Introduction
Learn how to sew a curved seam to give your garments shape and life, not just straight lines. In this guide we’re using contrasting thread for visibility, but when it comes time to do your actual project, you’ll want to use thread that matches the color of your fabric.
What you need
-
-
Lay the two pieces of fabric with the right sides together.
-
Align the edges you would like to sew. Push out all the wrinkles and smooth the fabric flat.
-
-
-
Align the edge of the fabric with the edge of the presser foot, then depress the presser foot.
-
Engage the sewing machine's backstitch function.
-
Depress the pedal slowly. Sew two or three stitches backwards. Release the pedal and disengage the backstitch function.
-
-
-
-
Depress the pedal and sew slowly forward, guiding the fabric with your hands as you go.
-
Keep the fabric aligned to the edge of the presser foot as you sew.
-
Stop before you reach each pin. Pull the pins out, being careful not to misalign the fabric.
-
-
-
Continue to sew along the curved edge.
-
Pull out the last pin and sew up to the fabric's end.
-
When you come to the end of your seam, engage the backstitch function. Sew two or three stitches backwards. Release the backstitch function and sew forward off the fabric.
-
Turn the balance wheel until the needle is up.
-
Lift the presser foot up and clip the threads holding the fabric to the machine as close to the fabric as possible.
-
-
-
Lay out the newly sewn fabric on your work surface.
-
With a pair of fabric scissors, make a series of cuts about 1 cm apart into the raw edge of the seam until the fabric begins to curve. This will ensure that the seam lays flat.
-
-
-
Once the edge of the fabric begins to curve, begin cutting small triangles about every inch along the edge with the point facing towards the seam.
-
Continue cutting small triangles along the length of the fabric.
-
-
-
Once you have cut triangles all along the seam, turn the fabric inside out so that the seam is now on the inside.
-
As you turn the fabric inside out, adjust the fabric at the raw edge of the seam to get the smoothest seam possible.
-
Once your fabric is inside-out and your seam is flat, stand back and admire your beautiful handiwork.
-