Date: 11/5/09 0:32 AM

I am making a simple princess seam blouse out of 100% cotton. It is a very ravely fabric. I am planning to do Hong Kong Seams for seam finishes for most of the seams. However, what do you do suggest for a princess seam? Just pink it?

Kwik Sew 3289

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Date: 11/5/09 3:34 AM

Hey! Crazy, I'd just come to this forum to ask the same question. My fabric for my princess-seamed shirt is a very soft, very drapey cotton flannel. Yeah, kind of a lumberjack shirt with a feminine twist.

Anyway - I'm not sure if pinking is the best choice or not - was coming online to see what people thought. Thanks for asking your question, I'll be watching to see what people advise.
Kelly

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Date: 11/5/09 7:31 AM

I can't wait to hear the "official" answers.

So far I've just serged the seams together and pressed to one side. I guess that depends on how well the fabric presses. It also depends on how big the seam is (in how big the pointy part of the seam is over the bust.) Mine isn't too terribly big.

I had good luck once using my coverstitch and doing that over the seam. It was a very sporty look, and I will do it again some time.

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Annette
http://needlesnails.blogspot.com/

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Date: 11/5/09 9:25 AM

You might want to try a very narrow french seam pressed to the side. I love the french seam for very ravelly fabrics. I have even done a french seam with the inside overcast. Goodluck!

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Date: 11/5/09 10:06 AM

If it's really ravelling, pinking isn't going to cut it, especially with Kwik Sew's 1/4" seams. I'd press them towards the center and finish both together, either with a Hong Kong finish or overcasting/zigzag stitch. Actually, I'm not sure you have enough seam allowance for a Hong Kong finish with Kwik Sew - and definitely not enough for French seams.

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2009 Yards in: 109 Patterns in: 20
2009 Yards out: 175 New patterns sewn: 21

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Date: 11/5/09 10:46 AM

I changed my seam allowances to 1/2" to give me some "in case" room, so that is the good thing. Also, I do not have a serger.

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Reply to newbie2008
Date: 11/5/09 11:14 AM

Since you've extended your seam allowances and since you don't have a serger, I'd follow Candicer's suggestion of finishing with french seams.

Now because you've listed yourself as a Beginner, here are some suggestions:
1. Mark (with tracing paper, or even a really light pencil line) the location of the final seam lines, so you don't make your french seams too deep;
2. Go slowly and carefully while sewing the french seams, so you don't stretch the fabric over the princess curves (which are cut on the bias and able to be stretched out of shape if you pull too hard or sew too aggressively).

Good luck; I'm sure it will turn out beautifully, and you'll have contained those ravelly edges. --Lily

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Lily

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Date: 11/5/09 12:04 PM

How about pressing to one side, overcasting with the serger, and topstitching? The one time I tried topstitching on princess seams it was ghastly... does that mean one shouldn't attempt it?

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Date: 11/5/09 12:32 PM

My fall back finish when I have a curved seam that really ought to be covered is to zigzag Seams Great on it. NAYY.

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Reply to lilyofthevalley
Date: 11/5/09 8:35 PM

Thanks for the suggestion of French Seams. I have now just gone and ripped other seams and made French Seams for the back and shoulder - it looks so much better than the yucky zigzag I had used. My question now is do I wait to enclose the princess seams (front and back each have side panels - so total of 2 panels/side + front and back pieces), until after I have inserted the sleeves? Also, since the princess seams are already sewn do I need to rip them? If so, should I just use a Hong Kong Seam?

Thanks so much for this great help.

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