MATERIALS:
• 14-16 strips of fabric measuring 4"x10"
TOOLS:
• Sewing Machine
• Iron
This video explains how to make the following seams:
• Plain Seam
• Basting Stitch
• Slot Seam
• Flat-Felled Seam
• French Seam
• Plain Seam with Clean Edge Finish
• Welt Seam
• Open Welt Seam
• Plain Seam: is the most common seam used. The width of the seam allowance is usually 5/8 inch for fashion sewing and 1/2 inch for industry sewing. Join the fabric right sides together and sew. For this tutorial I'm sewing 1/2 inch from edge.
• Basting Stitch: is to temporarily hold two pieces of fabric together or to gather fabric into ruffles or gathers.
Set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length and sew, again for this tutorial I'm sewing 1/2 inch from edge.
• Slot Seam: is used for trimming purposes in medium weight material. It is often used on children's clothes. If made well it gives a neat, tailored appearance.
Sew a plain seam using a basting stitch. Sew a plain seam using a basting stitch. Using a strip of fabric the same width of the two seam edges. In this case I used a 1"x10" strip of fabric. Lay the strip in place. Pin if needed. Now stitch 1/4 inch away from the seam line with a straight stitch. Make sure not to sewing over any of the pins. Repeat on opposite side. Then remove the basting stitch.
• Flat-Felled Seam: is used in jeans, totes, backpacks, tents, etc. because of its durability. By running two lines of stitches through each piece of fabric, while simultaneously encapsulating the raw edges and preventing them from unraveling.
Place the fabric wrong sides together. Sew a plain seam, 1/2 inch from edge. Press seam allowance to one side & fold both edges of the seam 1/4 inch. Then stitch along the fold of the fabric.
• French Seam:is a type of sewing seam in which the raw ends of the fabric are tucked in, leaving a clean, polished, professional look. In addition to looking tidier, a French seam also protects delicate skin, and it prevents raveling of the fabric.
Place the fabric wrong sides together and sew 1/4 inch from the edge. Trim the seam allowance to 1/8 inch. Press the seam allowance open. Fold fabric so right sides are together. Sew 1/4 inch from the edge. Press the seams in place.
• Plain Seam with Clean Edge Finish: is great to use for a clean, finished look.
Fold the fabric over 1/4 inch, so wrong sides meet. Stitch on top of fold; Then Repeat step. Now sew fabric right sides together. Press seam open.
• Welt Seam: is a great variation on the plain seam. It’s used to add an extra ounce of strength to seams that might need it.
Sew a plain seam 1/2 inch from edge. Press seam allowance to one side. Top stitch 1/4 inch away from seam line with a straight stitch.
• Open Welt Seam: this seam forms a small tuck and emphasizes a construction detail.
Sew a plain seam using a basting stitch 1/2 inch from edge. Press seam allowance to one side. Top stitch 1/4 inch away from seam line with a straight stitch. Remove the basting stitch.