Beginner sewists, come gather 'round. Let me tell you about improvising when you don't have the required tools for a project.
I'm calling it "crafting improv." It's how to make-do with what we've got instead of giving up or spending money we don't have on newer, better tools (but hey, if you've got it, go for it!).
The more garments I started to sew, the more I knew that I needed to finish those edges/seam allowances for a more professional, clean look. I learned that more advanced sewists get that cleaned up edge by using a serger, and well, from the looks of the one at Finch, I didn't want to get myself (literally) tangled up in that just yet. The thing has like, four spools of thread on it. I can barely handle one.
Bring on the zig-zag stitch. Is 'zig-zag' really the most technical name for that stitch? Probably not. Either way, you get me.
Let's take that 5/8" seam allowance and trim it down to about 1/4". This just gets rid of the excess fabric that we don't need to have. Pile your scraps up and take a picture for Instagram.
Set your machine to the zig-zag stitch, and the appropriate width and length for your machine (I leave mine at around a 2/2.5 length setting, and a 0 width setting). Line up the fabric so that the edge is just past the center of the presser foot, but not quite under the right "ski tip". Is this 1/8"? I don't know. I'm just an amateur. But let's just say it is.
Just zig-zag your way down the edge of your seam allowance. This finishes your seams and keeps them looking neat, preventing major fraying which really doesn't look too nice after a few washes.
See? Looks pretty swell. May not be as professional as a serged edge would look, but it does the job. This works for woven and knit fabrics, although knits can be a bit tricky with the stretch involved. Give it a whirl!
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