I am making a tote bag and its saying to do a 'french seam' on the sides. I am not sure what or how to make one. Can anyone help me out???

If you do a search several sites come up.

Here are a couple that will help you.

http://www.sewneau.com/how.to/french.seam.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvb2TaHUu-U

Hope this helps you.

French Seams are a great way to finish the seams. Such a nice and professional look. I use them often.

I make that seam on all purses/bags I make.
I'll try to explain:

1) Place bag sides together RIGHT sides out. Make a narrow seam down the length of the side to sew sides together - you now have side seam with raw edges exposed on outside of bag.
2) Press, turn bag inside out. Now with WRONG sides out, sew another side seam over same location, slightly deeper than previous seam. This will 'encase' the raw edges from previous seam.
3) Turn bag right side out & check for any exposed raw edges - if you see raw edges on a portion of the seam, simply turn wrong side out again & make slightly deeper seam.

You may find a tutorial if my directions are fuzzy. Good Luck!
Would love to know how it turns out for you,
Jan

This video is for making pillows but she does a wonderful job explaining how to do French seams. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7moryq_ZRFY

when I was 20 about 35 years ago I made a wedding dress for someone and the pattern called for French seams and I had no idea what they were or how to look them up but it had to have them because the fabric ran easily. took me weeks to figure it out then U finally asked my mother in law who was a fountain of sewing knowledge. I really miss that woman

I use french seams when I make pillow cases. It doesn't leave any raw edges.

Thanks everyone....

the buritto pillowcase also uses french seams. Working on some right now.

simple quilter