Finish Seam Edges without a serger (5337 Views)

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  One way to finish seam edges on a regular sewing machine, as opposed to a serger, is with a zigzag stitch. This technique can be used an almost any edge to help prevent fraying and give the edge a clean look. When finishing a seam edge with zigzag stitches, it is important to test the stitches first on a scrap. Different stitch widths and stitch lengths work for different fabrics. Sew your seams as normal. Press seams open or to one side. Sew the stitches so that as the needle comes down on the right of the edge, going just over it, and thus enclosing the edge of the fabric.

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  Finished edge with zigzag stitches.

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  You can also finish by trimming down close to your stitching line with pinking shears. This is great for heavier weight fabrics that don’t fray too much, but would show a lot of bulk if left untrimmed.

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  Finished Pinked Edges.