Seams: a beginner's guide

Right sides together, sew, backstitch and press.

• The seam allowance is the distance from the raw edge to the stitching line.
• Many patterns use 5/8 in; Makyla's practice seam is 0.6 in (1.5 cm). Always use your pattern's allowance.
• The seam allowance markings on the machine (5mm (3/16 in), 10mm (3/8 in), 15mm (9/16 in)...) are measured from the needle, so you needn't mark the seam.
• Backstitch a few stitches at the start and end.
• A plain seam is neatened and pressed to one side; an open seam is neatened first and pressed open.

Sources

All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

1. Makyla Creates: How to sew a plain and open seam
2. Jimmy Kuehnle (whatmakeart.com): Sew a plain seam
3. WeAllSew (Bernina): Seam finishes 3 ways