I discovered Petersham Ribbon a couple of years ago. It is often compared to grosgrain ribbon except that Petersham has a woven edge. This gives it some flexibility properties and helps waistbands conform and fit more comfortably.
Having had success with using Petersham Ribbon, I am a complete convert! I use it whenever I can.
So, back to the basic A-line skirt from DIYC. Last we saw the skirt, the lining was basted (and ease/fitted) to the top of the skirt front, and the lining raw edges were finished off onto the zipper tape.
Now comes the fun part - preparing and attaching the facing!
To pre-shrink the Petersham, I dunk it in hot water and steam shape it with an iron. I almost always use 1.5" wide Petersham, I just like the way it fits my body. While at the iron, I steam and stretch one long edge of the Petersham into a wide curve. It's hard to tell in the picture, but the Petersham essentially becomes and upside-down smile, the stretched curved edge is notated by the pin.
The Petersham is attached to the outside of the skirt, with the unstretched edge stitched along the top of the skirt. Once folded to the lining side, the stretched edge of the Petersham allows for a comfortable fit along the tummy and abdomen area (well, for those of us with tummies and abdomens!).
I try my best to sew the unstretched edge of the Petersham right along the ease stitching lines, with the stretched edge extending beyond the top of the skirt.
Here it is stitched:
And here is what it looks like on the lining side.
Next I turn the Petersham to the lining side of the skirt, press-steam-press-steam-press, tuck under the two short edges along the zipper, and either top-stitch along the entire skirt top or stitch-in-the-ditch along the side seams and darts.
Next up, the finishing touches.
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