How to Sew a French Seam | Sewing Machine

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  • čas přidán 2. 09. 2013
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    Hi, I'm Jennifer from Workroom Social, and today I'm going to show you how to make a French seam. We have our two pieces of fabric here that we want to sew together, and we want to sew this with a French seam.
    To get a good idea of what that would look like, we should identify a wrong side of the fabric. Here we have our two wrong sides. Now, this is one of the few things that you will sew with wrong sides together. So you want to take your two X's and match them up, and then you are going to sew a narrow seam allowance. We are going to sew about a quarter of an inch. I'm just lining up my fabric with the outside of my presser foot, and that's about a quarter of an inch, and then you're just going to sew a straight stitch, and I'm on a 2.5 mm stitch length.
    Then after you sew the wrong sides together, you want to press this seam flat. You don't need to iron it, but if you just finger press this to get the seam to open a little bit, then that helps this side lie a little bit flatter. Now what we're going to do is we're going to take some scissors and we're going to trim away about an eighth of an inch from the seam allowance, so we're cutting the seam allowance in half.
    Now is the time that we're going to sew right sides together. So with our right sides facing us, we're going to lay right sides together, and we are going to do our best to push out this seam so it's nice and flat. Grab some pins. You can pin it in place to hold it. We have our seam all pinned into place, so now it's time to sew.
    Before we do that though, you should think about your seam allowance, so I'm going to do my total seam allowance is 5/8th of an inch, which is a very common seam allowance, and we sewed the first narrow seam at a quarter of an inch, so 5/8ths minus a quarter is 3/8ths, so to get the total 5/8ths, right now I need to take this back to the sewing machine, and sew a 3/8ths seam allowance. I'm going to line up my fabric with that 3/8ths marker that is on my seam guide, and I'm just going to sew a straight stitch following that guide.
    Then when you're done, you can take this to the ironing board, and you're going to press your seam to one side because they can't open anymore. Our french seam encloses the raw edge within this bit. This is the right side of our fabric, and then this is the wrong side of our fabric with our French seam.
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Komentáře • 168

  • @FarhanRzman
    @FarhanRzman Před 3 lety +46

    “ take your two exes and matched them up “ 😂

  • @deborahweber3422
    @deborahweber3422 Před 3 lety +31

    Thank you! I've watched several tutorials on French seams and yours is the most concise, straight forward one I've watched. You simply explain how to sew a French seam without throwing in a lot of added calculations for seam adjustments to complicate the learning experience.

  • @emmalea2765
    @emmalea2765 Před 3 lety +54

    Amazing. Call my crazy but this looks so much easier than trying to do a zig zag stitch on the edge of the fabric. Seems more durable too. Thank you for the tutorial!

  • @mmaceoin
    @mmaceoin Před měsícem +1

    Very nice explanation of a french seam. Can't wait to try it!

  • @lcireland7
    @lcireland7 Před 7 lety +87

    Ironing as you go really helps.

  • @evepaludan7713
    @evepaludan7713 Před 5 lety +179

    I cannot imagine doing French seams without ironing everything.

    • @monellerichmond7208
      @monellerichmond7208 Před 4 lety +3

      Neither can I!

    • @LoveoftheDarkFiberArts
      @LoveoftheDarkFiberArts Před 4 lety +18

      Agree. French seams should be ironed at every step along the way.

    • @cherigreen4471
      @cherigreen4471 Před 4 lety +4

      Gosh, I was just thinking the same thing! Mine wouldn't turn out well without ironing!

    • @Mensch002
      @Mensch002 Před 4 lety +10

      I like to spray the seems with water first (inside and outside) the fabric behaves better, then I iron them.

    • @scarlettohara7862
      @scarlettohara7862 Před 3 lety +2

      @@LoveoftheDarkFiberArts they should but sometimes you cant do that..
      I'm sewing tulle (PES) dresses etc and it drives me crazy that i cant iron the seams

  • @smallfootprint2961
    @smallfootprint2961 Před 5 lety +6

    I'm just getting back to sewing after years away, so it's helpful to see these demonstrations.

  • @monellerichmond7208
    @monellerichmond7208 Před 4 lety +164

    Love your videos, but you are making it difficult for both yourself and for us by using a fabric that looks the same on both sides.

  • @katylowe3504
    @katylowe3504 Před 2 lety +7

    I like the idea of trimming the first sewn seam before turning the fabric right sides together. What I don’t understand is the finger pressing the seam open, since it is closed back up in the sewing right sides together.

