Finishing Edges

[OhMel]

Hey Mamas,

I'm a new sewer and I made a skirt from the Sew U book and it turned out really well. The problem however is that I had pinked my edges and when I washed the skirt it all frayed. I've been told I could overstitch or zigzag the edges instead -- do this before I put the pieces together? Do I just do the parts that won't be hemmed?

Thanks!

[Clarinet]

I've been experimenting with flat fell and french seams. I have also zig-zagged seams and then just trimmed any remaining bits of fabric I might have missed.

ETA: Yeah, you'll just do the side seams in zig-zag for a skirt.

[KariM]

Before I got my serger I just zig-zagged most seam allowances. Depending upon the piece, I'd zig before or after sewing the seam together. Sometimes it's easier to zig after and sometimes it's easier to zig after sewing.

[WC_hapamama]

For side seams, I usually do flat felled seams with wovens, and overlock on knits.

[OhMel]

Thanks Mamas! I will try this on my next project.

[Ellien C]

It's not too late to do that for the skirt. You won't be able to get close in at the top and bottom where it's hemmed, but you can do the majority of the side seams (just don't worry about the top and bottom inch). Trim the trails off before you do it, then zig-zag the edges.