Hi Everyone,

Can anyone tell me if they have a favourite or suggested technique for a professional/tidy/fine finish on a sleeve seam (the curved seam between the sleeve and the bodice)? I don’t have a serger/overlocker and only a limited zig-zag function, so i would like a way to encase the seam. I have a feeling that French seams aren’t really suitable. What about bias binding—too bulky? Or flat felled seams—would they be ok on a dress, not a shirt?

Any tips and tricks would be very helpful!

Em.

Jan 16, 2012, 06.29 AM by emilycbmurphy

Missing

2 Posts

  • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_large

    Jan 16, 2012, 10.11 AMby katexxxxxx

    French seams are fine on a gentle curve. Felled seams are really a pain on anything other than a straight seam. You do get them on the armscye of men’s shirts, but they are very easy to get puckered, even with starching and pressing.

    For a finer, lighter fabric, a French seam should be OK. Experiment on some scrap. To bind a seam without adding bulk, try Drtz’s Seams Great seam binding tape. Comes in black and white, but is a sheer tape.

    1 Reply
    • Missing

      Jan 24, 2012, 04.15 AMby emilycbmurphy

      Thanks so much! Another related question: if I’m sewing a french seam on a curve, should I snip the allowance of the first seam? Does it ruin how the seam falls/help it curve more easily/make any difference at all?

  • 985f0154fdefdf284531d76b36fbffee7a42548e_large

    Jan 24, 2012, 10.02 AMby katexxxxxx

    I don’t find it makes any difference to how the seam lies, but snipping it may encourage it to fray inside the seam on looser weaves. On something very tightly woven it can’t do any harm.

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