How do you make a French seam?
 

I am wanting to make an 18th Century British Flag and would like to know how this type of seam is done. Thanks for any help. Mike

Like the pillowcases?

A simple way to do it is to start with a half inch seam. After it is sewn, turn the two edges of the seam inward and stitch again along the seam line or a tiny bit out from it.

Here's a video.........http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvb2TaHUu-U

Put wrong sides together. Small zig zag stitch at the edge of fabric sew seam. Press open. Then sew right sides together1/2 from seam to cover all the small stitches you made earlier. Hope this helps

Another quick way is to use your 1/4 inch foot. Make a seam with wrong sides together. Press the seam by folding the fabric back on itself, making the seam inside of the fold. You will have the right side of the fabric on the inside now and the wrong side will be on the outside. Make a second seam just larger than the 1/4 inch seam, about 3/8 inch to 4/8 or 1/2. Then open the fabric and press the seam. The seam will be on the inside, on the wrong side of the fabric and completely inclosed. If your pattern gives you the option, it is easier to use a serged seam on a serger. However, the french seam is considered the most professional of all seams.

Thanks all. Watched the video and realized that I will not be using a French seam to make this flag.

Place wrong sides of two pieces of material together and sew a seam along the edge. Turn both pieces of material so that right sides are touching each other and press the seam directly along the sewn line. Then sew a slightly wider seam than the one before. so that you are encasing the previous seam's raw edges inside the new seam. Your French seam is now done.

Perhaps a run and fell seam is the one you need for the flag?

Note to add: assuming you are using a regular sewing pattern with 5/8 inch seams, make your first seam 1/4 inch, and the second one 3/8 inch. The two will total the requisite 5/8".