How to Sew Seams

Seams are the mainstay for most sewing projects. Many sewing patterns call for 1/2" seam allowances - the amount of fabric between your needle and the edge of the fabric. To ensure a straight seam, it is important to cut your sewing pattern as accuratly as possible.

Good to Know Before You Cut - sewing projects are built inside out; from the wrong side of the fabric.

Prepare Your Fabric

• Lay your pattern out on the wrong side of your fabric and pin to keep in place while cutting. If the fabric stretches easily, I recommend cutting each piece separately.
  
• Begin cutting once you have pinned your fabric and pattern together, carefully following the lines provided.
  
• Repeat this process until all pieces have been cut.
  
• Remove all pins and patterns from your fabric.
  
• Place the two pieces of fabric you would like to sew together (right sides in) and align edges.
  
• Pin at one inch intervals straight up and down (don't worry, the presser foot will glide over the pin heads easily) and approx 1/2" from the edge of your fabric.

Now your are ready to sew! Make sure your sewing table is sturdy, you have plenty of light, and your sewing machine and bobbin have been threaded correctly. It never hurts to double check!

Place the fabric under the presser foot and align the edge of the fabric with the appropriate seam guide to make the 1/2" seam. Teaching yourself to watch a seam guide and not the moving sewing machine needle will help maintain consistent seam allowances (straight seams)!

Sew a few stitches forward then a few stiches in reverse to reinforce your edges. Now sew the length of the fabric forward and repeat these steps at the end of your fabric as well. When you have completed your seam, remove the fabric from the sewing machine, remove the pins and trim the excess thread from the fabric. You should now have a straight seam holding the two pieces of fabric together.

Presser Foot: Part of the sewing machine that holds the fabric down to help it feed through the machine evenly.
Seam Guide: The right side of the metal plate beneath the presser foot (notice the etched lines).

About.com also has many helpful tips and tricks for sewing seams.