How To Make A Seam Roll - Free Template

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.

Prefer an ad-free printer-friendly option of the whole tutorial+pattern? See the → optional PDF file in our shop.

Table Of Contents

• Seam Roll Is such A Great Sewing Tool!
• Supplies To Make A Seam Roll
• How To Make a Seam Roll
• How Do You Use a Seam Roll?
• Want a printable copy of the whole tutorial+pattern?

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.

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!

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 seam roll template

FINISHED SIZE:

10" by 3 ½" (25 x 9cm)

How To Make a Seam Roll

Step 1 - Get the free template and print it out.

Get this subscriber-exclusive pattern emailed for FREE when you join our mailing list:

Prefer an ad-free printer-friendly option of the whole tutorial+pattern? See the → optional PDF file in our shop.

Step 2 - Cut Fabric

Using the free PDF template, cut out the two pieces from your fabric.

Step 3 - Sew Darts

Use a 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 the 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:

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.

Step 4 - Sew the 2 pieces together

Once you've got your darts sewn, place the pieces together, right sides facing. 

Useful tip: Match dart seams and fold darts in opposite directions to reduce bulk along the edge.

Pin and stitch around using a ¼" seam allowance. Leave an opening for turning. (See how I left the double pin markings?)

Step 5 - Trim the seam allowance

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. If you need it, here's a good tip about clipping corners and trimming for you.

Step 6 - Turn right side out

Turn right-side-out and press well.

Step 7 - Add stuffing

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.

Step 7 - Stitch opening closed

Close the opening using a ladder stitch or a slip stitch. Done!

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! And while you're at it, you can improve your sewing room with this free pattern:

How Do You Use a Seam Roll?

I'm editing this post because I just got this question from a reader:

'Don't laugh, but how do you USE a seam roll?'

(A great question, J.!) Of course, I totally forgot not everyone is familiar with using the seam roll, and it's just right to mention it here. This tool is used on narrow openings when it would be difficult to press, and smaller bags and pouches are a perfect example here. Place inside the pouch and you are able to press around corners, darted, and rounded areas that are hard to press on an ironing board.

Actually, even better, let me just post a photo and you'll get a clear picture:

Hope this helps. Thank you for asking, J!

What to Use to Fill Your Seam Roll or Ham

The filling you choose makes a big difference in how well your seam roll works for pressing!

Best options:

• Sawdust - Traditional, firm, and great for shaping seams. It holds heat well and gives professional results. Look for fine sawdust (not wood shavings) at pet stores or hardware stores.
• Wool roving or scraps - Naturally heat-resistant and perfect for steam pressing. A little pricier, but gives excellent results.
• Fabric scraps - A budget-friendly option! Use tightly packed cotton or wool fabric scraps for good heat resistance.

Avoid:
❌ Sand - It can hold moisture and make the roll too heavy. It's also not heat-friendly and might even leak out through stitching.
❌ Polyester stuffing - It doesn't hold heat or shape well and can melt under high heat.

Tip: Whatever you use, pack it tightly! A firm roll gives much better pressing results than a soft one.

Once you've made your seam roll, use it on these easy projects:

• these Bunny Baskets
• my best Free Tote Bag pattern
• this Half Moon Coin Purse