How to stabilize knit and delicate fabrics before cutting
When sewing with thin knit fabrics, a common problem arises: the edges curl, making both cutting and hemming difficult. You can solve this in 3 ways.
IMPORTANT! Before using any technique, test it on a scrap piece first. This is to ensure that no marks are left on the right side of the fabric after treatment. Any slight marks on the wrong side will wash out completely after the first wash.
## Method 1
Lay the knit fabric on a flat surface, right side down, and pin the edges. Then, spray hairspray from a distance of 10-15 cm.
Once the moisture has evaporated slightly, press the edge with an iron, carefully placing the soleplate down.
Hairspray usually leaves no marks on dark fabrics. Be more careful with thin and light-colored ones!
## Method 2
You will need PVA glue and a wide brush. Dilute the glue with water in a 1:4 ratio.
Lay the fabric on a towel or other surface and pin it down beforehand. Apply the glue to the edge with a damp brush, then dry it with an iron.
This option allows you to get a very firm edge.
## Method 3
Ideal for hemming blouses, skirts, dresses, etc. In this case, we will use paper-backed fusible web for stabilization.
Cut the fusible web into pieces 10 cm long and about 0.5-0.7 cm wide. Place them on the fabric at some distance from each other and fix them with an iron.
Once the fabric has cooled, remove the paper, fold the hem to the desired width, and press again with an iron. All that's left is to sew with a twin needle, and your perfect knit hem is ready!
A huge thank you to Lina Frolova for these professional recommendations 🥰
A glue stick is definitely not suitable for clothing: it washes out even with plain water, without detergent or soap. There are special liquid agents for reinforcing edges; they generally withstand gentle washes, but only a certain number of times. They are perfect for doll clothes, but hardly for "human" ones ))