OT: Ping: Kate Dicey

I'm not Kate, but here are several ways that I've done it:

1 - Cut your binding on the cross grain of the knit fabric (the most stretchy direction); cut it about 1-2/2 to 2" wide. Sew one long side to the neckline of your shirt, stretching it slightly as you sew and using a 1/4 to 3/8 inch seam allowance. Press seam toward the binding. Fold the binding to the back and stitch in the ditch from the top. You should have plenty of width to your binding so that it's easy to catch the raw edge. Then trim the edge of the binding close to the seam allowance (no need to worry about raveling)

2 - Or make a french fold binding like a quilt binding. Sew to the back and topstitch on the front with a double needle or zigzag (decorative if you like). Stretch a little as you sew it on so that it lies flat when you wear it.

3 - Or put on a ribbing band (or a band cut like ribbing). Cut a strip on the cross grain twice the width of the finished band + seam allowance. Length should be less than the circumference of the neck opening but big enough to go over your head. Seam the ends together, fold in half, wrong side together and sew to the right side of the shirt using a zigzag or stretch stitch. Press the seam toward the shirt.

I dug out some ancient notes from a "sewing knits" class. They suggest cutting the band 3/4 the length of the neck opening if using self fabric, 2/3 if using ribbing, if you are using method 3 above. The same ratios would probably work pretty well for either of the above methods

-- perhaps a bit more than 3/4 if your fabric doesn't have much stretch.

Julia in MN

Maureen Wozniak wrote:

Julia has covered this nicely. :)

In fact, I quite like a facing on some T's. You just need to look for some of the Vilene/Pellon stretch knit interfacing: it's lovely and soft.

>

Atta girl, Julia. Kate and I agree you've done very well. I couldn't have said it better - except maybe in 50,000 more words. Still . . . I do have to add this. Do be sure to make the opening big enough to poke your head through. I had to do an emergency alteration for a neighbor's Halloween costume for a 2 year-old. The costume was adorable but would Not pull over her head. Polly

On Sat, 27 Jan 2007 22:48:38 -0600, Polly Esther wrote (in article ):

Thanks for the responses. I've got them all saved for reference when I actually start working on these things.

Maureen

And to help control the stretch.... insert a "ring" of clear elastic in the binding/banding. It shouldn't be attached except at center back, just loose in the fold. And should be just a smidge shorter than the neckline. It will keep the neckline from stretching out of shape.

Pati, > I'm not Kate, but here are several ways that I've done it: