Tips for Choosing Interfacings

We've put together some tips gleaned from our customers and our suppliers for working with the swatches to your best advantage. Feel free to let us know if you come up with other ideas. We'll be happy to pass them on.

Also, learn about our Best Match Service.  Our Fabric Specialists can match interfacings to any fabric in your online order, or to any swatch you send us.

Want a Swatch?

We are happy to send a swatch of any of our interfacing fabrics so that you can feel and test it before making your choice. Simply e-mail us with your address to request up to three swatches. If you want to test a number of interfacings, you can purchase our interfacing packet for $5.00. Click here to purchase.

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Tips for Labeling

Write the stock number or name on the interfacing swatch with a permanent marking pen or use peel and stick labels to identify each swatch.

Cut up the descriptions enclosed and glue or tape to a piece of paper. Snip a corner from the swatch and glue or tape it next to the description for future reference.

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Tips for Testing

Your sample swatches are large enough that you should be able to test fuse two different fabrics with each. Ultimately a true test fuse prior to sewing a garment should be done on a larger sample (at least 6" x 6"), but working with the swatch prior to purchasing can give you valuable information. Test fuse according to product directions. To assess, feel the sample, try to pull it apart, roll it, fold it, make a buttonhole. For sew-ins, baste to the fashion fabric and perform the same manipulations.

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Tips for Making the Best Choice

Different areas of your garment will require different interfacing support. Consider the purpose of the interfacing in each area to determine the best combination. For instance you may choose one type for the roll line of a shawl collar jacket and a more stable type to support the buttonholes in the same jacket. Experiment to find those that work best with the fabrics you sew most often. Purchase 3-5 yards of several types of interfacings and preshrink all at once to streamline the process for each garment. Hang on hangers, store flat or fold and roll on paper towel tubes or wrapping paper tubes.