Doina Alexei
  • Sewing Tutorials
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      • What Are Notches And How To Use Them In The Sewing Process
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      • Backstitching: A Complete Guide
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    • Darts >
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    • Sewing Seams >
      • ​The Basics Of Seams And Seam Allowance
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      • Sewing A Slot Seam
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      • Sewing Seams With Crossing Seamlines
      • Sewing Unlike Fabric Seams
      • How To Iron Seams: Ironing Tools And Conventions
      • Sewing With Knit Fabrics
      • Understanding Stitch Length And Tension
      • Sewing Unique Fabric Seams
    • Seam Finishes >
      • Seam Finishing Techniques - Overview
      • Applying A Pinked Seam Finish
      • Applying A Bias Bound Seam Finish
      • Serging And Zigzag Seam Finishes
      • Sewing A Self-Bound Seam Finish
      • Sewing A French Seam Finish
      • Sewing A Hong Kong Seam Finish
      • Sewing A Mock French Seam Finish
      • Sewing A Turned-and-Stitched Seam Finish
      • Sewing Overcast Hand-Applied Seam Finishes
      • Sewing A Flat Felled Seam
      • Sewing A Hairline Seam Finish
    • Hem Finishes >
      • Garment Hem Finishes: Overview
      • ​Sewing A Double Fold Hem Finish
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      • Sewing Bound Hem Finishes
      • Sewing An Exposed Double Layer Bound Hem
      • Sewing A Folded-Up Bound Hem with Pre-folded Binding
      • Sewing A Hong Kong Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Band Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Bias Faced Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Twill Tape Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Rolled Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Shaped Hem Facing
      • Using Fusible Hem Tape And Webbing
      • Finishing A Lace Fabric Hem
      • Finishing A Leather Hem
      • Sewing Faced Hem Corners
      • How To Finish Lining At The Hem
      • Finishing Fabric Corners by Mitering >
        • Mitering Fabric Corners With A Full Bias Facing
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      • Interfacing A Hemline: Lined And Unlined Examples
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      • Bound Neckline Finishes: Overview >
        • Sewing A Single Layer Bound Neckline
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      • Decorative Neckline Finishes >
        • Sewing A Neckline With Decorative Inset
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      • Finishing Facing Edges: Overview
      • Folded-And-Topstitched Overedge Facing Finish
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    • Extras >
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How To Clean-Finish Folded Fabric Corners Using Mitering

What Is Mitering And How Is It Used In Garment Construction
You may or may not be familiar with the term mitering, but if you’ve been sewing for a little while, you have certainly come across the need for this technique. 
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Mitering is used to finish fabric corners. It entails sewing two corner edges together such that they create a diagonal seam. This seam then smoothly encloses the corner’s raw fabric edges. 
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Mitering can be applied by means of the seam allowance itself, using bias strips, binding or bias tape. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use each one of these mitering techniques to clean-finish fabric corners.
You’ll find yourself having to finish fabric corners at the hemline of open-front garments, when completing a slit hem, or sewing any irregularly-angled hemlines that feature an opening.
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When the fabric edges intersect into a perfectly straight angle, you may be able to fold the corner seam allowance in a linear way, without the need for mitering. However, this can often result in a bulky finish with edges slightly protruding from the bottom of the hemline.
When fabric edges do not meet at a perfect straight angle, folding the corner seam allowances over one another is virtually impossible to achieve in the clean-finishing process. In this case, mitering is truly the best tool.
As noted above, the corner mitering technique forms a diagonal seam which connects the lengthwise garment edge (vertical) to its crosswise edge (horizontal). To determine the exact location of the diagonal seam and how much excess should be taken in, these edges are first ironed in a position that creases the stitching guidelines.
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To master mitering means to master the correct folding process. Once you achieve the diagonal crease marks, the stitching process is easy to complete.
Mitering can be used on both inward and outward corners. In this tutorial we’ll focus on outward corners. You will learn 3 common techniques for mitering corners at the hem: mitering seam allowance, mitering with a bias strip, and mitering binding in an exposed fashion.

How To Miter Fabric Corners Using Seam Allowance Excess​

Perhaps the easiest of all mitering techniques, this one uses the existing vertical (lengthwise) and horizontal (crosswise) seam allowance to enclose all raw edges into a diagonal corner seam. Folding and ironing makes the process fairly easy and straightforward.
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1. Fold the vertical fabric edge (lengthwise) down the seamline towards the wrong side of the fabric. ​Iron to crease along the seamline.
You may or may not already have the seamlines marked. If not marked, simply measure the seam allowance width from the fabric cut edge in using a gage pointer or ruler. Fold the fabric cut edge at this distance.
After ironing the fold, open the folded edge to view the crease mark.
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2. Repeat the folding and ironing process on the horizontal (crosswise) edge intersecting the corner. This edge usually corresponds to the hem. Open the folded edge to expose the fold line.
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Looking at the corner, the intersecting crease lines create a replica of the outer corner edge. These fold lines are placed at an even seam allowance throughout.  
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3. With the fabric wrong side up, fold the fabric corner in diagonally towards the wrong side of the fabric such that the inner crease corner intersects this diagonal fold as shown.
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Iron the diagonal fold in this position.
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4. Open the folded corner to expose the freshly-formed diagonal crease line.
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5. Fold the corner with fabric face sides touching such that the lengthwise (vertical) and crosswise (horizontal) edges are aligned. 
Insert pins to secure the corner in this folded position (do not iron this fold).
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In this position, the diagonal crease splits in half and both sides are overlapping as shown.
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6. Starting at the raw fabric edges, stitch the folded corner directly on top of the diagonal crease mark until you arrive at the corner fold.
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7. Trim the excess corner fabric down to ¼” away from the diagonal stitch applied in Step 6 above.
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To minimize bulk, trim diagonally at the corner point.
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8. Arrange the seam diagonally in relation to the finished corner. Iron the ¼” seam allowance edges open as shown.
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9. Flip the finished corner on its right side. The lengthwise and crosswise folds should naturally fall into place (as folded in Steps 1-2 above).
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Iron the finished edges one last time. The final mitered corner should lay flat and smooth, and have clearly defined corner edges.
Mitering A Fabric Corner With A Full Bias Facing ​
Mitering Fabric Corners With Exposed Binding
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  • Sewing Tutorials
    • Basics >
      • Aligning Pattern Grainlines To Fabric
      • Preparing Fabrics For Sewing
      • Pinning Sewing Patterns To Fabric
      • Placing Sewing Patterns On Fabric For Cutting
      • Rotary Cutters or Fabric Scissors?
      • Cutting The Sewing Patterns
      • What Are Notches And How To Use Them In The Sewing Process
      • Transferring Notches From Pattern To Fabric
      • Transferring Seamlines to Fabric
      • Staystitching
      • Backstitching: A Complete Guide
      • Hand Basting: A Complete Guide
      • Sewing Continuous Bias Binding
    • Darts >
      • Marking And Transferring Darts To Fabric
      • What Are Darts And Dart Components
      • Folding, Pinning And Hand Basting Darts
      • Handling Dart Excess: Bulk And Tension
      • How To Sew A French Dart
      • How To Sew And Iron Single Pointed Darts
      • How To Sew And Iron Contour Darts
      • Sewing Darts With Decorative/Beaded Fabrics
    • Sewing Seams >
      • ​The Basics Of Seams And Seam Allowance
      • How To Sew A Straight Seam
      • Sewing Curved Seams
      • Sewing Corner Seams
      • Trimming And Grading Seam Excess
      • Notching/Clipping Seam Allowance for Tension Release
      • Sewing Topstitched Seams
      • Sewing Corded Seams
      • Sewing A Slot Seam
      • Sewing A Gathered Seam
      • Sewing Bias Seams
      • Sewing Seams With Ease
      • Sewing Seams With Crossing Seamlines
      • Sewing Unlike Fabric Seams
      • How To Iron Seams: Ironing Tools And Conventions
      • Sewing With Knit Fabrics
      • Understanding Stitch Length And Tension
      • Sewing Unique Fabric Seams
    • Seam Finishes >
      • Seam Finishing Techniques - Overview
      • Applying A Pinked Seam Finish
      • Applying A Bias Bound Seam Finish
      • Serging And Zigzag Seam Finishes
