Welcome to “Hand-Sewn, Self-Finished Seams”

In this pre-recorded workshop you will learn how to sew five samples of hand-sewn, self-finished seams. No need for a serger here! We will practice a mantua-maker’s hem (seam), butted seams, a double felled seam known as German hemming, flat-felled seam with a backstitch and a flat-felled seam with a running stitch/backstitch combination. The five seams taught are perfect for unlined garments both historical or modern. The class will go over applications for each seaming technique. These techniques are based off of the teacher’s study of clothing that was orginally worn in the colonized Atlantic World, c.1760-1830. To learn more about your teacher, Sarah Woodyard click here.

It is important to recognize that the teacher’s training is in English and from a Western, colonizer perspective. You will see the names of these seams and techniques are in English. However, the same techniques were done across the world and have different names and applications depending on place and time. There is no one way or right way to understand these stitches. This class is only one perspective. If you have a different name or application based on your experience please do not hesitate to reach out. Hand sewing has the power to seam us together.

Workshop format: This workshop is organized in a series of sections with a pre-recorded, close-captioned video as the key manner of instruction. There are five seams this class goes over. You are strongly encouraged to watch the video before you start sewing. This class is designed for you to go at your own pace using the pre-recorded videos for instruction. Pause, rewatch and review to hone your seaming skills. The goal of this class is to teach you to hand-sew a variety of self-finished seams that can be applied to both historical and modern garments.

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