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Tips and Tricks to Sewing Clothing for Children

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Seams for Strong Garments
Seams for Strong Garments

Seams for Strong Garments

Debbie Colgrove, Licensed to About.com
Seams are the main stay of almost ever garment. Active children are going to put the durability of how a garment is made every time they wear the garment.
  • Seam Finishes -- All seams should have some form of a seam finish. Seam finishes not only hold the fibers secure when the garment is washed, they add strength to the seam.

  • Flat Felled Seams -- Flat felled seams are a bit more work than a plain seam but they are extremely strong. If there are straight seams with very little curves, sew flat felled seams to add strength to the garment.

  • Reinforcing Seams -- Curved seams such as sleeves and crotches are usually trimmed to help the garment lay properly. This can weaken the seam but it does not need to. Reinforce these curved seams before they are trimmed by sewing just inside the original seam line. You can use the same needle position to sew just inside the original seam line on the seam allowance. After reinforcing the seam, trim the seam allowance and apply a seam finish to further strengthen the seam.

  • Curved Seams -- Simple elastic waist pants and shorts are very easy to sew a strong, durable crotch seam. Turn one leg right side out and one leg wrong side out. Insert the right side out leg inside the wrong side out leg and align the notches and edges. Sew the crotch seam as one continuous seam and reinforce it as described above before trimming and applying a seam finish.

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