French Seams

French seams featured quite a lot in the Great British Sewing Bee and I have been asked several times about them. French seams are a fantastic way to give your garments a very neat and professional look. It works by encasing the raw edge of the fabric. They work best with lightweight and delicate fabrics and I am using this style of seam on my latest project. Creating French seams is easy! Here's how:  

Pin your fabric wrong sides together. 

Sew using a narrow 1/4" seam. Press the seam flat and then trim fairly close to the seam. 

Press the seam down to the side. Turn your fabric over so the right sides are now together. Press again. 

Return to your machine and stitch a 3/8" seam. This will ensure that the raw edge is encased. Press to the side. 

There you are - lovely, clean and neat seams.