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Member since 7/4/04
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Posted on: 2/28/11 3:40 PM ET
I typically either zig-zag my edges or use my serger - not that there's anything wrong with that!

However, it occurred to me that maybe I could try a nicer seam finish on the next pair of jammy pants I make for my kids. They offer fairly short, straightish seams...and plus, if I were to make a little set for a friend's baby, I'd want it to look a bit nicer inside than zig-zag edges...

Any thoughts/suggestions? What's next?
  
Member since 11/23/09
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Posted on: 2/28/11 5:34 PM ET
In reply to Eme
I use flat felled seams. Takes a lot of wear and moving around if you have a wiggling sleeper.
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Member since 10/4/10
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Posted on: 2/28/11 8:09 PM ET
I also use flat felled seams for pajama pants.
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 2/28/11 8:11 PM ET
On the straighter seams you could make french seams.
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If it's worth sewing, it's worth sewing well;
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Posted on: 2/28/11 9:58 PM ET
Thank you guys! I had a couple of breakthroughs making two pairs for my little girls just this past weekend...like "why didn't I think about this 5 years ago" type breakthroughs...and so I thought I'd tackle seam finishes next.

:)
  
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Posted on: 3/1/11 5:31 PM ET
On my grandchildren's jammies I stitch the seam, serge it together, press it to the side and topstitch with a double needle. I call it a mock flat fell. It is very strong and very easy to do.
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Member since 7/3/10
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Posted on: 3/1/11 5:37 PM ET
I've just made some PJ's for my sister. I've top stitched (time consuming!) every single seam. This had the double benefit of improving the "tailored" look I was aiming for and also ensuring the cotton doesn't ravel. Just another alternative.
  
Member since 4/1/07
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Posted on: 3/1/11 7:34 PM ET
In reply to solosmocker
I like this idea!
Quote:
mock flat fell

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Posted on: 3/3/11 5:04 PM ET
Follow-up question -

If I use flat-fell or French seams for the straighter seams, how should I finish the very curved crotch seam? Do I just serge as usual or is there a fancier finish available for that as well?

Thx!
  
Member since 9/18/04
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Posted on: 3/3/11 6:04 PM ET
In reply to Eme
Quote: Eme
Follow-up question -



If I use flat-fell or French seams for the straighter seams, how should I finish the very curved crotch seam? Do I just serge as usual or is there a fancier finish available for that as well?



Thx!

I've done a flat fell seam on the crotch seam (front to back) of boxer shorts and it's easier than I imagined.

While I'm sewing that seam, only the portion of seam itself needs to be flat under the needle. I sew the seam, trim one side, then fold and pin. When I start to sew the second line of stitching, the part of the seam under the needle is only about 1/4-inch wide and that stays flat. The rest of the seam may be seem wavy and the fabric on either side of the seam (the legs of the boxers/pj's) is not flat, but it doesn't need to be. I am feeding the folded seam under the needle and as it is stitched, it's flat under the needle.

As I remember it, I sewed that seam with the boxers arranged such that the folded-over part of the seam was on the inside of the crotch curve. That is, if the folded over seam allowance is going to be on the outside of the finished garment, then turn the garment inside out as you sew the second line of stitching so that the seam is in the "bowl" of crotch area of the garment.

I hope that makes sense.

CMC
  
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