Is the front stay absolutely necessary if you have a jewel (or close to it) back neckline?

I have never had a problem with a cowl neckline not "pulling in".

Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

Jean

Cowl neck stay- I have worn cowl necklines for many years and have spent each day that I wore one adjusting the neck and the cowl drape numerous times over the day ( sort of like tugging loose bra straps back into place- tiresome!- dont do that anymore either!).

The cowl stay which is patterned after a stay in Claire Schaffer's High Fashion Sewing Secrets works wonders on deep cowls that have the room to shift around in the wonderful light weight and stretchy fabrics that present them so well.

No adjusting needed- they stay in place and are really comfortable and attractive. Personally I use swim suit lining for my stays- breathable, invisible and comfortable. I do take the stay pattern in at center to adjust for the increased stretch before cutting it out.

I also tend to make my personal choice for a larger shoulder extension to 2.25 inches which allows more room for draping.

Note the neckline is already wider and deeper to allow the fabric to have a place to go- making it narrower or less deep will make a very tight neckline.

Should you elect to cut two fronts on bias by entering a seam allowance under pattern settings, do cut the fronts as single lays right and left on TRUE bias grain as in \ and / not as cut two gives a chevroned effect to your fabric. Do cut the back on true grain and your stay on true grain.

Now having said all this I have one cowl neck top in a stretchy almost lingerie weight knit that I only stayed the shoulder seams with narrow lights ( similiar to Seams Great) but I made the cowl 11 inches instead of 9 and the weight of the cowl holds it in place very nicely and has a penny weight stitched into the front center wrapped in self fabric like a yoyo.

So the final answer is- depends on the depth of your cowl, the fabric selection and it's properties, and how annoying you might find adjusting it during wearing.

Kaaren