How to Understitch When Sewing

Understitching is precision work; good lighting helps.

You can tell a garment is homemade when the facings show and the neckline seams look uneven. Understitching keeps the lining from showing, it keeps the facings pointing in the right direction and makes a garment look as if it was made by a professional. Understitching does not show on the right side of the garment, but it still adds greatly to the appearance of the garment. You can understitch linings as well as facings.

Things You'll Need

• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Open out the facing.

2. Press all the seam allowances toward the facing.

3. Stitch the seam allowances to the facing by stitching 1/8-inch from the seam with a straight stitch and a standard stitch length. Pull the facing away from the seam as you stitch. This will pull the seam toward the inside of the garment and keep the facing from showing when you are wearing the garment.

4. Start and stop sewing about an inch from any seams that cross over the seam you are understitching.

5. Fold the facing back to the inside of the garment.