Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Linings - do you finish the seams?
marymary86 Intermediate GA USA Member since 7/20/08 Posts: 2202	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/29/12 5:20 PM I just went through my Reader's Digest Sewing books (two different editions) and a Threads "Easy Guide to Sewing Skirts" by Marcy Tilton. They don't say to finish the seams but they don't say not to. I'm guessing you leave them raw but why? And more important, will the seams ravel to the point of coming apart? I'm making a pair of pants out of 100% wool crepe and using a Bemberg lining. I prewashed both fabrics and ironed them before cutting with a steam iron (I can't afford dry cleaning right now so I want to be able to hand wash the pants, roll them in a towel, dry flat, and then press them myself). I hand overcast the seams on the pants themselves. This is my frustration with sewing books. You see how to sew a seam, install a zipper, etc. but you don't see how to put it all together. The pattern guide sheet is usually incomplete too. I'm using a Burda pattern and it doesn't even call for a lining. That's why I loved Lynn Rowe's instructions for making a knit top in the sew along. She didn't leave one detail out but she also explained why she did each step. That helped the beginner to know what steps could be omitted or changed up going forward. ------ Mary http://checkmatesystem.com
petro   Intermediate FRANCE Member since 6/24/07 Posts: 2204	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/29/12 5:28 PM A lot of people advise that finishing the seams inside a lined garment is not necessary. I do finish inside if I think there will be a chance of fraying becoming a nuisance, especially in garments where the seams are not all enclosed. I use the simplest finish I can get away with - for example pinking. I think the reason why instructions are not always complete is because of the need to adapt to the fabric. ------ so many patterns, clamouring to be sewn http://patternpandemonium.wordpress.com/
rmusic1 Advanced Beginner UNITED KINGDOM Member since 7/3/10 Posts: 705	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 8/29/12 6:20 PM personally my biggest question is: will it ravel? acetate is incredibly fluffy at the seam. It is best to do some sort of seam finish otherwise you get one heck of a mess. Depending on the seam type (princess, straight, curved) you can choose different options. Zig zag is pretty quick to do. I have an overlocker now which I love, but it is not essential and I managed without.
QuiltSewSewSue Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 4/28/08 Posts: 2771	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/29/12 6:26 PM For linings, I pink the seam. If you are concerned that is not enough I would sew a line of straight stitch then pink. I think you need to be careful you don't get too much bulk near the seams. ------ Sue (Toowoomba Qld) Love to sew.... http://quiltsewsewsue.blogspot.com/
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1370	Login to reply to this post 2 members like this. Date: 8/29/12 8:09 PM If the lining material frays, I finish it. I almost always do something-I can't stand unfinished seams even if I can't see them. I don't always sew or serge them-I might pink them. I use my pinking shears alot!
Renata   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 1/9/06 Posts: 545	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/30/12 2:01 AM I always pink my lining, if it is Bemberg or some other 'silky' fabric. I have about half a dozen woollen pants and have worn them all winter with no lining fraying problems. The same applies to winter skirts or jackets. Be careful not to cut too close to the stitching as I have found if too much pressure is applied in the seat area and not enough seam allowance the lining fabric can come apart, if that makes sense. I also overlock the woollen fabric.
ryan's mom PA USA Member since 11/30/04 Posts: 4371	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/30/12 6:18 AM I was told my an experienced sewing teacher 30 years ago that interior seam allowances of fully-lined garments have no need to be finished. That being said, if I'm working with a fabric that I swear frays just by looking at it, I will pink it or use a 3-thread overlock serger stitch. ------ Big 4 Pattern size 12, RTW bottom: 6, RTW jacket 8, RTW top (no size fits me well!) Measurements: 34 HB/36 FB (34C bra)/27.5/36 (and working hard to keep it that way.) Machines: Sewing (Janome Memory Craft 3000 and Kenmore 158 Series machine), Serger (Babylock Imagine), Embroidery (Janome 300E) If you think your sewing is better than everyone else's around here, get out of my way b****. I hate sewing snobs. My blog: www.phatchickdesigns.blogspot.com
blue mooney Intermediate TX USA Member since 12/21/02 Posts: 1724	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/30/12 8:06 AM One of the purposes of the lining is to hide the seam allowances and construction. So unless the fabric is very ravelly, there is no reason to finish them. ------ --Robyn sewing blog: http://bluemooney.wordpress.com/ illustration blog: http://storybooky.wordpress.com/
marymary86 Intermediate GA USA Member since 7/20/08 Posts: 2202	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 8/30/12 8:45 AM The comments are great! My only gripe is that the sewing books I consulted didn't even discuss it!! Isn't a sewing book supposed to teach you the basics? I'm going to see if I still have my Vogue sewing book and see if it says anything. I'm also going to peek inside the last pair of career pants I still have hanging in my closet since I left my job. They're Talbots and they're lined. I'm just curious to see how they are finished. I started to finish the lining seams but after pressing the wool, I was concerned that a seam finish would show through. I like the idea of pinking but like the idea of leaving them along even better. At this stage of my sewing experience, I'm learning that the less I do, the less there is to mess up. ------ Mary http://checkmatesystem.com
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 652	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 8/30/12 9:01 AM I always serge lining seams.

Go to Page: 1 of 22 of 2

Please LOGIN or Join PatternReview

Printable Version

* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.