Get the latest including tips, techniques and special offers straight to your inbox.
About This Video Series
This series for beginning sewers provides a complete course in mastering the basics. Our experienced Threads editors walk you through the fundamentals, from threading your machine through attaching that final button. The skills explained in Teach Yourself to Sew are perfect for new sewers or for those looking to brush up on the basics. Lessons include hemming, attaching buttons and zippers, how to iron, and sewing a jacket from a pattern.
More About this Video SeriesVideos in the Series
More Video Series
View All-
Embroidery 101: How to Sew 5 Basic Embroidery Stitches
-
Bound Buttonholes
-
Industry Insider Techniques | Vol. 8
More From Threads
Featured
Discussion Forum
Threads Insider Exclusives
View All-
Become an Insider today!
Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, exclusive articles and more.
-
Make Giant Buttons a Garment Feature
-
Create a Foolproof Button-down Collar
-
Personalized Pattern Templates
-
Where, Why, and How to Apply French Binding
-
How to Hide the Zipper in a Dart
-
Add Pockets and Subtract the Zipper in Your Favorite Pants Pattern
-
A Step-by-Step Method to a Fly-Front Zipper
-
Use Fabric Selvages to Trim and Finish Garments
-
Alteration Shop Techniques: How to Shorten Jacket Sleeves
-
Why Don't You . . .? Take a Housecoat Out For a Spin
-
Patterns of the Past: Creating a Classic Newsboy Cap
-
How to Drape the Hip Detail from a 1940s Gown
-
Get Rid of the Fabric Bump Above a Mock Fly Zipper
-
How Did They Sew That? How to Create Dazzling Criss-Crossed Gores
-
How to Embellish with Pleated Bands for Stunning Organic Detail
-
How to Make a Banded Armscye
Highlights
-
Sign up for the Threads eletter
Get the latest including tips, techniques and special offers straight to your inbox.
-
-
i’m sorry but this just got confusing... you lost me in the (very basic, i’m aware... 😳) terminology whilst describing setting up that first stitch.
can you reiterate...?
thx again for this... it’s amazing. 🙏🏻💕
If you're asking about how to set up the French seam, here are the steps. This assumes your pattern has a 5/8-inch-wide seam allowance.
1. Place the fabric layers with wrong sides together, and edges aligned.
2. Sew the seam with a 1/4-inch-wide seam allowance. Then, trim the allowances to 1/8 inch wide.
3. Fold the fabric with right sides together, placing the seamline you just sewed right on the edge. Press flat.
4. Sew the seam again, this time with a 3/8-inch-wide seam allowance. Press the seam as sewn, then press the allowances to one side.
This encloses the fabric's raw edges within the seam allowances for a clean, non-raveling finish. It's best on straight or gently curved seams.
Carol J. Fresia, Threads Senior Technical Editor