I am making some bathing suits that are lined. Any recommendations on how best to deal with this? Should I construct lining and suit separately and then join while finishing the legs and armholes?
Is there a glue spray that washes out and leaves no residue?
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I used to make leotards as a business and ended up making a few custom bathing suits too. I treated the fabric and lining as one.
I didn't use glue but that is a really good idea.
I also treat them as one - just baste like pieces together and go for it!Very important - I'm thinking you may not have done lined suits before from your post - make SURE to compare the stretch of the lining to that of the fabric first! Not all linings have the same stretch factor as suit fabrics and if you get one that's less stretchy you could end up with a suit that doesn't fit (ask me how I know!). I was horrified first (and LAST!) time this happened, I had a beautifully constructed and finished suit that my daughter couldn't get into. Couldn't figure it out as I'd carefully compared stretch of the suit fabric to the pattern and others I'd made from same pattern... the lining was the culprit!
Karen
If the suit has a center back seam, you can put that part together as follows to conceal the seam allowances: place the two back pieces right sides together, with center back seam aligned. Do the same for the two back lining pieces. Now, stack the suit pieces on top of the lining pieces, so the center back seam is aligned on all four layers. Sew this seam through all four layers, then open out one layer of suit and one of lining--the seam allowances will be enclosed between the layers for a smoother, more comfortable fit.
Carol
Spray and Fix 505 Fabric Adhesive will serve your purpose. While it is a favorite of quilters, it has application for the garment sewer as well. http://www.sprayandfix.com is the comapny's site where you can read all about it.
As for construction, I treat the lining and fashion fabric as one and I have observed that this is also true of many factory-made garments in all price ranges.
Edited 3/17/2004 5:48 pm ET by vsewz
In addition to the suggestion of sewing so the seams are self-enclosed, which I do on all my skating costumes, I also baste the lining to the garment . If I'm using 3'8" elastic, I would baste 1/2" away from the cut edge, trim the lining fabric back, then fold the garment fabric over the elastic (serging it in place first) and then topstitch. This really helps to reduce the bulk that 4 layers of lycra and the elastic together have. Then remove the basting.
Linda
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