Fabric Detective Part 2: Which Interfacing?

Happy Friday, everyone! Today on the blog we are continuing our “Fabric Detective” series and our new topic is….interfacing!

There are many different kinds of interfacing, but here at Farmhouse Fabrics we mainly carry two: Baby Interfacing and German Interfacing. We often get questions from our customers  about these products. What is the difference between the two interfacings? What are they used for? These are excellent questions and they most definitely need to be addressed. We got to spend some time with seamstress extraordinaire Cindy Foose so we took full advantage and asked her to share some of her vast knowledge on interfacing.  So let’s dive into the world of interfacing together and get fabric detecting!

First up, German Interfacing:

German Interfacing is a 100% cotton, woven interfacing imported from Germany (hence the name 🙂 ). It is a sheer, very lightweight interfacing that is perfect for very delicate fabrics as well as more moderate weight fabric. There are few interfacings that can be used both with lawn and with corduroy, but this is one of them! This is a fantastic interfacing because it gives stability without adding weight, so it’s really ideal for children’s clothing and other sewing projects that you want to avoid adding bulk to. This interfacing is also special because it has been triple mercerized.

Next, let’s take a look at Baby Interfacing:

Baby Interfacing is also called French Interfacing. It is a fine gauge tricot knit interfacing imported from France and it is extremely lightweight. Like the German Interfacing, it too adds stability without weight. The difference between Baby and German interfacing is really the composition of the fabric. While German Interfacing is 100% cotton, Baby Interfacing is not. Because it is not, it is recommended that you use a cotton pressing cloth when applying it to your fabric.

So which interfacing should you use? Well, that really is an issue of personal preference. Both interfacings are very lightweight and give you that stability without making your project heavy or bulky. They can be used to reinforce button holes or give substance to an heirloom project without weighing it down. Both interfacings have excellent adhering qualities.

The buttonholes on these dresses were interfaced with our German Interfacing!

Speaking of adhering, here’s a special Cindy Foose tip on helping your interfacing adhere better to your fabric: warm your fabric with your iron before you apply the interfacing! This will help the interfacing to melt evenly and more quickly so you have a secure bond. Another tip: make sure you simply press your iron down when applying the interfacing; don’t move the iron around-that would smear the adhesive and possibly ruin your project!

 

Who would’ve thought that interfacing could be so interesting?