facing is a piece of fabric used to finish raw edges at open areas of a garment. They are applied on the wrong side or right side of the garment. Facings have a decorative effect when a contrasting colour of fabric is used on the right side.
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They are used on the following sections of a garment:
Neckline
Pocket mouth
Armhole
Front and back opening
Waistline of skirts, trousers
Lower edges of trousers, skirts, shirts, sleeve
Types of facings
There are three types of facings:
Straight facings
Crossway Facing
Shaped Facings
Straight facings
The facing is cut on the straight grain of fabric and the section to be faced is straight.
For example, the top of a pocket at a square neckline at the hem edge of a straight skirt or at front and back openings on shirts and blouses.
Crossway Facings
The facing is cut on true bias.
It can be used on both straight and curved edges but is particularly suitable for curved edges as it stretches to lie flat.
Shaped facings
The facing is cut the same shape as the edge to be finished.
They are usually wider than the straight and the crossway facings Seam allowance is included when cutting out.
See also
CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION PROCESSES