Sewing a neckline facing involves attaching a shaped piece of fabric to the neckline to create a clean, finished edge. Here's a step-by-step guide:
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Prepare the Facing: Cut out the neckline facing piece according to your pattern instructions. Interface the facing for added stability, if recommended.
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Pin Facing to Neckline: Place the right side of the facing to the right side of the garment's neckline. Align the edges and pin securely.
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Sew the Facing: Stitch along the neckline using the seam allowance indicated in your pattern.
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Grade the Seam Allowance: Trim the seam allowance to reduce bulk. Grade the seam by trimming the facing seam allowance shorter than the garment seam allowance.
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Clip and Notch the Curves: Clip into the seam allowance along curved areas (especially concave curves) to allow the facing to lie flat. Notch outward curves.
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Understitch: Understitch the facing to the seam allowance. This involves stitching close to the edge of the facing, catching the seam allowance to prevent the facing from rolling to the outside.
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Press: Press the facing to the inside of the garment.
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Secure the Facing (Optional): You can secure the facing by hand-stitching it to the shoulder seams or using a fusible interfacing strip. An alternative mentioned in the reference is to "understitch," where you stitch the facing towards the seam.
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Final Press: Give the neckline a final press to create a crisp, clean finish.
