Tshirts and Interfacing

[Icelandic Hitman]

On the weekend I started working on augmenting my LOZ t-shirt, using my usual approach of evenweave it on, then pull the weave out of tweezers, didn't go so well, some of the single stitch just sorta got ripped out of the tshirt. The fabric is a bit thin. I'm thinking of trying the fancy DMC water soluble stuff. But thinking I might need to put some interfacing on the tshirt as well. Has anybody done this? Should I put it on first and stitch through it, or put it on after to protect the back of the stitches. Or is wearing a tshirt with interfacing it in so horrible just don't. Can you iron something with interface in it, or would that remelt the glue and make it come off....

Thanks

[blackmageheart]

I'd put it on after, to cover the stitches. And I'd probably use the iron on type. But I'm lazy!

EDIT: Um...I meant fusible! Where's that tea? XD

[kuja.girl]

If the fabric is really delicate then you might want to use fusible interfacing like BMH suggested. I don't see why you couldn't fuse a layer, sew through it, and then fuse another layer over the finished stitching - just make sure you get the very thin stuff otherwise it will stiffen up your fabric too much.

[starrley]

There are so many different kinds of interfacing. Some are thin and soft, some are thick and stiff.
When I made this baby onesie: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4318&p=33803&hilit= ... sie#p33803 I intended to put some soft interfacing on the inside to cover my stitches (the fusible kind) but I never got around to it, and I've washed that thing about 20 times in the washing machine on a regular setting. I've never had any stitches come loose or pulled or anything. And the stitches never bothered the baby's skin. So, long story short, I still think that soft fusible interfacing, after the stitching is completed, is a good idea, but not necessary. That's my two cents. Or pence.

[Eliste]

I would suggest putting it on before, rather than after- or at least the after is not necessary.

There are tons of good interfacings to make your fabric more stable. If its tearing and not good to stitch on, you should definitely put some on it before you start stitching. You can either get a fusible (which is more likely to gunk up your threads as you work) or to get a tear-away (which you have to make sure you deal with later). Personally, I prefer the tear-aways. Almost anything will do. I usually make sure to outline the edge of my design so that there's a good edge to tear away from, but you can easily cut the excess off is necessary.

But definitely if the fabric is stretchy or fall-apart-y I recommend a good interfacing of some sorts. Your stitches will look better and probably last longer that way.

Sulky is the brand I prefer.

[Icelandic Hitman]

Thanks all for the advice

It is just poly-cotton stretch, I'm not trying to do something like silk or satin. Seems like the Sulky Tear-Easy might be the ticket and I've found it in Aus too...