How to Sew Seams on a Garment Bag

It's only after you've added all the decorative touches to a garment bag that you finally sew it together and finish it. This is done in an unusual manner in order to keep the raveled edges of fabric from being visible when the garment bag is removed from the hanger.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron and ironing board

1. Pin the garment bag together with the wrong sides together.

2. Start at the top of the bag and sew a 1/2-inch seam along the top of the bag from the hanger opening to the corner.

3. Lift the presser foot and turn the corner for the shoulder 45 degrees. Sew a few stitches at this angle, then turn the bag another 45 degrees and continue down the side of the bag. This will leave a rounded corner that will fit the edge of the hanger better.

4. Sew the side of the bag closed from the shoulder to the bottom. You will leave the bottom of the bag open.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 on the other side of the bag.

6. Turn the bag inside out and, with right sides together, press the seam flat, leaving one fabric edge on each side of the seam. This will allow the edges to be sewn into the next seam.

7. With the right sides together, sew another half-inch seam along the top and sides of the bag. This will conceal the edges of the fabric, giving the inside of the bag a finished look.

Tips & Warnings

• The same kind of finished seam can be accomplished using a serger.
• It's much easier to hem the bottom of the garment bag if you do it before you sew the side seams.

Resources

• See the finished garment bag on Expert Village.