How to Sew: Finishing Seam Allowances
Watch our helpful video guide: How to sew finish your seam allowances. One of our Learn To Sew video guides.
This video shows how to finish seam allowances without using a overlocker or serger. You don’t have to invest in one of these machines to get a neat finish inside your garment! Finishing your seams is important to prevent the fabric fraying and extend the life of your garment.
One option is to sew machine stitching close to edge of your fabric: use a zigzag stitch or if your machine has one an overcast stitch (with overcast foot). Finish by trimming any excess fabric without snipping your stitching.
A second option is to fold under the edge of the fabric so it sits behind the allowance and stitch close to the edge. When you press your seam open you won’t see the raw edge and it’s less likely to fray.
Fnally, a great option for beginners is to use pinking shears to trim the excess fabric. These leave an edge that is resistant to fraying.