To measure the fabric width needed for a knit neckband, you should calculate twice the desired finished width of the neckband plus the necessary seam allowance.
Calculating Neckband Fabric Width for Sewing
When preparing to sew a knit neckband, determining the correct width of the fabric strip is crucial for achieving the desired look and fit. Based on the provided reference, the method involves accounting for the final folded width and the seam used to attach the neckband.
The core principle highlighted is that the fabric strip will be folded in half lengthwise before being attached to the garment. Therefore, to achieve a specific finished width, the initial fabric strip must be twice that width, plus an additional amount for the seam allowance.
As stated in the reference:
"So you have to account twice. The amount you want if you want it to be one inch wide you want to have. You know two inches. Plus the seam allowance."
This means the formula for calculating the fabric strip width is:
Fabric Strip Width = (Desired Finished Neckband Width × 2) + Seam Allowance
Why This Calculation is Used
This measurement method is essential because:
- The neckband fabric is typically folded in half lengthwise, wrong sides together.
- This folded piece is then sewn to the garment's neckline.
- The seam allowance is the portion of the fabric edge used for stitching the neckband to the garment; it gets consumed by the seam.
Example Calculation
Let's say you want your finished neckband to be 1 inch wide, and your pattern or preferred seam allowance is 1/2 inch.
Here's how you would calculate the required fabric strip width:
- Determine desired finished width: 1 inch
- Multiply by two (for the fold): 1 inch × 2 = 2 inches
- Add the seam allowance: 2 inches + 1/2 inch = 2.5 inches
So, you would need to cut your fabric strip 2.5 inches wide.
This calculation ensures that when the 2.5-inch strip is folded in half (resulting in a 1.25-inch folded piece) and sewn with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, the visible finished neckband width on the garment will be the desired 1 inch.