    • @shemar3572
      @shemar3572 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Better to press the seam

  • @OnezumiDaisuke
    @OnezumiDaisuke Před 4 lety +5

    Wow, I just watched a video yesterday that mentioned a French seam, then this popped up today. Turns out, I've been undoing these on Indian tops for about 8 years, lol! Thanks, this was helpful. :)

  • @joycekama4124
    @joycekama4124 Před 2 lety +3

    Thank you so very much for your help. I had forgotten how to do the French seam. Great clear instructions.

  • @dispirited_official
    @dispirited_official Před 2 lety +2

    This is very straightforward and very helpful. I just started sewing my very first project today and the tutorial required a french seam. I think I can do it now 😊

  • @boojunkles
    @boojunkles Před 5 lety +2

    Agh, I needed this to hep me with clothes making. Thank you so much, it's a really straightforward tutorial!

  • @mariascakery7001
    @mariascakery7001 Před 6 lety +1

    Excellent tutorial, I did my first French seam after watching this video with no problems.

  • @lah1667
    @lah1667 Před 3 lety +12

    I only have straight stitch on my machine so this is perfect as I can't overlock! Thanks 😊

  • @elmyra.jackson
    @elmyra.jackson Před 8 lety +1

    Good job explaining the French seam! Thank you.

  • @sysretoucherie2883
    @sysretoucherie2883 Před 6 lety +161

    in France we call English seam

  • @dbrikhs
    @dbrikhs Před 5 lety +2

    Good to know I was doing this correctly. Thanks for giving super clear instructions. 😊

  • @vijayagauri7988
    @vijayagauri7988 Před 6 lety

    Thank you. This technique gives a very neat finish.

  • @amandab.1868
    @amandab.1868 Před 5 lety +59

    Contrasting fabric would have made this so much more understandable.

  • @CaitlynGo
    @CaitlynGo Před 9 měsíci

    Thank you so much! This tutorial was much easier for me to understand than the others I watched

  • @traviswebster4622
    @traviswebster4622 Před rokem

    Thank you for the wonderfully paced and descriptive video, much better than others

  • @loriengland3243
    @loriengland3243 Před 4 lety

    Thank you for your video. I had never heard the term French seam. I now know what I called flat felled seam is really similar to the French seam.

  • @NancyVMusic1993
    @NancyVMusic1993 Před 2 lety

    I’m a beginning sewist, and this was a big help!

  • @sunnyflower77
    @sunnyflower77 Před 2 lety

    The clearest demo I’ve seen - thanks

  • @sophieo.4527
    @sophieo.4527 Před 7 lety +6

    My sewing will forever be changed.

  • @Chieks
    @Chieks Před 6 lety

    very well explained& demonstrated, thank you!

  • @Amy-po3hu
    @Amy-po3hu Před 4 lety +22

    To save fabric, why wouldn't the first seam be 1/4? no trimming.

    • @crazycrafts5945
      @crazycrafts5945 Před 2 lety +4

      it is 1/4 but she trimmed it to 1/8. i guess 1/8 would be tricky to sew nicely

    • @sophiajensen3508
      @sophiajensen3508 Před rokem

      Trimming just makes it less bulky to sew back over!

  • @nataliebourgeois3581
    @nataliebourgeois3581 Před 5 lety

    Doing my first french seam now!

  • @guygatineau281
    @guygatineau281 Před 3 lety

    I like her lay back approach to sewing!

  • @imaginedlife-style7026
    @imaginedlife-style7026 Před 2 lety +1

    So beautiful. I'm using industrial sewing machine. This is a great help for me. Thank you very much

  • @yamgmlbeacham8799
    @yamgmlbeacham8799 Před 6 lety +1

    Very easy to understand and follows ,great lesson .
    Cheers 👍😀

  • @sharonrayford5214
    @sharonrayford5214 Před 3 lety

    Thank you so very much,this was not complicated as some other tutorials I've seen.

  • @SarahNDipity
    @SarahNDipity Před 10 lety +16

    These sewing tutorials are exceptional. You are a superb teacher. Thank you. :)

  • @yahoo.com07
    @yahoo.com07 Před 6 lety

    Sew easy to understand! Thank you so very much for sharing this!

  • @anniegraves6068
    @anniegraves6068 Před 6 lety +1

    Great tutorial! Thank you!

  • @jijiloki4058
    @jijiloki4058 Před 6 lety

    this is the best howcast channel becuase ive already done of my homework and the video is very good in hd

  • @CaressLorthaya
    @CaressLorthaya Před 10 lety +32

    Best french seam tutorial thus far

  • @seemarajderkar3019
    @seemarajderkar3019 Před 9 měsíci

    Very Good, clear demo and explanation of the of French seam.
    Thanks for sharing !!

