Replies

1. 
   Josefly | Jan 05, 2010 10:16am | #1

   Princess seams are seams which start either at the shoulder or in the armhole, curve down over the bust, or chest, then continue to the bottom of the garment. The term has nothing to do with how the seams themselves are finished. If your vest has a center-front opening, the pattern will have center-front pieces and side-front pieces which are joined by the princess seams. There may also be curved seams in the back of the vest/jacket. If you haven't sewn this type of seam before, it may seem a little tricky, since you will be joining two curved pieces, one a convex (outer) curve and a concave (inner) curve. Sometimes it's easier fit and pin the curved edges together for seaming if you first stay-stitch the pieces to be joined, then clip the seam allowance of the concave curve (which will be the center front piece) almost to the stay-stitched line. Since this is a pattern for a child's vest/jacket, the princess seams may have very little curve, since there's no bust to curve over, and that will be easier for your first princess seam project.

   Since the pattern calls for pre-quilted fabric, if it isn't separately lined, a seam-finish may be called for like Hong-Kong seams.