How can I fix the top of this dress?

[Luna1375]

I bought this Old Navy Dress which I love! It looks like this:



Unfortunately, the top of it keeps doing this:



I don't know what that's called, when the neckline has this strip of an extra layer of fabric behind it, but whatever it's called it just doesn't want to lay flat because the neckline keeps curling forward.

The options I've thought of are:

1. Every time I wear it, tape it with double stick tape and just take the tape out when I wash it and use a new piece next time I wear it.
2. Find thread that color and sew it down like a 1/4 inch in, being very careful to go exactly parallel to the collar so it looks intentional.
3. Some kind of iron-in permanent sticky stuff? Does that exist?

I do have a sewing machine, but I'm at the "can hem a pair of pants" ability level. I'm afraid with option 2 it would maybe still keep flipping up, but I'm not sure. And for number 3, I don't want it to look all puckered or bulky.

If you can help me with this I will be forever grateful! Thank you!

[dancedupapillon]

Iron on sticky stuff sure exists!
http://www.dritz.com/brands/showcase/details.php?ITEM_NUM=222

You can also get similar stuff in sheats at your friendly neighborhood fabric store

[dancedupapillon]

You could also add some pretty trim that picks up colours from the flowers on the skirt.  Green or pink ribbon or something, that you could line up with the stitching along the neckline.

[ljelondon]

The inner layer of fabric is the facing. If you were making this dress yourself, then after you had sewn the seams between the outer layer and the facing you would press the seam and then stitch the facing to the seam allowance, close to the original seam line, to prevent it from rolling back.

I can see three likely scenarios here:

1. The facing hasn't been stitched to the seam allowance but there is plenty of seam allowance left - in this case I'd go ahead and stitch the facing to the seams allowance now (not stitching should be visible on the wrong side)

2. The facing hasn't been stitched to the seam allowance and the seams has been served and trimmed so there isn't space to stitch them together now

3. The facing has been stitched to the seam allowance but it's still rolling up.

In the case of 2 or 3rd I'd try applying a fusible interfacing to the facing - if it's a knit then a fusible interfacing specifically designed for knits. That should help to stop the rolling.

[CraftyMcCrafterson]

I zoomed in to look closer... It looks like it has been under stitched (sewn to the seam allowance) but is still rolling. I hate that...

What will help is if you can tack down the facing. The challenge will be to use as few tacks necessary so it does show on the front of the dress.

http://madebytrisha.blogspot.com/2011/01/plum-sheath-dress-with-lace-shoulders.html

If you look at the pictures here, this is how you tack down a facing on a stable fabric. You can try this and if you don't like it, just pull it out Use a single ply of thread and a fine needle.

Another option is to use a sewing machine and top stitch it down flat like you said. I think that fusible might make it puckery or non-stretchy. Try the other ideas first.

Post pics <3 Good luck!

[flower]

I'm also worried about puckering.  ljelondon mentioned fusible specifically made for knits.  Maybe that would eliminate the puckering issue.
 

Another option is to use a sewing machine and top stitch it down flat like you said. I think that fusible might make it puckery or non-stretchy. Try the other ideas first.

Post pics <3 Good luck!

[kitkat_pro]

I would try spray starch and an iron before I thought about trying to tack it down.

[Luna1375]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I will try the spray starch+iron first and see if that works. If not, I can try the fusible stuff on an old stained t-shirt first and see if it puckers. I'll save sewing it down as a last resort, and if I have to try that I'll just be super careful.

[Miz Spike]

Make a fabric flower that matches one of teh prints in teh skirt. Tack it to the bodice, going through the facing.

I end up tacking down front facings all the time. If you don't have precisely the same color of thread as the fabric,  you have to acquire tricks like the fabric flower.

[Luna1375]

That's a cute idea too! I ended up finding thread that was close enough, imo, and sewing it down. I sewed it very carefully so the new stitching was exactly parallel to the neckline, and I think it looks fine.