      • Sewing A Self-Bound Seam Finish
      • Sewing A French Seam Finish
      • Sewing A Hong Kong Seam Finish
      • Sewing A Mock French Seam Finish
      • Sewing A Turned-and-Stitched Seam Finish
      • Sewing Overcast Hand-Applied Seam Finishes
      • Sewing A Flat Felled Seam
      • Sewing A Hairline Seam Finish
    • Hem Finishes >
      • Garment Hem Finishes: Overview
      • ​Sewing A Double Fold Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Single Fold Hem Finish
      • Sewing Bound Hem Finishes
      • Sewing An Exposed Double Layer Bound Hem
      • Sewing A Folded-Up Bound Hem with Pre-folded Binding
      • Sewing A Hong Kong Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Band Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Bias Faced Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Twill Tape Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Rolled Hem Finish
      • Sewing A Shaped Hem Facing
      • Using Fusible Hem Tape And Webbing
      • Finishing A Lace Fabric Hem
      • Finishing A Leather Hem
      • Sewing Faced Hem Corners
      • How To Finish Lining At The Hem
      • Finishing Fabric Corners by Mitering >
        • Mitering Fabric Corners With A Full Bias Facing
        • Mitering Fabric Corners With Exposed Binding
      • Interfacing A Hemline: Lined And Unlined Examples
    • Sewing Pockets >
      • Curved Patch Pocket With Flap
      • Unlined Square Patch Pockets
      • Lined Patch Pockets: Two Ways
      • Extension On-Seam Pockets
      • Separate On-Seam Pocket
      • Front Hip Pockets
      • Bound Double Welt Pocket
      • Double Welt Pocket With Flap
      • Self-Welt Pocket (Using Single Fabric Layer)
      • Slanted Welt Pocket (Hand-Stitched)
      • Faced Slash Pockets: Overview >
        • Sewing A Faced Slit Pocket
        • Sewing A Rectangular Slash Pocket
        • Sew A Star-Shaped Faced Pocket
    • Sewing Zippers >
      • Sewing Zippers: General Information
      • Sewing A Centered Zipper
      • Sewing A Lapped Zipper
      • Sewing An Invisible Zipper
      • Sewing A Fly Front Zipper
      • Sewing A Closed-End Exposed Zipper (No Seam)
      • Sewing An Exposed Separating Zipper
      • Sewing Hand Stitched Zipper Applications
      • Sewing A Zipper Underlay
      • Sewing A Placket-Enclosed Separating Zipper
    • Sleeveless Finishes >
      • Sleeveless Armhole Finishes: General Information
      • Finishing Sleeveless Garments with Lining
      • Sewing A Folded-Under Bound Armhole Finish
      • Sewing A Shaped Armhole Facing
      • Finishing Armhole Edges With Exposed Binding
      • Finishing Armhole Edges With Decorative Trim
    • Neckline Finishes >
      • Sewing A Neck Shaped Facing
      • Sewing An All-In-One Neck Facing
      • Neck And Garment Opening Combination Facings >
        • Sewing An Extended Front-Neck Facing
        • Sewing A Separate Neck-Front Facing
      • Sewing A Bias Faced Neckline Finish
      • Sewing A Band Neckline Finish
      • Bound Neckline Finishes: Overview >
        • Sewing A Single Layer Bound Neckline
        • Finishing A Neckline With Pre-Folded Binding
        • Sewing A Double Layer Bound Neckline Finish
      • Sewing A Semi-Stretch Strip Band Neckline
      • Ribbed Neck Band And Classic Turtleneck
      • Decorative Neckline Finishes >
        • Sewing A Neckline With Decorative Inset
        • Sewing A Piped Cording Faced Neckline
        • Sewing Decorative Trim To A Finished Neckline
    • Finishing Facing Edges >
      • Finishing Facing Edges: Overview
      • Folded-And-Topstitched Overedge Facing Finish
      • Sewing A Bound Facing Edge Finish
      • Sewing A Hong Kong Facing Finish
      • Sewing A Rolled Edge Facing Finish
      • Sewing A Twill Tape Facing Edge Finish
      • Sewing An Overedge-Stitch Facing Finish
    • Extras >
      • A Complete Guide on Interfacing
      • Sewing Bound Spaghetti Straps
      • Sewing Spaghetti Straps To A Faced Neckline
      • Sewing Ruffles: Overview
      • Patterning And Sewing A Circle Ruffle
      • Sewing A Gathered Heading Ruffle
      • Sewing Double Layer Gathered Ruffles
      • Sewing A Gathered Ruffle Into A Seam
      • Sewing A Gathered Ruffle To A Fabric Edge
      • Sewing A Fabric Surface Slit
      • Sewing A Slit Seam
      • Hand-Applied Straight Stitches
      • Hand-Applied Blind Stitches
      • Hand-Applied Overedge Stitches
      • Hand-Applied Tack Stitches
      • Hand-Applied Decorative Stitches
  • Custom Apparel
    • Custom Bridal
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