Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: elleoelle
Date: 01-30-2007, 04:28 PM (1 of 5)
|
Hi - I have been sewing for about 6 months and LOVE it! I have been making clothes for my daughter, who is a very active 4-1/2 year old. I want the clothes I make her to last. I heard a French seam is the best for children's clothing. It seems labor intensive. Is it better than a serged seam? Thanks for any tips! Cheryl |
User: elleoelle
Member since: 01-30-2007 Total posts: 2 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-30-2007, 04:44 PM (2 of 5)
|
Glad you're enjoying yourself! My 2 cents: yes, french seams are labor intensive and they add bulk to the seams. They're neat and tidy though, so keep it in your back pocket for that extra special occasion piece, or for fabrics that fray easily. Doubling down those stitches also creates a potential problem: Seam ripping is part of the job for all of us, so think about that when you choose your approach seams. For sturdiness, double check your regular stitch length. Shoot for about 10 stitches per inch (on my dial it's slightly more than a 2, on a scale of 0-4)-slightly longer for very heavy fabrics and slightly less for very thin fabrics. Check to see that your tension is adjusted properly to make stitches lie neatly on both sides of the fabric. Having stitch length and thread tension right will make a sturdy garment and the clothes you make will last to be passed down. Pinking sheers or a zigzag along seam allowances, once a good fit is achieved, will keep fraying in check as well.
Andrea
|
User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
|
From: MaryW
Date: 01-30-2007, 05:16 PM (3 of 5)
|
Serged seams are fine. I sold kids clothes for a few yrs. and they always stood the test.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: mommydionne
Date: 01-30-2007, 08:14 PM (4 of 5)
|
My kids outgrow the stuff I make long before it wears out and except for special occasion wear I serge just about everything.
Jeanette
|
User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
|
From: elleoelle
Date: 01-30-2007, 08:35 PM (5 of 5)
| Thanks for the input ladies! |
User: elleoelle
Member since: 01-30-2007 Total posts: 2 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-21374.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft