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The finished French Seam, from the back.

French Seam

Published July 9, 2010 by missa

The French Seam is my favorite seam of all time.  It’s fully encased and leaves no visible stitching on the right side of the garment.  Any time I have to make an unlined garment, you can bet I’m using french seams (or some variant thereof).

Sample:

The finished French Seam, from the back.
The finished French Seam, from the back.

Critical Stats:

Width:Variable, but 1/4″ is common.
Seam Allowance Required: 1/2″ for 1/4″ finished seam, or twice the desired finished seam.

Process

With WRONG sides together, sew at 1/2 the seam allowance specified by the pattern.
With WRONG sides together, sew at 1/2 the seam allowance specified by the pattern.
Trim down by half.
Trim down by half.

Note: I very frequently combine these two steps by serging.  I like my seams extra strong!

Fold the fabric around the seam. Right sides will now be together.
Fold the fabric around the seam. Right sides will now be together.
Sew at the original seam line indicated by the pattern.
Sew at the original seam line indicated by the pattern.
A finished French Seam.
A finished French Seam. This sealed flange hangs on the inside of the garment.
The French Seam, seen from the right side. On a non-sheer fabric, this is completely invisible.
The French Seam, seen from the right side. On a non-sheer fabric, this is completely invisible.

Published in Seams

2 Comments

  1. Pinking a Seam Allowance | Sempstress
    Pinking a Seam Allowance | Sempstress July 9, 2010

    […] this is beautifully simple and way less involved than all those French Seams you keep blithering on about….  Why don’t you do this all the […]

    Reply

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