Cut Out + Keep

French Seams

Create neat, tidy French seams

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/french-seams • Posted by MadebyMeg

One of my favorite seam finishes, the French seam is perfect for enclosing all the raw edges of a seam because everything gets turned in on itself. Because of the added bulk, it is best to use French seams on thinner fabrics, or where the bulk doesn't matter. It is also the perfect finish for sheer fabrics.

You will need

Project Budget
Free

Time

0 h 30

Difficulty

So-so
Medium 107504 2f2015 02 16 132051 seam Medium 107504 2f2015 02 15 220134 made tutorial french seam

Description

One of my favorite seam finishes, the French seam is perfect for enclosing all the raw edges of a seam because everything gets turned in on itself. Because of the added bulk, it is best to use French seams on thinner fabrics, or where the bulk doesn't matter. It is also the perfect finish for sheer fabrics.

Instructions

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    Sew the first seam with wrong sides together. For a 5/8" seam allowance, sew the first line of stitches 2/8" (1/4") from raw edge.

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    Flip the fabric so that rights sides are together. Press.

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    With right sides still together, sew second line of stitches 3/8" from pressed edge, enclosing raw edges from first seam. This will use up the full 5/8" seam allowance (2/8" + 3/8" = 5/8").

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    Press the seam open and you're done! For a faux flat-felled seam look, you can also sew a third line of stitches attaching the french seam to the garment.