Many sewing projects that you encounter will have you sewing 2 panels of fabric together... creating a seam. Unless you have a serger, the edges of your seam are going to be ragged... and possibly unraveling.

Now, if you're sewing a lined drapery panel or sewing a pillow... a sewing project where the seams will end up being hidden, then the ragged edges are no big deal.

But what if you plan on sewing a sheer drapery panel? Those seams would look unsightly. What do you do?

You sew a french seam instead. A french seam is a seam that encloses the raw edges into itself. It's very simple and will make your projects nice and neat.

Step 1. Lay your fabric panels wrong sides together.

Step 2. Sew a 3/8" seam along the side edge

Step 3. Open up the sewn panel and press the seams open. Press well

Step 4. Fold the panel on the seam line right sides together.

Step 5. Press the folded edge

Step 6. Sew in 5/8" from the folded edge enclosing the raw edges of the 3/8" seam

Step 7. Press the seam to one side

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Visit www.simplesewingprojects.com to read this article with easy to follow diagrams
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Now you have a clean, professional seam with no ugly raw edges.

Use a french seam whenever you are going to have the backside of the seam exposed.

Happy Sewing!

Jennifer Thoden

Jennifer Thoden

Jennifer Thoden shares her love for design and creativity in her detailed step by step articles on sewing window treatments, sewing projects and beaded jewelry design. She has authored and published "How To Make Roman Shades", "How To Sew Pleated Drapes", along with a few other window treatment how-to ebooks. Visit her web sites today to enjoy her easy to understand writing and fun projects.