How to Measure for Seam Allowance on Your Sewing Machine
Although some leeway exists when sewing seams for homemade items, some types of sewing projects must be precise. For instance, tailored garments or quilts require nearly perfect symmetry to fit together as intended. Sewing machines often have lines on the throat plate that sewers can use to make even seams, but the marks do not extend far enough in front of the feed dogs -- making it more difficult to line up the seams before they're fed under and stitched. Fortunately, it’s easy to make your own marks, either permanently or temporarily, when sewing something that needs precise seams.
Things You'll Need
- Tape (optional)
- Pencil or marker
- Short ruler
- Tape measure (optional)
- Nail polish remover (optional)
Instructions
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1
Find some brightly colored tape that contrasts with the colors you are sewing.
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2
Lower your needle into the throat plate, and note its position. Your sewing machine may have a setting you can use to change the position of the needle from left, center and right. Position the needle for the project you are sewing.
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3
Slide the ruler or tape measure next to the needle on the right-hand side. Select the seam width you want, and use a pencil or marker to mark the seam's width from the needle. Make another mark just below the ruler or tape measure -- at the same measurement as the top mark.
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4
Lay the ruler on top of the two marks, and draw a line toward you. Place the tape along the line. Cut more pieces of tape that are the same length as the first, and place them on top of each other to add depth to the guide.
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Tips & Warnings
If you use tape to make a seam width guide, you can lift it and reposition it when you need to alter the width of seams.
If the tape leaves a sticky residue behind when you pull it off, use nail polish remover to clean off the machine. Consider using narrow painter's tape, which doesn't leave behind any adhesive residue.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
