interfacing

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Interfacing is a textile used on the unseen or "wrong" side of fabrics to make an area of a garment more rigid.

Interfacings can be used to:

• stiffen or add body to fabric, such as the interfacing used in shirt collars
• strengthen a certain area of the fabric, for instance where buttonholes will be sewn
• keep fabrics from stretching out of shape, particularly knit fabrics

Interfacings come in a variety of weights and stiffnesses to suit different purposes. Generally, the heavier weight a fabric is, the heavier weight an interfacing it will use. Most modern interfacings have heat-activated adhesive on one side. They are affixed to a garment piece using heat and moderate pressure, from a hand iron for example. This type of interfacing is known as "fusible" interfacing. Non-fusible interfacings do not have adhesive and must be sewn by hand or machine.

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