French seam

How it is used

Useful on fine unlined garments; allow for both sewing passes when preparing the pattern.

Example sentences

1. The French seam hides the raw edges inside the sheer blouse.

   The seam encloses its own allowances without an overlocked edge.

2. Trim the first seam neatly before sewing the second line of the French seam.

   The first allowance must fit within the second enclosed seam.

Common collocations

• sew a French seam
• French seam finish

Related terms

• seamThe line where two or more pieces of fabric are joined together, usually by sewing, such as the side seam or shoulder seam of a garment.
• stitchA single loop of thread made by a needle in sewing, or a particular type of stitching such as lockstitch, chainstitch or coverstitch.

More terms: Sewing & Construction

• seam allowance
• overlock
• pleat
• gather
• topstitching
• flat-felled seam
• Hong Kong finish
• understitching
• staystitching
• pad stitching
• bar tack
• shirring