How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading

heather handmade sewing

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Learn how to grade seams by either trimming vs grading. It reduces bulk inside enclosed seams for a professional look.

Trimming and grading seams are different but equally important basic sewing skills. Learn the difference between them, how to grade seams, and why to trim seams.

It’s a way to reduce bulk, and it’ll make your handmade clothing look better and last longer. If you are learning how to sew, you can start with sewing 101 for beginners!

How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading // heatherhandmade.com

Learn more about all the basic sewing stitches you need to sew clothing.

How to Trim Seams

Start by sewing an outside corner in your fabric.  An outside corner is one that goes out away from the main area of the sewn item.

When this kind of corner is turned right side out the seam allowance will bunch up inside and the corner won’t be able to be poked around.

How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading // heatherhandmade.com

With scissors cut two triangles away from the corner out of the seam allowance. Cut the seam allowance around the corner as small as possible. I used regular fabric straight scissors to cut.

I also trimmed the straight edge of the seam allowance from 5/8″ to 3/8″.

How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading // heatherhandmade.com

When you turn the item right side out the seam allowance won’t bunch up. I didn’t poke out the corner, but it already looked nicer than one with no trimming.

How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading // heatherhandmade.com

How to Grade Seams

Start with a straight or curved edge.

How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading // heatherhandmade.com

Now you are going to cut the seam at different lengths. Remember the phrase “widest to the world”. The outside fabric seam allowance needs to be wider than the inside fabric seam allowance.

The outside seam allowance should be trimmed to 3/8″

This insides seam allowance should be trimmed to 1/4″

Any extra seam allowances in the middle should be trimmed between 3/8″ and 1/4″.

How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading // heatherhandmade.com

These duckbill scissors* are often used in embroidery, but they are great for grading seams. The thick, flat side of the scissors is like an extra finger pushing the fabric away.

How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading // heatherhandmade.com

The longer seam allowance will face the “world”, or fashion fabric, and will cover the seam allowances behind it.

How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading // heatherhandmade.com

Trimming vs Grading

Trimming and grading seams are both important important because they reduce the bulk of seams. It makes the garment look professional.

Trimming and grading are both used on necklines with a facing or lining, cuffs, collars, lined jackets, corners, and angles, etc.

Trimming is more common on angles and corners and grading is more common on edges.

How to Grade Seams: Trimming vs Grading // heatherhandmade.com

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!

trimming vs grading
heather sewing

I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather

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Such clear information Ilove too sew but I have time on My hands whilst recovering from an operation on my left shoulder cant sew or anything as yet but it wont stop Me reading such great advice.
Happy 2019.

Januk

[…] how to trim and grade seams […]

[…] on a ribbon around your neck and you’ll never lose scissors again. I use it to trim threads, trim and grade seams, and cut out little pieces of fabric for sew in […]

Thank you so much for sharing these tips, I look forward to the others to come!

You've made it look simple and possible for a novice.

The fashion fabric seam allowance needs to be wider than the inside fabric seam allowance.

hi, i really don't understand, I only need to know how to trim a seam as i am making a skirt. Please help! could you get back to me on my blog: lovalafashion.blogspot.com on the simplicity 2305 post, comment there. Thanks 🙂

You have inspired me to start sewing again. You've made it look simple and possible for a novice. Because of you, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!!! Thanks, Heather!

I love these tips Heather, thank you so much for sharing these tips, I look forward to the others to come!