  • @learntocrochet3952
    @learntocrochet3952 Před 10 lety

    Very nice tutorial. Thank you!

  • @enlightenedneeds1512
    @enlightenedneeds1512 Před 5 lety

    Thank you so very much for sharing this!

  • @mkim16
    @mkim16 Před 10 lety +1

    Awesome!!!! Thank you so much for this!!

  • @akbunny5221
    @akbunny5221 Před 5 lety

    Great tutorial, many thanks......

  • @palpallama5364
    @palpallama5364 Před 6 lety

    I love ur work

  • @yewyeewei4935
    @yewyeewei4935 Před 4 lety

    Such a informative video!

  • @reeciti
    @reeciti Před 2 lety

    Thanks very much for this clear, step-by-step demonstration. I'm working on home decor pillows using a beautiful slubbed silk so this technique is perfect. My problem is how to attach lip cordage when sewing french seams. Any tips would be much appreciated. Thank you!

  • @cesfab7602
    @cesfab7602 Před 4 lety +12

    1:51am and i'm watching how to sew a french seam. how did i arrive here?

  • @diannaa6189
    @diannaa6189 Před 6 lety +52

    Why not use contrasting fabric. Less confusing on such a simple tutorial

  • @justsomebody7884
    @justsomebody7884 Před 5 lety

    Great ! Thanks alot know i know how to do it at school !

  • @veemac3071
    @veemac3071 Před rokem

    Love it! Thanks!

  • @lolodaniellongjohn9390
    @lolodaniellongjohn9390 Před 3 lety +1

    I love ur videos but I think two different colors of fabrics will make a perfect job

  • @Pottery4Life
    @Pottery4Life Před 5 lety

    Thank you.

  • @cindybarcela9511
    @cindybarcela9511 Před 11 lety

    Thanks

  • @ViVo-xr6ez
    @ViVo-xr6ez Před 8 lety +48

    if you just ironed them open then fold and iron again you wouldn't need to pin

  • @jeanineruby
    @jeanineruby Před rokem +2

    Thank you for this tutorial. I have a couple questions: why can't you start with a 1/8" seam? I sew 1/8" seams all the time - then there's no need to cut away any fabric. At the price of fabric these days, I don't want to cut away any! Also, is the inside seam just a loose narrow flap? Can't it be top stitched down?

  • @kiritawhai7488
    @kiritawhai7488 Před 2 lety

    Yay, now I can finish seams with my easy sew toy sewing machine! 😂😂😂

  • @maryalgar8779
    @maryalgar8779 Před rokem

    Very good explanation. QUESTION: If I am working on something that has two layers (i.e. top fabric and a lining), can I work the French seam by treating both layers as one layer?

  • @gwenmetivier9333
    @gwenmetivier9333 Před 7 měsíci

    Thank you

  • @fielflameno5831
    @fielflameno5831 Před 4 lety +1

    any tips on how to use this seam finish on gathered fabrics?

  • @khemattielall7892
    @khemattielall7892 Před 7 lety

    Nice

  • @MadeByTriniLena
    @MadeByTriniLena Před 5 lety

    Awesome, I'm having an issue, I'm sewing a canvas tote bag, but the seams inside are not neat, how can I cover them, even if the 2 sides of the bag are sew up already?

  • @TheAlfonsomaria
    @TheAlfonsomaria Před 4 lety

    Hello do you think is it possible to make a french Sean in a tight corner angle? Thank you.

  • @barbra429
    @barbra429 Před 7 lety +12

    Can you tell me how to "Join" french seams. Let's say you want to make a tote, and you want french seams at the bottom, and both sides

  • @SHAWNBONDrun2God
    @SHAWNBONDrun2God Před 6 lety

    when do you sew a french seam vs a flat felled seam?

  • @millennialdisposition
    @millennialdisposition Před 3 lety

    Do you backstitch the ends?

  • @momcraft7911
    @momcraft7911 Před 9 lety +3

    MUCH easier than the way I WAS making a seam! lol (New to this.)

  • @thehomeplatespecial597

    Looks neat. Most ppl I have ever watched demonstrate their sewing techniques put a couple of back stitches at the beginning and end of the stitch run on the sewing machine by turning the wheel opposite for a moment so the back stitches help to hold the seam thread from unraveling at the borders or ends / edges. I noticed this was not done here so is that only for certain types of seams? You just snipped your thread off right at the edge.

