Question: What's the Best Way to Sew a Pocket Seam? Can I just Zigzag the Seam?
Looking at the seam the is the outside edge of an inside pocket, can I just use a zigzag seam or is there another stitch I need to know about?
Answer: For this question lets think of a pocket that is set into a seam such as a side pocket on a skirt or slacks. The entire pocket will be inside the garment. Apply a zigzag stitch to the edges of the pocket may seam like it will finish the edge and hold the pocket together but will it give it the strength you want? If the pocket will be used you need a regular seam and the zig zag finished edges. The regular stitching will make a strong seam and hold the contents in the pocket. The zigzag stitch on the edges of the pocket are going to keep the edges from fraying in the wash and act as a seam finish.
A zigzag stitch can be used to sew a seam when you need a seam that will stretch. By setting your machine zigzag as a narrow width zigzag stitch, the stitching will stretch with the fabric. Even when you sew a seam with a narrow zigzag stitch you need to finish the edge of the seam with a seam finish.
Have a sewing question? Email your question to Debbie and it may be featured on this site as a FAQ.
More Information on Seams
A zigzag stitch can be used to sew a seam when you need a seam that will stretch. By setting your machine zigzag as a narrow width zigzag stitch, the stitching will stretch with the fabric. Even when you sew a seam with a narrow zigzag stitch you need to finish the edge of the seam with a seam finish.
Have a sewing question? Email your question to Debbie and it may be featured on this site as a FAQ.
More Information on Seams
