18th and 19th-century shirts are hand sewn with a flat-felled seam. This flat-felled seam is based on a 19th-century shirt in a private collection like the shirts worn in Bridgerton and Jane Austen movies. This is perfect hand sewing for modern slow stitchers looking to sew an unlined garment without a sewing machine. This felled seam is done in two parts:
1) Stitch the seam with a “reverse backstitch.”
2) Open up the seam and fell down the raw edge.
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Hand sew a flat-felled seam without a sewing machine. Learn this historical hand sewing technique for your next cos-play, reenactment or modern make. This flat-felled seam is first stitched with a running-backstitch then the raw edges are felled over.
Time Stamps:
Fabric Placement :50
Stitching the Seam: 1:16
Basting the Raw Edge: 3:08
Press Open the Seam: 4:19
Fell the Seam In Place: 5:20
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Hand sewing a rolled hem gives you more control than a sewing machine. This technique is used often in historical sewing from 18th-century caps, head wraps, neck cloths to 19th-century chemisettes. It is also the perfect way to sew the hem on your silk Hermes scarf or hand sew a pocket square. Grab your needle and threads and let's practice our hand sewing together!
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Sew without a sewing machine! Learn to hand sew a whipstitched seam. This historical sewing technique is used to piece together fabric for zero-waste sewing and used to seam two selvedges together of hand woven fabric.
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Hand sew without using a sewing machine! Learn how to sew a hem with just a running stitch. This technique is based on historical sewing techniques but also works great for modern hand sewing projects! Try it out to remember what your hands can do!
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This is a stitch for historical hand sewing and for modern slow-slowing. A running-backstitch can create a fast and strong seam when done about 8-10 stitches per inch (2.5 cm). Learn to hand sew or practice your hand sewing to remember what your hands can do.
Click here for recommended hand sewing tools.
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Hand sewing a felled seam? Did you know there is another way to backstitch? This backstitch is great for a clean sewing line seen on the outside. Try it out!
Click here for recommended hand sewing tools.
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Backstitching is the strongest hand sewn stitch you can do. People often are concerned about the strength of hand sewing and honestly regardless of what stitch you use it is much stronger than you think. However, for seams that have stress on them like arm holes, shoulder seams and some body seams a backstitch is an ideal choice. Practice along with me to remember what your hands can do!
Click here for recommended hand sewing tools.
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A spaced-backstitch is the stitch used to top-stitch 18th-century and early-19th century jackets and gowns seen on English and European clothing. It is strong, pretty, flexible and quick. I also love to use this stitch to sew seams quickly and on knitwear to stitch strong but flexible seams.
Click here for recommended hand sewing tools.
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Right Handed:
Left Handed:
Hemming aka felling is a skill that opens doors to exciting hand sewing like: hemming, seaming and setting in linings. Like a running stitch it is remarkably versatile!
Click here for recommended hand sewing tools.
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A running stitch is a perfect stitch to practice your hand sewing with. Not only can it help you perfect your technique, but it is extremely verstile. From basting, hemming and seaming you can do a lot by just changing the stitches per inch.
Click here for recommended hand sewing tools.
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Right Handed: Left Handed:
How do people sew for hours a day BY HAND? Body position, thread tension, hand placement all matter! This video breaks down the minutiae of hand sewing technique.
NOTE: Something I forgot to mention was the length of my thread- its important to cut it about the length of your arm from shoulder to fingertips. This will allow you to sew with proper tensions.
Click here for recommended hand sewing tools.
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Metal thimbles can feel awkward to hand sew with. This tutorial walks you through how to use one with the hope that will enough practice you will learn to love your thimble.
Click here for recommended hand sewing tools.
Copyright Sewn Company 2021.
Metal thimbles can feel awkward to hand sew with. This tutorial walks you through how to use one with the hope that will enough practice you will learn to love your thimble.
Click here for recommended hand sewing tools.
Copyright Sewn Company 2021.
