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From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-14-2005, 12:31 PM (1 of 9)
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Since my serger is on layaway, I need good ways to seam. What is a french seam? I've heard of it referred to, but have no idea what it is.... Anyone know? Thanks! Kelly |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-14-2005, 01:40 PM (2 of 9)
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A French seam sort of encloses itself. First sew an about 1/4 inch seam with wrong sides together. Your edges will be on the outside. Now I trim the seams close. Some people don't trim. The easiest way to trim is to press the seam open and trim up one side and down the other. I find if I put the seam on a seam roll to trim it is easier. Now you turn the garment with right sides together. I press it again along the seam -- it will look nicer if you did press the first seam open. Sew another about 1/4 inch or wider seam. If you topstitch the seam down it looks like a flat fell seam and will be very strong. The biggest problem is remembering to sew the first seam with wrong sides together. Most of us have such a strong habit of sewing right sides together that it's easy to just do it habitually. I still do it and I usually make French seams now. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: paroper
Date: 04-14-2005, 05:38 PM (3 of 9)
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The first seam is sewn with the seam OUTSIDE and then it is pulled back inside itself and sewn again. I guess everyone has their own technique. I use 1/4 inche first and then 3/8 which makes the seam (still) 5/8. You can serge the first seam but you cannot serge the second. The second seam is sewn on a regular sewing machine.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-14-2005, 10:08 PM (4 of 9)
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Thanks! I want to make sure I have this right. Senario: Making a straight skirt. Lets say the flowered pattern is on the outside and the wrong side does not have a pattern. I lay the two peices with the flower side outside, sew 1/4 inch seam. Then I turn it inside out with the flowers inside and the wrong side is out. Then I sew another seam next to the first seam towards the interior of the skirt and not lateral of the first seam? Here's my diagram. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I...................I I...................I I interior part..I lateral side (outside the first seam?) I...................I I...................I \ I...................I seam I...................I / I...................I I...................I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 04-15-2005, 01:01 AM (5 of 9)
| This must be your lucky day. I was checking out the posts in Bridal wear and message #4 under christening gowns has a link for an explanation and pictures of a french seam. |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-15-2005, 07:03 AM (6 of 9)
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Pam -- I said "about" 1/4 inch seams because, while I'm thinking '1/4 inch' I'm usually doing just a little bit bigger. That is except when I try to skip the time consuming trimming step. Then, somehow I get a 1/4 inch the second time and have a little fringe along my seam. Happens every time. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-15-2005, 07:34 AM (7 of 9)
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This must be your lucky day. I was checking out the posts in Bridal wear and message #4 under christening gowns has a link for an explanation and pictures of a french seam. OMG, how helpful this was. Thank you! http://www.sewneau.com/how.to/french.seam.html |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: HeatherL
Date: 04-15-2005, 11:17 PM (8 of 9)
| I HIGHLY recommend trimming your seam after making the first seam (before you turn and press). I just made a garment out of a fabric that ravels, and...well...I now have lovely seams with little strings sticking out all over! Duh!! |
User: HeatherL
Member since: 03-13-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: Jessica3
Date: 04-25-2005, 11:55 AM (9 of 9)
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OH so thats how you do it! Thanks Hippygirl Now I understand!!
Jessica
**************** Janome 8080 Janome 634D Brothers SE-270D |
User: Jessica3
Member since: 04-23-2005 Total posts: 15 
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