Replies

1. 
   6hantung | Sep 09, 2005 06:47am | #1

   In my experience it is best to sew from the hem up to prevent the seam from stretching and becoming fluted. I have never used a zig-zag in a french seam.

1. 
   Jan7 | Sep 09, 2005 04:45pm | #3

   Thankyou for responding.  I did as you suggested, sewed from bottom up and did use a very slight zigzag though I'm not sure it was necessary.  I think a straight stitch would have worked equally well.  Anyway it turned out nicely. 

   My second problem was how to hem and could not get the Fr. seam through rolled hem foot.  Finally just carelfully machine stitched around a slight 1/4 through one thickness, hand rolled and hand stitched.  Was not a big job and looks wonderful with no ruffling.

   Thankyou again..mimi too!

2. 
   mimi | Sep 09, 2005 07:59am | #2

   I've been making french seams for years and always use a straight stitch.  Sew the first steam and then press to one side, it makes a much nicer finished seam.

   mimi

3. 
   Desiderata | Sep 14, 2005 09:15am | #4

   Hi, next time you sew this type of seam (bias/french), use a very small stitch length, giving more thread into the seam, thus allowing the stitch to stretch if necessary without snapping.

   I have also used a very small zz stitch, not too dense, on a bias seam with success.

   My only unsuccessful experience was once when I serged the edges of the seams together afterwards. I had to unpick everything. There was no 'give' and the dress didn't hang correctly.

   On a regular, opaque fabric there is no need to 'finish' bias seams, they won't fray.