454 Part 5 Sewing Techniques Read the care requirements carefully before you buy. Make sure the cleaning requirements for the interfacing are the same as the fi nished garment. For instance, if you plan to wash the garment, you want to use a washable interfacing fabric. Also verify that the interfacing is preshrunk if you are using it in a washable garment. Types of Interfacing Fabrics There are three main types of interfac- ing fabrics: woven, nonwoven, and fusible. • Woven interfacings. Because woven interfacings have grain, you must cut the pattern pieces with the same grain as the facing and outer fabric. Woven interfacings come in a wide range of weights and work best with woven fabrics. • Nonwoven interfacings. Because they have no grain, nonwoven interfacings can be cut in any direction. They do not ravel, are preshrunk, and are wash- able and dry-cleanable. Nonwoven interfacings are available in various weights. All-bias types stretch in all directions. They can be used on all fab- rics. However, use interfacings with no stretch mainly for craft and decorating projects. • Fusible interfacings. These interfacings have a resin on one side of the fabric that melts with heat and moisture and bonds to the fabric pieces. Fusible interfac- ings may be woven, nonwoven, or knit. Use fusible interfacings with garment fabrics that are fi rm to avoid having the outline of the interfacing show on the outside. They are also useful in waistbands and for stabilizing buttonholes if the fabric ravels easily. Attaching Interfacing Fabrics You must sew woven and nonwoven interfacings to the garment. Follow these steps: 1. Pin the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. 2. Machine baste ½ inch from the fabric edge. 3. Trim the interfacing close to the stitching line. 4. Cut diagonally ¼ inch across any interfacing corners to reduce bulk. Do not cut the garment fabric. 26-19 Interfacing (white areas) provides a framework within a garment to shape, support, and stabilize. Pellon, Div. of Freudenberg Nonwovens