Those who do a lot of sewing know that seams play a huge role in this art. There are various types of seams, and this page has many links to great tutorials. Let’s start with the basics.
What is a Basic Seam?
The basic seam is a stitch used to join two pieces of fabric together. Whenever two pieces of fabric are sewn together, there is a seam formed. Seams are essential when sewing clothing, quilts, bags...everything that is sewed together.
What is the most common seam?
The basic seam can be done with a straight stitch, which is the most common, but also with a zig-zag stitch or an overlock stitch. Although seams are formed when hand sewing, this page is devoted to seams and finishing techniques done on a sewing machine.
Seam Finishing Techniques
Seam finishing techniques are done to make a nice and professional looking seam and to keep the raw edges from fraying. This is done by sewing over the raw edges, using certain stitches, or enclosing them in some sort of binding. 
What are the types of seams for finishing raw edges?
Since sewing has been around for ages, there is a huge multitude of finishing techniques.
Some finishing edge sewing techniques:
- Serged
- Zig-zag Seam
- Pinked Seams
- French Seams
- Mock French Seams
- Flat Felled Seams
- Turn and Stitched Seam
- Double Stitched Seam
Hemming
Hemming clothing also forms a seam. A hemming stitch is a hand or machine stitch that is used to hold the hem in place. These stitches can be invisible or made to show on the garment, such as a lettuce hem.
Some hemming techniques found on this page are:
- Blind hem stitch (using a sewing machine)
- Blind hem stitch (hand sewing)
- Cuffed hem
- Hemming with fusible webbing
- Rolled hem
- Lettuce hem
Scroll down this page to learn more about hemming and seam finishing techniques that will make your sewing look like a professional tailor did the work!
Supporting Products and links: Some of the links below may be affiliate links.
We make a small commission on sales through the affiliate links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance
for your purchase and your support! Please see our full Affiliate
Statement for more information.
|
Learn how to sew a blind hem stitch with a sewing machine. You can use this stitch to hem pants, skirts, curtain, etc.
Making a hem using this stitch is fast, easy and almost invisible.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
Learn how to finish seams with this tutorial on sewing a turn and stitch seam. The end product is a clean finished seam.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
Learn how to hem shorts with a cuff for a casual and fun look with this instructional tutorial.
Heather Handmade
|
|
|
Here is a tutorial on how to sew the double stitched seam, a great seam finishing technique to prevent fraying as well as rolling with knit fabrics.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
|
|
How to sew a flat felled seam. A flat felled seam is commonly seen on sportswear and menswear. It is a strong flat seam that will not fray. This tutorial will show how to make a flat felled seam, commonly seen on jeans and denim jackets, that has two rows of stitches on the right side of the fabric.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
A video on how to sew a French seam that gives a project a neat, professional-looking finish, with no raw edges.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
This hand hemming stitch is practically invisible on both sides of the garment or project. Learn how to hand sew the blind hem stitch.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
This is the quickest and easiest way to hem curtains.
Tip Hero
|
|
|
|
|
This tutorial will show how to sew a hem on knit pants using the stretch stitch and a twin needle.
Needlepointers.com Associate
|
|
|
Comprehensive instructions with photos on how to use a hemming pressure foot.
Ellie & Mac
|
|
|
Don't have a sewing machine? But need to hem pants. Here is a tutorial on how to hem pants without sewing.
Happiest Camper
|
|
|
Making the hemline, preparing the hem and different techniques for finishing the hem.
New Mexico State University
|
|
|
|
|
Here is an easy and fast way to fix an undone or fallen hem on pants or trousers with a sewing machine.
Needlepointers.com Associate
|
|
|
This article will show you how to hem your curtains using hem tape and a sewing machine.
WikiHow
|
|
|
You can shorten curtains yourself. This article explains how to hem curtain with a sewing method and a non-sewing method.
Kwik Hang
|
|
|
A lapped seam is formed when one fabric layer is lapped over the other and topstitched in place. There are two ways to construct a lapped seam. This video will show you how to use the lapped seam when stitching a seam is difficult such as when sewing a blouse yoke or curved pieces
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
|
|
How to sew a lapped seam. A lapped seam is when one piece of fabric is lapped over the other and topstitched in place. This is the type of seam to use when sewing leather, fleece, felt and suede.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
How to Lengthen Pants That Are Too ShortThis video and photo tutorial will demonstrate how to make a pair of pants longer using hem or bias tape.
Needlepointers.com Associate
|
|
|
This video and photo tutorial will show you how to do the lettuce edge hem. This hemming technique forms a ruffled edge on knit fabric. Lettuce edge finish is cute and girly.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
Learn how to sew a mock french seam with this video tutorial. The mock French seam is a seam finishing technique that gives the project a neat, professional-looking finish.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
|
|
Watch this tutorial to learn how to finish seams using pinking shears. This simple finishing technique is quick and easy.
Needlepointers.com
|
|
|
Learn how to sew a rolled hem without a roll hem foot.
Heather Handmade
|
|
|
How to use the sewing machine's rolled hem foot.
Sew Very Crafty
|
|
|
With these instructions and photos learn how to slip stitch a seam closed.
Keyka
|
|
|
Trimming vs Grading! Learn the difference between them, how to grade seams, and why to trim seams.
Heather Handmade
|
|
|
Learn how to use the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to finish seams.
So Sew Easy
|
|