Seam finishes
Neatening the raw edges inside a seam so they do not fray.
What it is
Neatening raw edges so they don't fray.
Who it suits
Anyone making clothes.
What you need
Pinking shears or zigzag stitch.
A first project
Zigzag finish on a practice seam.
The seam finishes guides
Beginner's guide
What you need
Techniques and stitches
Mistakes and fixes
Next steps
Related Learn guides
- Clipping and notching curves (Seams and finishes)
- Differential feed: no more wavy knit seams (Overlocking)
- How to sew a flat-felled seam (Seams and finishes)
- How to sew French seams (Seams and finishes)
- Overlocker basics for beginners (Overlocking)
- Rolled hem on an overlocker (Overlocking)
- Fixing overlocker tension (Overlocking)
- Seam allowance explained (Seams and finishes)
- Seam finishes for beginners (Seams and finishes)
- Sewing knit fabric on an ordinary sewing machine (Seams and finishes)
- Staystitching: stop curves stretching (Seams and finishes)
- How to thread an overlocker (Overlocking)
- Understitching facings and linings (Seams and finishes)
Sources
All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.
