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Create a Stitched and Pinked Seam Finish

A durable seam finish for lightweight woven fabrics

Victoria North and Evamarie Gomez

Learn to stitch and pink a seam finish with this quick video demonstration. The tutorial brings to life one of the common seam finish techniques shared in the two-part Threads series by Sandra Miller, “Teach Yourself to Sew: Seam finishes.” This stitched and pinked seam finish works best on firmly woven, lightweight fabrics such as cotton broadcloth and silk charmeuse. Try this method to achieve great-looking, durable seam allowances.

“Seam finishes, Part 1” was published in Threads #165 (Feb./March 2013) and “Seam finishes, Part 2” first appeared in Threads #166 (April/May 2013).

Don’t miss Sandra’s techniques for sewing other common seam finishes. Sandra is a sewing teacher, pattern designer and tester for Cutting Line Designs, and she has authored many articles for Threads.

clean finish stitched seamHow to Sew a Single-Fold, Clean-Finish Seam

This method works well with lightweight fabrics that do not fray much.

 

stitched seamHow to Stitch Together Seam Allowances
This finish is useful when working with knits to keep edges flat and crisp. Try this method to achieve great-looking and durable seam allowances.

How to Sew a French Seam Finish

French seams work best on sheer, lightweight fabrics. The narrower you make them, the more professional they look. Learn how to sew a French seam with this quick video tutorial.

How to Serge Seam Allowances | Video

A serger trims and overlocks the seam allowances separately or together as it stitches.

For more in-depth sewing tutorials hosted by Sandra, see these Taunton Press products:

Sewing Essentials: The Perfect Blouse

How to Sew a Travel Wardrobe

Previous: Four Ways to Finish Seams For Your Sewing Project Next: Sew Single-Fold Finished Seams
Discuss

Discuss

  1. EdieT | | #1

    This is interesting for beginners, but what would be more helpful would be to show/discuss how to do these (or other) seam finishes on curves- eg princess seams etc- where the seam allowances need to be clipped to lie flat.

  2. User avater
    Pattiloves2sew | | #2

    35 seconds!?

  3. lindalouise | | #3

    Very nice & helpful video's. Really appreciated the pink finish!

  4. Sharon_Carbine | | #4

    My opinion differs from the preceding one. I am not a beginning sewer. Nonetheless, I was not familiar with the seam finishing techniques shown in the videos. Consequently, I was delighted to learn about them. Thank you!!!

  5. Lowing | | #5

    I love the sound of the sewing machine whirring away!

  6. User avater
    JoLaFleur | | #6

    quick and clear video - very helpful. As for other posts more detailed information can be found in books, other videos by threads, craftsy, aboutsew.com and you tube and classes!!

  7. JeanneDes | | #7

    This was fun to watch and helpful in showing me a shorter way to manage fray-rone fabrics other than the flat-felled seam, french, etc. I would like more!

  8. User avater
    CarrGrand | | #8

    It's always awesome to learn new techniques and to review old one! Both keep my skills fresh! Thanks for posting these videos!

  9. lonelysewer | | #9

    Always nice to see diffrent ways of reaching the end result thanks.

  10. User avater
    LuvThreadsMagazine | | #10

    Victoria and Evamarie, you did it again!

    My sewing universe has been expanded. Thank you!

  11. user-1125658 | | #11

    Is there a secret to making pinking shears actually CUT? I have NEW left handed ginger shears and the just 'chew' fabric. They are totally useless!

  12. User avater
    FigMint | | #12

    I, too, would like to know about keeping (or even obtaining) SHARP pinking shears. I gave up on them years ago for that reason...always dull and they chew the fabric.

  13. namaskar | | #13

    ha ha.. a pinked seam.. this requires a pinking shears that work.. never found one, no matter how much i paid.!!

  14. User avater
    MissyW76 | | #14

    Susan Kahlje said she never uses pinking shears in couture sewing. That is enough for me.

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