Sewing Stretchy fabric.

[WildAtlanticWay]

I’m thinking of making some palazzo/wide leg trousers for party wear. I’ve got some very stretchy lengthways polyester velour type fabric in a pinky red colour. There’s no stretch widthways as it’s more like a woven in that respect.

Will it be ok to cut and sew it so the stretch is going down the leg or do I need to sew it the other way? I’m sure that other stretchy trews I’ve had or made have some stretch widthways?

Maybe the answer is obvious but I’ve gone completely blank. 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

[Ouryve]

You won't want the pile to be sideways so stick with the stretch being top to bottom, so the knitting is the right way up. It would be more important than usual to let them hang before hemming, though, or you would end up standing on them.

[Bodgeitandscarper]

I'd suggest you do need the stretch going across - I once made some stretch denim trousers with the stretch going up and down - they bounced and boing-ed up and down as I walked!!

[Kad]

I'd be concerned about static with that type of fabric, you might find that your wide-legged trousers become clingy to the point of being uncomfortable.

[BrendaP]

You should always have the maximum stretch going around the body on any garment.  BIG mistake to try and work it the other way around, especially with trousers.  Don't bother to ask how I know!

[Ohsewsimple]

Oh dear @WildAtlanticWay thats a bit of a problem.  You definitely want the stretch to go round but you don’t want the pile to go round.     If you make them with the pile lengthwise then you’d need to treat them as an ordinary woven fabric.  But you’d need to be careful of lengthwise seams I think. 

[BrendaP]

If there is a nap or pile to the fabric you might have to think carefully about the direction you cut the fabric.  It might be best if the nap runs towards the CF and CB seams (or vice-versa) rather than going around the body all in the same direction.

[WildAtlanticWay]

Apologies for wasting everyone’s time… I’m a total divvy! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

I looked at the fabric again today with my cut out pattern pieces and… the stretch is widthways after all. I’ve no idea how I got that so wrong but thankfully, I hadn’t cut anything out. 

[BrendaP]

Easy mistake to make, especially of the piece is roughly square and the cut edges are neat.
Good news though.

[Ohsewsimple]

That’s all good then @WildAtlanticWay.  Not a waste of time.  Lots to consider.