So I’m running a little behind with my updates on my chemise project. I’ve recently thrown my ack out of whack somehow and have been forced to stay laying flat on my stomach for sometime…yay. Anyways I took this picture a couple of days ago, right after my last post really, I’m ready and able to sit long enough to explain it!
So what you’re looking at is what we call a flat-felled seam. You see these on the outside seams of jeans usually. While these are definately not period there is a method to my madness. Firstly I don’t own a serger to finish my raw edges. This is a great way to finish these edges and not have anything rubbing you raw at the same time. Secondly I want this piece to last a long time. The chemise is something that you wear often and will be washed more often than any other piece of garb you own. Flat-felled seams are stronger than your average seam and you’ll find that they are less likely to come apart on you which save you the time that you would spend fixing them.
For this particular piece I made it so that the seam that you see in the picture is on the inside of the garment since depending on what you’re wearing you may see large amounts of the exterior seam. Hmm…at this point I should probably insert a picture of the exterior seam here…I’ll make sure that I get a shot and add it soon. From experience I also will say that these don’t chafe or rub as much as other types of seam finishes (including serged seams) do, especially under bodices etc.