How to Finish Seams without a Serger
Finishing seams on any project prevents unraveling and improves the appearance of the inside. Using a serger is one of the best ways to get finished seams on a sewing project, but there are many other options if you don’t have one.
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1. Pinked Seams
Pinking shears are a great way to finish seams and prevent unraveling on woven fabrics that aren’t washed and dried frequently. It works best on tightly woven fabrics, but isn’t recommended for something with a loose weave like linen.
2. ZigZag Seams
If you don’t have a serger but still want finished seams, zigzagging is a good alternative. Almost all machines have a zigzag stitch with adjustable stitch width and length, so sew a few samples until you find the perfect finishing stitch, then write it down.
3. Turn & Stitch
My grandmother used the turn and stitch method of seam finishing until she got a sewing machine with a zigzag stitch. Turn and stitch is a great way to get clean, finished seams because all you have to do is sew your seam at the seam allowance.
4. Machine Overcast
French seams are best used for straight seams and are not recommended for curved seams. I used an all-purpose foot and sewed the overcast stitch at the seam allowance, then trimmed away the excess.
How do I sew stretchy fabric without a serger?
Knits Sewn Without a Serger
- When sewing with knits, stitch settings and needle selection make all the difference.
- Loosen Up That Tension.
- Befriend the Lightning Bolt.
- Stabilize your Hems.
- Use a Twin Needle for Top Stitching.
What stitch to use if you don’t have a serger?
If you don’t have a serger, the zig-zag stitch is a popular seam finish, especially for thick or bulky fabrics, and it works best for medium to heavy fabrics.
How do you professionally finish a seam without a serger?
Without a Serger, Finish Seams
- Pinked Seams. Using pinking shears* is one of the simplest ways to prevent unraveling and finish seams.
- ZigZag Seams. So you don’t have a pair of pinking shears but still want finished seams.
What is a 90 14 needle used for?
90/14 u2013 suitable for medium weight fabrics, such as slightly heavier weight cotton, polyester, linen, and lightweight upholstery fabric; lighter weight fabrics, such as silk (chiffon, organza, crepe-de-chine), will require a smaller needle.
Can you sew seams with a serger?
Sew seams on knit fabrics, gather, rolled hems, and fancy edges are just a few of the things a serger can do.
Can you do a straight stitch on a serger?
A serger, which does not have a bobbin and uses a different number of loopers to create seams, seals the edges of the cloth pieces or joins them together, is widely used in most sewing projects.
How do you finish the edges of fabric without sewing?
If you want to finish the raw edges of fabric without using a serger, sewing machine, or even stitches, you can use a pair of pinking shears, which are one of the simplest ways to seal fabric edges without sewing you’ll ever come across. These shears cut the edges unevenly, making it difficult to fray.
What is the most common way to put together your fabric pieces when sewing seams?
Right sides together is the answer.
What sewing tools is used to hold the fabric together temporarily?
Answer: We use pins to hold fabric pieces together temporarily before sewing a seam, and we can also use pins to secure the sewing pattern to the fabric while cutting around it.
Do you really need an Overlocker?
Overlockers are a useful tool, especially if you want a super professional finish, but they aren’t required. However, if you want to market your products, it may be a good investment because it will give your designs a professional, finished look and give you an advantage.
Can I sew with an Overlocker?
An overlocker can be used for a variety of tasks, from garment construction to finishing the edges of fabric that will be seamed on a sewing machine.
Is there a sewing machine with built in Overlocker?
Although there is no sewing machine that has an overlocker, these specialty feet allow us to use a sewing machine that has an overlock function.