    • @Emikero
      @Emikero Před 5 lety

      I'm betting it's because it's a tutorial piece and not an actual project, so she skipped it to save time.
      My machine wasn't built to do backwards, so I have to hand sew the anchors of my seams 😅 You start noticing how often you stop and start seams when that's the case 😂

  • @jesusfirstto-the-pointendt4552

    Thank you for this video! Very helpful and great presentation! Can you please give me an example as to when a french seam would be used? Thank you so much and God bless! - Tina

  • @sonalisahoo1784
    @sonalisahoo1784 Před 3 lety

    Nice beautiful

  • @seemtobeasecret
    @seemtobeasecret Před rokem

    Can we do this french seam for armhole sleeves? U know, sleeves got curves so can i use french seam for those too? Or will that be too bulky/messy?

  • @θα_το_ράψεις_επιτέλους

    thank you for this tutorial! I started to watch it, but i could not take my eyes off your beautiful face lines! Back to tutorial now, this technique is making the side seams voluminous, doesn't it? Could we topstitching them? And the last question. What fabric you are using here?

  • @shr00m_fr0g8
    @shr00m_fr0g8 Před 5 lety

    Hi Ali

  • @barbra429
    @barbra429 Před 7 lety

    Hi,
    I’m trying to figure out the French seam process. I can’t seem to figure out how much “extra” to add to seam allowances to make up for the French seams.
    Example: if I am sewing a rectangle that is a finished size of 8 wide x 5 height and it will be sewn on the bottom and sides, but not the top, and I am using a ½ inch seam allowance on the bottom and sides, I would cut the fabric 9 x 5.5 (hope that’s right).
    But if I want to add French seams on the sides only, do I need to cut the fabric larger? This might have a simple answer, but it’s new to me. Thanks so much.

    • @patriciapflum6898
      @patriciapflum6898 Před 6 lety

      Cut the fabric 9 1/4" x 5.5" for a finished size of 8" x 5".

  • @tiffanywest2914
    @tiffanywest2914 Před rokem +1

    FYI, if you use a smaller seam, your pattern won't come together correctly. You have to use the seam allowance the instructions call for.

    • @angiebreidenthal6536
      @angiebreidenthal6536 Před rokem

      The first seam was 1/4", or 2/8". The next one was 3/8". 2/8" + 3/8 = 5/8", a standard garment seam allowance.

  • @millietk11
    @millietk11 Před 2 lety

    Does anyone have tips for sewing French seams in tight curves like the armpits of shirts? I find the armpit just ended up bulky and bumpy.

  • @thelydiaspringexperiment6437

    i wish you showed this for curves and sleeves

  • @Ashleighmermaid
    @Ashleighmermaid Před 8 lety +8

    please explain why you sew 1/4 inch then trim it in half. why not just sew 1/8inch to begin with and eliminate the step of cutting

    • @mumblesandwool1243
      @mumblesandwool1243 Před 8 lety +4

      im sure you could. but for this, really they just want you to cut as CLOSE to the seam as possible to eliminate the raw edges and fraying that may happen. (lets say you had an inch of seam allowance for YOUR pattern, and you wanted a french seam. youd still have to do the inital inch first for your seam, then youd have to cut the extra fabric inside as close as possible to the seam to an eight of an inch. that will reduce the extra fabric that you had to take in for the seam.) does that make more sense?

    • @patriciapflum6898
      @patriciapflum6898 Před 6 lety +3

      Because the seam allowance is 5/8" not 1/2". You cut it to eliminate the bulk that will be enclosed.

    • @americanadian2
      @americanadian2 Před 6 lety +14

      Also because a narrow seam like 1/8" can be harder to sew than a 1/4" seam

  • @johnroekoek12345
    @johnroekoek12345 Před 3 lety

    Why would I make a French seam? Does it look better? Does your fabric stay in place more while wearing it?

  • @Fantasy463
    @Fantasy463 Před 2 lety

    hahah I am new to sewing and I have been doing french ones without being aware that it exists

  • @joesalazar5674
    @joesalazar5674 Před 2 lety

    How do you close the seam from the outside

  • @historicalfashionpassion

    I’d like to see that done joined and curved....all these examples and presentations are on straight lines of a short length!

