How to Sew a French Seam

This seam works well on sheer fabric because no raw edges show on the wrong side. The seam looks like a plain seam on the outside and a narrow tuck on the wrong side. This seam works well on straight seams, but doesn't do well on curved seams.

1. Pin the WRONG sides of the fabric together.
2. Stitch 3/8" from the raw edges. Trim the seam allowances to 1/8". Press seam allowances open.
3. Fold the fabric along the seam line with right sides together. Press.
4. Stitch 1/4" from the folded edge.

This will give you a standard 5/8" seam allowance because 3/8" + 1/4"(2/8") = 5/8".