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General Upholstery Questions and Comments => General Discussion => Topic started by: OddBall13 on December 11, 2011, 08:13:58 am

Title: french seams
Post by: OddBall13 on December 11, 2011, 08:13:58 am
Hey I,m doing a job working with french seams and am having troubles making them look right I have all the material backed with 1/2inch scrim foam.  should I have not backed all of the material with foam?
Title: Re: french seams
Post by: seamsperfect on December 11, 2011, 08:45:35 am
Quote from: OddBall13 on December 11, 2011, 08:13:58 am
Hey I,m doing a job working with french seams and am having troubles making them look right I have all the material backed with 1/2inch scrim foam.  should I have not backed all of the material with foam?

You are going to have a tough time with 1/2" scrim.  Most I ever use is 1/4" but really never use any foam backing.   If you actually need 1/2 total make a foam cover for your seat then use the 1/4" on the material itself.  I have actually found it hard to do FS with a single needle with the 1/4 foam backing.  My double needle makes it easier.
Kevin
Title: Re: french seams
Post by: OddBall13 on December 11, 2011, 11:32:28 am
thanks Ill remember that
Title: Re: french seams
Post by: Gabe63 on December 11, 2011, 07:22:57 pm
Are you going to glue the 1/2 backing? If so how about the french seam first then glue on the backing. I would think the seam would look sunk in even if the spacing is right on 1/2 foam if sewn through. 

Title: Re: french seams
Post by: stitcher_guy on December 18, 2011, 10:17:44 pm
I do french seams all the time using 1/2" scrim. Until a few years ago when the motor companies wimped out and started using 1/4" scrim, it was all 1/2" at least on the top. Just make the selvage a little longer so the foot sits up on the padded part and doesn't creep in towards the seam. I also have made a skinny foot (grind down a regular flat foot) that holds it's line very nicely.

Another cheat I do when the 1/2" is on the face and I'm sewing to either 1/4" scrim or unbacked material: Let the 1/2" lay flat after sewing the seam, and sew a double fell. Then just run a fake second seam on the flattened selvage and it sinks in the same and looks like an authentic french seam. I use this on industrial seat repairs that already have a french seam (like van seats, which really shouldn't have it in the first place).
Title: Re: french seams
Post by: OddBall13 on December 19, 2011, 10:00:19 am
thanks Ill remember that for the next time Im doing some