• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Howcast

Howcast

The best source for fun, free, and useful how-to videos and guides.

  • Arts & Crafts
  • Entertainment
  • Food & Drink
  • Health
  • Home & Garden
  • Relationships
  • Explore Guides
  • Contact
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Explore Guides
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Entertainment
  • Food & Drink
  • Health & Wellness
  • Love & Relationships
  • Home & Garden
Arts & CraftsEasy Sewing Projects

How to Sew a Straight Seam

Instructions

  • Step 1: Align the fabric to be hemmed and pin it in place. Align any notches, dots, or other pattern markings when pinning the pieces together.
  • TIP: Placing pins perpendicular to the fabric edge about two inches apart will help to keep your fabric in place when sewing.
  • Step 2: To determine seam allowance, measure the distance on the needle plate from the needle to the right of the presser foot. Mark the distance with a piece of masking tape on the needle plate.
  • Step 3: Put the fabric under the presser foot and line up the edge with the masking tape seam guide.
  • Step 4: Lower the presser foot and check that the fabric has not shifted.
  • Step 5: Sew the fabric together, keeping the fabric lined up with the seam guide. Remove pins when they are two inches from the presser foot.
  • FACT: A sewing machine made for the German Royal Family around 1865 sold at auction for $41,000 in 1997.

You Will Need

  • Straight pins
  • A measuring tape
  • A sewing machine
  • Masking tape

Lessons in this Guide

How to Turn a Hoodie into a Bag

How to Make a Beanbag Chair

How to Choose a Cross-Stitch Craft Kit

How to Embroider a Towel

How to Turn a Hoodie into a Laptop Bag

How to Turn a Collared Shirt into a Sexy Mini Dress

How to Embroider Pillows

How to Turn an Old Sweater into a Strapless Dress

How to Convert Photos to Cross-Stitch Designs

How to Measure Waist Circumference

How to Turn a Regular Skirt into a Bubble Skirt

How to Measure an Inseam

How to Sew a Throw Pillow

How to Make Hemp Bracelets

How to Make Curtains

How to Make a Denim Rug

How to Make Hair Bows

How to Hem Jeans

How to Make Distressed Jeans

How to Make a Custom Dress Form

How to Dye Leather

How to Turn Old Jeans into a Skirt

How to Cut a Hooded Sweatshirt

How to Hem a Skirt

How to Dye Fabric

How to Turn Old Clothes into Wine Gift Bags

How to Turn Old Sheets into Shopping Totes

How to Turn Old Jeans into a Floor Mat

How To Patch Jeans

How to Make 3-D Felt Flowers

How to Iron on Patches

How to Make a Scarf Out of an Old T-Shirt

How to Make Your Own Window Valance

How To Use a Sewing Machine

How to Choose the Best Sewing Machine

How to Hem Pants

Copyright © 2026 · Howcast · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Ventures with Springwire.ai

Privacy Manager