See how to make a seam roll – This seam roll pattern will make your projects so much easier to press, and your seams better-looking! And have you ever tried to neatly press gathers? A seam roll just makes that so much easier! Download your pdf template and make your own seam roll.
This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support. Once you’ve made your seam roll, use it on these easy projects:
- my best Free Tote Bag pattern
- this Half Moon Coin Purse
- these Bunny Baskets
As regards my sewing tools, I have a confession to make. I’ve been sewing for ages, but I haven’t got a proper seam roll that would help me press the small items, tiny curves and tube-like things like this cute zipper pouch.
I usually used a towel instead, rolled into the desired shape and size. Sometimes, it worked pretty well and sometimes it didn’t. And then, just recently I’ve had enough and finally made one.
No time to sew it now? Save it to Pinterest using THIS link or the image below, so you have the tutorial ready when you need it:
Seam Roll Is such A Great Sewing Tool!
When you’re sewing, there is a lot of pressing involved. A lot. And you already know that, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this. So far, I’ve been fiddling with improvised pressing aids, such as rolled towels or even a great soft-cotton baby blanket, to get my new sewing creations into the right form when pressing.
With each new project, I thought I’d make a proper seam roll myself, you know – ‘ sometime soon’. So I always walked past the Dritz tailor’s hem and seam rolls in the fabric store, thinking one of these days I’ll make one anyway, and reuse my scrap fabric along the way. Boy that took me long!
Seam Roll Pattern
The pattern is available IN THE SHOP – get it for free with 100%-off code for all my newsletter subscribers! (new subscribers can join here, existing subscribers: see my latest newsletter) Read on to find out more.
CURRENT SUBSCRIBERS: Your 100% DISCOUNT CODE is in my latest newsletter – visit the SHOP (here) and apply it in ‘View Cart’ before checkout.
So here’s – finally! – a proper seam roll. And a tutorial and a free template, to celebrate my new make 🙂
Supplies To Make A Seam Roll
- 8.5 x 11″ of fabric that can take iron heat – mid-weight cotton will do perfectly!
- sewing machine and needle, pins
- sewing thread, tailor chalk pen
- scissors, or rotary cutter
- plus self-healing cutting mat (I have 5 of them, all these by Olfa)
- the PDF Pattern file – that’s available to all my newsletter subscribers with an exclusive 100% OFF code for free. You get once you’ve confirmed your subscription (new subscribers: join here, existing subscribers: enter SHOP here and use 100%off coupon from my latest newsletter)
How To Make a seam Roll
1) Using the free PDF template, cut out the two pieces from your fabric.
2) Use marking pen or tailor’s chalk to transfer the darts. I also stick a pin directly into the spot where the dart ends, and this is the most important marking. The second two spots, end of dart, I snip two little marks on the seam allowance, using my scissors. For these small darts, I also add one pin to pin perpendicularly, like this:
3) Sew the darts, altogether there will be 8 little darts to sew. Starting at the edge, that is at the widest part of the dart, slowly sew a straight line directly into the spot where the dart ends. Use a small stitch length. Remove pins as you sew.
When you approach the dart point, shorten the stitch and sew on several stitches to leave long thread tails.
4) Once you’ve got your darts sewn, place the pieces together, right sides facing. Match dart seams and fold darts in opposite directions to reduce bulk along the edge.
5) Pin and stitch around using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Leave an opening for turning. (See how I left the double pin markings?)
6) Notch the seam allowance on the rounded parts to reduce bulk – take care not to snip into any stitches. You can use pinking shears to clip the curved edge portion.
7) Turn right-side-out and press well.
8) Using your fabric scraps, stuff the seam sleeve tightly. Even better, you use sawdust (I had none at hand.) You’ll use up a lot of scraps, as the seam roll needs to be quite hard to hold its shape.
9) Close the opening using a ladder or a slip stitch. Done!
HOW DO I GET THE PATTERN FOR FREE?
The sewing pattern is available FOR FREE with the 100% OFF exclusive code for all subscribers to AppleGreen Cottage newsletter – you get the 100% discount code when you sign up at this link:
Sign up for the free newsletter here to get the 100% off code for this pattern – and tons of other goodies!
This free template for a seam roll is for everyone who loves sewing. It will make your projects so much easier to press, and your seams better-looking!
Save this tutorial for later:
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Eileen says
I don't know how to access the free seam roll template. Ands, is there an easy way to print the instructions?
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Eileen,
thanks for reaching out, I'm happy to help: the free pattern is in the subscriber-exclusive freebie library at https://www.applegreencottage.com/p/subscriber-freebies.html
Once you sign up for the newsletter, you'll get the password to enter the library.
Once you've entered the password, just CLICK on any of the images you want the pattern from. The PDF pattern/file will open, you save it to your computer, and print whenever you like. The library also contains the 100% discount code for a few of the patterns from my shop.
Enjoy! Damjana