Are You Ready for This Year's Christmas Markets?
Learn how to sew a French seam for a beautiful finish on our reusable bag and get Christmas market ready!
It’s that time of year again when the Christmas markets arrive in town centres up and down the country. Twinkling lights add some magic and sparkle to cold, grey afternoons and the mulled wine fills the air with its wonderful aroma! Many of the products available to buy are made by artisans and there are some amazing and unique gifts on show. The Christmas market can be the perfect place to find those special, individual gifts for friends and loved ones which will be so appreciated.
I find it very unusual that I visit a Christmas market and fail to make a purchase - it is usually quite the opposite! But I make sure that I go prepared with a gorgeous bag or two to carry my haul safely home in. My bag of choice is handmade from our Anne Foldaway Shopper bag pattern in a pretty fabric which folds neatly away into its own pouch when not in use. Perfect for keeping in your handbag ready to spring into action when a purchase or two beckons! Unlined and sewn with French seams for extra strength and a beautiful finish, this pattern is great for gifting, or why not make some bags to gift this holiday season? Take a look at the instructions below to find out how easy it is to sew a French seam.
How to sew a French seam
Lay your fabrics to be joined on top of each other, wrong sides together.
Stitch the seams with a 1.0cm seam allowance.
Trim the fabric in the seam allowance down to 0.5cm.
Turn inside out so that the right sides of the fabric are now facing each other.
Ensure that the seams are straight, gently press them if necessary. If your fabric is lightweight and prone to moving about, I would recommend pinning the fabrics together so that the seam remains in place.
Stitch along the seams with a 1.0cm seam allowance. This will enclose the raw edges of your first seam inside, creating a beautiful neat finish.
Turn right sides out and press well.
You can find this beginner friendly pattern in our Etsy shop here SHOP HERE
Use code MARKET10 for 10% discount on this pattern when you checkout!
Happy sewing!
Suzanne, Charlotte and Rebecca