  • @bigbeewang4955
    @bigbeewang4955 Před 7 lety +32

    Make these videos in cm/mm for the rest of the world

    • @chungleandthebims167
      @chungleandthebims167 Před 7 lety +5

      Convert it

    • @bigbeewang4955
      @bigbeewang4955 Před 7 lety +5

      i sure can but it makes more sense considering only 3 countries use archaic imperial system

    • @chungleandthebims167
      @chungleandthebims167 Před 7 lety +11

      bigbee wang Well she's obviously going with the one she knows most

    • @davidm1922
      @davidm1922 Před 5 lety +2

      bigbee wang Well, since you're watching an English video, and Canada, the US, and the UK use imperial for fabric, and since the woman making the video is either from the US or Canada, I'd say your complaint is irrelevant.

    • @eyespy6677
      @eyespy6677 Před 5 lety +2

      I live in Canada and have been sewing for 36 years and have always used metric measurements.

  • @TisEyerish1
    @TisEyerish1 Před 5 lety +8

    I think there could be three improvements to these instructions...
    1) Use a fabric that is printed on one side only, so that it would be easier to distinguish the right side from the left side
    2) The seam should be ironed, rather than taking the lazy way out, as shown in this video. It does make a difference.
    3) The straight pins should have been placed vertically, rather than horizontally, so that they could be left in place during machine sewing. It's a small thing, but it does make a difference when working with long seams, e.g., draft-stoppers for doors.

    • @samiraadams6980
      @samiraadams6980 Před 5 lety +5

      Leaving a pin while sawing is dangerous.

    • @xDucksSortOfFlyx
      @xDucksSortOfFlyx Před 4 lety

      Pinning vertically is less accurate as well and depending on the fabric Can allow slippage

    • @marylancelot
      @marylancelot Před 4 lety

      I've had machine needles snap when having left pins in vertically

  • @ronkelardner6678
    @ronkelardner6678 Před rokem

    Can someone please tell me why these seams are not ironed nice and flat at each stage of this process?

  • @rubywood2187
    @rubywood2187 Před 4 lety

    French seams without Ironing!

  • @palpallama5364
    @palpallama5364 Před 6 lety

    Beautiful girl sewing febric beautifully keep it up

  • @MrBenji0
    @MrBenji0 Před 7 lety +1

    What fabric material is she using?

    • @americanadian2
      @americanadian2 Před 6 lety

      I assume a woven cotton fabric - like quilter's cotton. It's a very easy fabric to sew, though not usually preferred for clothing.

  • @hansjoble7663
    @hansjoble7663 Před 8 lety +5

    Wow..... SUUUUPER CONFUSED

  • @hiralmehta5516
    @hiralmehta5516 Před 6 lety

    Fabric name plz?

    • @Kshni
      @Kshni Před 5 lety

      Looks like plain quilting cotton. French seams are typically used for fabrics that fray very easily, or sheer fabrics like georgette or chiffon.

  • @mariamarfil1620
    @mariamarfil1620 Před 2 lety

    👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️

  • @donnawoodford6641
    @donnawoodford6641 Před 4 lety

    What's the purpose of a French seam?

    • @ifihadfriends437
      @ifihadfriends437 Před 3 lety

      Donna Woodford it encases the raw edges of the fabric in a very neat, smooth finish where you might normally use an over locker

  • @kami1284
    @kami1284 Před 2 lety

    In these tutorials, why do they use two pieces of fabric that are the same and you can't tell front from back???? Why????

  • @annek8388
    @annek8388 Před 3 lety

    You know somebody will mark 2 giant x’s on their fabric, right? 😂

  • @jimmyslaughter6262
    @jimmyslaughter6262 Před 3 lety

    I didn't realize I needed to know math

  • @emoiseslara5114
    @emoiseslara5114 Před 3 lety

    That was confusing !

  • @mamakaka73
    @mamakaka73 Před 3 lety

    I was taught to sew on both sides of the seams for a french seam... ????

  • @kuyajonstv9177
    @kuyajonstv9177 Před 3 lety

    I can do that without looking... hahahah.. joke

  • @sudheertp
    @sudheertp Před 11 lety

    Third

  • @MrSamthepengu1n
    @MrSamthepengu1n Před 11 lety

    Second

  • @sarahlewis1043
    @sarahlewis1043 Před 9 lety +11

    if you place your pins the other way round you can sew over them...

    • @patriciapflum6898
      @patriciapflum6898 Před 6 lety +17

      Sewing over pins is risky for you and the machine. Better wear safety glasses, and learn how to fix the timing on your machine if you do.

    • @lilyperez3498
      @lilyperez3498 Před 6 lety +8

      I broke 2 needles sewing over pins this way. Don't do it.