Trims are often forgotten about, but are a great way to add some interest to a seam or to break up two fabrics. In this tutorial, I'm adding ric rac (rick-rack) to my seam, but the same method can be used to add pom pom trim, braiding, or lace to your seams. Piping is also a great trim to use, but I find it needs a bit more effort to add. You can see my tutorial for piping ...
Seam Finishes
Flatlocking with your Serger – Tutorial
Flatlocking is a great technique to learn on your serger/overlocker and you don’t need any special accessories to do it. The resulting seam lies flat so it is a great option for clothing for kids who find a lot of their seams itchy. Flatlocking works on both woven and stretch fabrics, but because the raw edge is somewhat exposed inside the stitches, fabrics that fray a lot ...
Making and Adding Piping to a Seam – Tutorial
Piping is so hot right now, and with good reason! It's a great way to add a pop of colour to an item and it gives a professional touch. But it's not as scary as it looks. I'm going to show you how to make it and add it to any seam! Straight, curved, corners...you name it, you can pipe it! I'll also show you the quick way and the invisible way to finish off the joins. Pick which ...
The Flat Felled Bound Seam – Tutorial
This is such a pretty seam finish! It's a great way to add a pop of colour to an otherwise plain seam. This technique works great on the side seams of skirts and pants...think Tuxedo pants! I also like it on the sides of bags and pouches. You can make your own single fold bias binding for this project or use bought bias tape. If you buy double fold tape, you will need to ...
Turned Lapped Seam – Tutorial
The Turned Lapped Seam is very clever and offers a lot of great features. It's very strong, as the seam is sewn three times. The raw seam allowances are hidden inside, unlike the Lapped Seam, so it can be used on all kinds of fabrics. The seam gives a neat finish which is identical on both sides so it is perfect for reversible garments. You can also layer two fabrics together ...
Basic Lapped Seam – Tutorial
This is a very simple seam. It works best with fabrics that don't fray, such as felt and leather. The Basic Lapped Seam is made by simply overlapping two pieces of fabric. This limits any bulk at the seam and works well with awkward seams, such as joining irregular shaped edges. How to Sew a Basic Lapped Seam - Tutorial Lay the edge of one piece of fabric over the top ...
Bias Bound Seam – Tutorial
Bias Bound Seams give a quality finish to an un-lined garment and allow you to make a feature of your seams with contrasting or patterned bias tape, or to finish them neatly with a matching colour. If using a contrasting tape, make sure it wont show through to the right side. Because bias tape is used, this finish works perfectly on straight and curved seams. See the ...
Self Bound Seam – Tutorial
Today's seam is somewhat of a variation on the French Seam. Unlike the French Seam, a Self Bound Seam is worked on a completed seam. So if you decide down the track that your seams would be better off enclosed, as long as your seam allowance is wide enough you can do this. Great when you don't have the time to finish them off now, but want to wear your garment out ...
French Seam – Tutorial
French seams are a handy little skill to have in your repertoire. They're great for delicate fabrics because they enclose the raw edges inside two seams, so any fraying will stay hidden in the seam. And because you're sewing two seams, they make strong seams with a bit of insurance. They take a little extra time, but look lovely and neat on the wrong side and really add a ...
How to Finish Seams with your Serger/Overlocker
I've been asked how to do this by a few people so I thought it was about time I took a few pictures and made up a tutorial. Overlockers are great for seams, especially on knits, but if you don't secure your threads, they can come undone. There are a few different ways of doing this, one of which is to thread your chain through a needle and then work it through your stitches. ...
