The Importance of Clipping Your Seam Allowance

The Importance of Clipping

Have you ever sewn something only to turn it right-side out and it just doesn’t look right? Chances are your instructions (or lack of instructions if you’re free styling) told you to clip the excess out of the seam allowance.

Clipping is generally used when you have sewn on a curve. The curve could be concave or convex (yes high-school geometry.. remember it?). Basically you will be clipping out small triangles out of the seam allowance to remove the excess fabric that would bunch up if you turn right-side out without clipping. Got it? If not, here’s an example.

This is the seam for an outward curve.

 

Here’s what it will look like if you turn it without clipping.

 

This is how you should clip this type of curve. Clip towards the seam line but be careful not to cut the actual seam. Cutting out triangles will remove the excess fabric for when you turn your project right side out.

 

And your work pays off, here is the finished edge (that has been clipped). See the difference?

 

This is the seam for an inward curve.

 

Here’s what it will look like if you turn it without clipping.

 

This is how you should clip this type of curve.

Start by making angled clips towards the seam line (traveling in one direction) and then come back angling opposite direction. It may not look pretty but it removes the excess fabric for when you flip it.

 

And your work pays off, here is the finished edge (that has been clipped). See the difference?

 

 

No matter what you are sewing you should ALWAYS clip your seams to make your project look more professional.