Thursday Tip // Why Finish Your Seams

We’ll first, let’s start with what does it even mean?

There are a variety of different seams but they generally fall into two categories: construction and finishing. Construction seams are the seams that actually make the item, when the item is complete they are hidden on the inside. Finishing seams (noun) are seams that are sewn after the construction seams are sewn. Think top stitching on jeans, bartacks, hems, decorative stitching.

Finishing your seams (verb) is different than finishing seams (noun), here’s how:

Almost all woven fabrics fray when friction is present. Friction can be just running a hand along the fabric after it’s cut, or throughout wear of a garment, the seam rubbing against your arm or leg. Some fray less than others, but it’s a good idea to stop them from disintegrating over time by locking in the threads.

Construction seams are used to sew the item together, then the seams are “finished” by running a zig zag stitch along the edge. This zigzag stitch locks in the threads in the fabric and prevents them from unraveling further. Your zigzag stitch should run right along the edge of the fabric and should not touch your construction stitches at all.

Many patterns expect you to know how and when in construction to finish your seams, so it’s a good practice to start making it a habit to finish your seams after you sew them!