Tailoring for the Visual Learner: Ch. 7 - Interfacing

“Tailoring for the Visual Learner” takes you through every step of creating a bespoke tailored vest, from measurements to the final fitting.

In Chapter Seven (of ten) we’re going to talk about interfacing, including flatlining and taping the front edge. Although this series focuses on creating a vest, these techniques are used in a variety of garments, including jackets, coats and dresses.

Interfacing (sometimes called interlining) is a broad term for interior fabric used on the wrong side of the fabric to stiffen, add body, strengthen or stabilize. In the tradition of bespoke and couture garment making, we’ll be working with hand-stitched flatlining, rather than fusible interfacing.

Prior to flatlining, make sure that your style lines are threadmarked, so they'll be visible on the outside.

What you chose to interface your garment with is entirely up to you, but I recommend 100% natural fibers that have been pre- washed, dried, and pressed prior to cutting. The traditional tailoring choice is wigan, but silesia is an easy to find and popular option, as well. When cutting, make sure the grain of your interfacing matches that of your garment pieces.

After flatlining, the next step is to tape the front edge of the garment, traditionally ¼” stay tape stitched by hand. This step can also be done with fusible tape, or by machine if you stitch the tape in the seam allowance instead of inside the garment line.

Subscribe and stay tuned, because in the next chapter, we’ll be going over welt pockets!

Produced and Directed By:

Renée Berthelette
Instagram: @naynay.skittlez
www.reneeberthelette.com
www.aqueousisolations.com

Director of Photography
Eric Gazillo

Host
Renée Berthelette

Makeup and Hair
Lola Hylton
Josephine McAdam
Maur Sophie Sela

Composers
Joel Love
Ian Baird

Editor
Eric Gazillo

Post Production Audio
Eric Gazillo

Graphic Design
Abby Barrientez

Additional Tailoring
Laura Spears

Documentation
Jonathan Shakarisaz

Boom Operators
Ryan Andrus
Jordan Kirby
Eric Lara
Payal Patel
Chris Rangel
Dorian Robinson
Cory Runyeon
Zach Samuels
Taylor Washington
He Yiji

Production Assistants
Olivia Applegate
Addie Arnold
Kaitlyn Aylward
Rachel Bennick
Wilberth Gonzalez
Nellie Kurz
Kathleen Lothringer
Susan McCorkle
Alexandra O”Reilley
Jonathan Shakarisaz
Stephanie Taff
Sweta Vakani
Chris Yoo
William Taylor

Sponsored in Part By
Wawak Tailoring Supply Company

Special Thanks To
University of Texas at Austin
Department of Theatre and Dance

Texas Performing Arts