How to sew a plain seam
The seam everything else builds on.
Step by step
- Place the fabric right sides together and pin.
- Pull the threads to the back under the foot.
- Line the edge up with the allowance mark and lower the foot.
- Sew 4 or 5 stitches, reverse over them, then sew on. Guide the fabric; don't pull it.
- Backstitch at the end of the seam.
- Neaten the edges and press.
Watch
How to Sew a Straight Stitch (Tutorial) (2:16)
By OnlineFabricStore · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 2-minute video from OnlineFabricStore 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 ›Seams
Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.