HomeArts and Crafts IdeasUltimate Guide to Sewing a French Seam
Hello creative friends!
What is a French seam?
Lets start at the beginning by answering the question what is a French seam?.
Women’s Bell Sleeve Top
Using this seam eliminates the need to clean finish seam allowance as is typically required with a regular seam.
The way in which french seaming works is by ensuring the first seam is smaller than the second seam.
Otherwise, raw fabric edges will be visible on the right side of the garment.
For a proper French seam, the second stitch line needs to fully enclose the first seam.
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Take this as an example for sewing patterns requiring a 5/8 seam allowance.
Work one seam at a time.
Align WRONG sides of the fabric together.
Using your sewing machine set to a straight stitch, sew the edges together with a 14 seam allowance.
At the ironing board, press the seam flat with an iron.
Trim the seam allowance to 1/8 wide.
Press the seam open and press the seam allowance to one side.
Turn the seam so that the RIGHT sides of the fabric is facing each other.
Use pins to hold the two layers together.
Turn the piece over and admire your tidy seam!
Here are some things to consider when deciding whether or not to use a French seam.
Which Fabrics Work Best with French Seams
Advantages vs.
Consider this points when deciding whether or not to use a French seam.
What is a Mock French Seam (also known as faux french seam)?
Similar to a true french seam, it requires a wider seam allowance, such as 5/8.
Align RIGHT sides of fabric together.
Press seam allowance open.
Fold and press the raw fabric edges towards the seam.
Stitch the folded edges together with an edgestitch to create a mock French seam.
Open seam and press mock french seam to one side.
Looks pretty tidy too, doesnt it?
Other popular ways to clean finish a seam include serging, zig zag stitch or with pinking shears.
And if youd like to check out some of our free sewing patterns, visit our project libraryhere.
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As you expand your sewing expertise, think of it as a sewing journey in which practice makes perfect.
French seaming gives a sewing project that professional finish from the inside out.
Its a different technique that is worth trying and perfecting!
Happy sewing, friends!
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