Common seam-finish mistakes
Fraying and ragged pinking.
- Pinking ragged: hold the shears straight, not at an angle.
- Pinked seams fraying after washing: pinking suits light wear only.
- Loose weave fraying: zigzag closer, or use an overlock-type stitch.
Watch
WHICH SEAM FINISH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE FOR YOUR GARMENT? (The wrong one can be a sewing disaster! 😱) (17:38)
By Evelyn Wood · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 17-minute video from Evelyn Wood on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
All guides ›Seam finishes
Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.