes fight on who will do the mowing, hehehe. today he is going to cut some trees down, and I'll be moving the smaller logs somewhere. We do help each other for the most part, heck if we can't get along after 28 years, then what else is there to do. I give a little, and he does also. He does help with the house cleaning. And with both of us not working, well he is retired military, and I've been a stay at home wife most my married life, and as long as we can stay that way, we are happy. I get to do my sewing and quilting, hey maybe someday you'll get into quilting also, if you haven't already. oh and BTW the word i was looking for last night was the "selvadge". Well hope all your sewing goes well.

Maine-iac Rose @->-- remove the thorns and add a hyphen between the 2 words to email me.

Reply to
Maine-iac Rose

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