Create a Stitched and Pinked Seam Finish
A durable seam finish for lightweight woven fabrics
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.
How to Sew a Single-Fold, Clean-Finish Seam
This method works well with lightweight fabrics that do not fray much.
How 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:
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.
35 seconds!?
Very nice & helpful video's. Really appreciated the pink finish!
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!!!
I love the sound of the sewing machine whirring away!
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!!
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!
It's always awesome to learn new techniques and to review old one! Both keep my skills fresh! Thanks for posting these videos!
Always nice to see diffrent ways of reaching the end result thanks.
Victoria and Evamarie, you did it again!
My sewing universe has been expanded. Thank you!
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!
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.
ha ha.. a pinked seam.. this requires a pinking shears that work.. never found one, no matter how much i paid.!!
Susan Kahlje said she never uses pinking shears in couture sewing. That is enough for me.