Fancy Ideas for Simple Seams

During the last week I don’t think I have moved very far from my sewing machine, well no further than to make a cup of tea, and I like that kind of work week!

I’ve been busy working on some exciting designs to teach at some upcoming workshops, making a dent some fun quilting commissions and finishing up the last few samples for demonstrating over at CraftHobby&StitchInternational (This Trade show opens tomorrow, if you’re heading to the event, be sure to swing in past to Stand D02 and say Hello!)

I’m not complaining, far from it, me and my sewing machine are true besties – which is a good thing as we spend so much time together! Sitting at the sewing machine is often the time I think of new ideas for things I want to make. You know that feeling, you’re slowly piecing together eleventy billion squares to make a quilt top and you suddenly think, “I want to make a bag, you know one of those super cute ones. Yeah, with a big bow on the front and ruffles along the seams!” (Don’t tell me you don’t talk out loud when your sewing?!)

Whilst dreaming up some more fun makes I thought about quick and easy ways to add something fancy to simple projects, perhaps is it something that you make lots of – clothes or plushies for the Littles, cushion covers, quilts, dresses, accessories – or something that you think you might like to customise just a little bit.

Well, there are a few really quick and easy ways to add in a little something unique to simple seams, that can really set of your make in style. Here are Three Fancy Ideas for Simple Seams!

Add Piping

Piping is a really actually much easier to create than it looks! It adds a lovely band across the seam making a really pretty feature of it.

One of the easiest ways to add piping to the seam is to cut a length of cord or yarn and press flat a strip of bias tape, these need to be a slightly longer than the fabrics that you are seaming, remember you can trim and neaten thins up later.

For the piping to run along the seam in the fabrics, it needs to be neatly layered before stitching. With the first fabric place right side up, position the strip of bias on top, so that the right sides are facing and the raw edges are aligned. position the length of yarn or cord on top of the bias strip, before bringing the lower edge of the bias over and aligning this raw edge with the fabric and the first side of bias.  This creates a loop of bias with the yarn neatly tucked inside. Place the second fabric to be joined into the seam on top of this sandwich, so that the right sides of both of the fabrics to be joined are facing. Pin in place ensuring that the yarn is pushed down into the tube of bias tape.

Grab a zip foot for your sewing machine, this will let you get in nice and close with the stitches along the length of the yarn, which will create the shaping of the piping. You need to do nothing more special than follow the length of yarn with a straight machine stitch to join the pieces together.

Press the seam open, and as you do open out the two piece of the binding and press flat with the the respective fabric, to press the iron over the length of piping, this will help to keep this band of accent stand proud from the seam.

Add Pom Pom Trim

There are very few makes that can’t be made just a little more fun with the addition of some colourful pom pom trimming – it is available in a whole heap of colours and sizes – so, you’ll be sure to find just the right one for your project.

The fuzzy fibre balls are usually held in place along a woven band or piece of ribbon, stitching through this as you work the seam will hold this cute accent in place.

Place the first piece of fabric to be joined with the right side uppermost, position the pom pom trim along the length of the fabric. Depending on whether you want any of the woven or ribbon strip to be visible on the right side of the finished garment, you place it either right up to the raw edge, or (as I’ve done here) lay it so the centre of the woven band lies along the line where you will stitch when making the seam. Position the second piece of fabric on top with the sight sides of the two fabrics facing and the pom pom trim sandwiched in between and pin carefully in place. With a standard foot, work a neat line of straight stitches to join the seam and secure the trimming.

Here’s a handy hint - if you’re worried about the placement of the trim, or it moving as you work the seam, you can always work a line of stitching along the woven band to join it to the right side of the first fabric, taking a smaller seam allowance than you will use to join the fabrics, to hold it neatly in place before placing the second piece of fabric on top.

As the woven band will be secured inside the seam allowance, pressing all the fabrics up towards the upper fabric will help to keep the band of the pom poms laying flat on the surface, and pressing the fabrics together will encourage the fuzzy accents to hang free of the project.

Add A Ribbon

Ribbons come in so many colours, widths and finished this this quick addition to a seam can have a range of different effects on the finished piece.

Trim a length of chosen colour, style and width of ribbon to the same as the length of the fabrics to be seamed.

With the first fabrics place right side uppermost, lay the ribbon on top of the seam, depending on the width of the ribbon, and how much you want visible on the right side of the finished project, lay this close to the raw edge or align with the position of the stitched when you sew the seam. Place the second piece of fabric over the top, so that the right sides of the two fabrics are facing, and pin in place to secure.

Work along the length of the fabrics with a straight machine stitch to secure the seam and hold the ribbon in place. Pressing the seam allowance towards the upper fabric will help the ribbon to lay flush on the surface of the fabric.

Neat, huh?

Now, go forth and make fancy some seams! How do you like to add a custom touch to your makes?

♥ – ♥ – ♥

I know what you’re thinking – those fabrics are the jam! Yeah! Yeah they are! This is from the awesome Stash Club bundle from Simply Solids! And, you may also recognise them from these cute coasters!

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