Do you have t-shirts that seem to wear out too quickly and that you wish would last longer? Do you love knitting your own clothes but also want to ensure they look great long term? If you answered yes to these questions, then you really should consider interlining your knitted fabric! One easy way to make your clothes last longer is interlining.
Interlining is a special process which adds an extra layer of fabric, commonly called interfacing, to your clothes. This additional layer prevents your fabric from stretching or sagging, so garments hold their shape longer. This is super useful because no one wants their favourite shirt or dress to lose its buy in shine after only a few wears!
Interlining also adds additional support to areas of your clothing, such as necklines and waistbands, that can easily stretch. These sections can wear out quicker than the rest of the clothing. Knitted clothes are naturally stretchy, so without proper interlining meaning, it is easy for them to lose their shape. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you have spent time and effort knitting something beautiful and it has shaped up unfavorably after a few wears!
In general there are so many benefits of using interlining on stretchy knit fabrics. It simply keeps the chest from sagging and stretching first. Therefore, your clothes will look better for longer! It can also give your garment some nice structure and stability, making it feel more polished. This is particularly useful when you are constructing a slightly more tailored piece, such as a blazer or a dress, that needs to retain some structure.
To interline your knitted project you start by cutting a piece of interfacing the same size as your knitted fabric. Okay, so next step is to take the interfacing and iron it onto the wrong side/back side of your fabric. However if you have a thicker fabric it may be better to use heavier interfacing to complement your fabric.
There are a few key considerations when selecting an interlining to use with your knitted fabrics. Ask yourself these questions first: the weight and stretch of your fabric. If you are usin a light and stretchy fabric, you’ll want to choose a light weight interfacing so you’re not weighing it down. Conversely, if your fabric See Tag is heavier, then a heavy interfacing will yield better results so that it can provide itself extra support.
You will also want to consider what sort of garment you are making. If you are making something more structured, such as a blazer or a dress, you may need to use a stiffer interfacing to keep it from losing its nice shape. But if what you’re making is a looser garment, like a comfy sweater or a t-shirt, all you really need to ensure it looks good are lighter weight interfacings.
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