Curved seams can be tricky, but two techniques—clipping and notching—help them lie perfectly. Have you ever sewn a garment where a seam doesn’t lay right, bubbles, or twists? This often happens when you forget to clip or notch curved edges. Curved seams can create excess bulk or pulling because the stitch line length differs from the fabric edge length. When turned right side out, the seam may not conform or lie flat. Clipping or notching the seam allowance solves this by allowing adjustment. These methods are also useful when attaching curved edges to straight edges.
When to Clip vs Notch? Clipping is for concave curves (inward, sunken, like necklines or armholes). Notching is for convex curves (outward, like bustlines or dipped hems). Read on to learn how to apply each technique. CLIPPING For concave curves, clip into the seam allowance at a vertical angle to the stitching, getting as close as possible without cutting through it. Do this every 1/2 inch. Too much clipping weakens fabric, but too little won’t allow movement. Clipping lets the seam allowance spread out, helping it conform to the shape when turned right side out. It also helps when attaching a curved edge to a straight edge, like a skirt waist to a waistband: sew a 5/8″ staystitch on the curve, then clip to make it lie flat for joining. NOTCHING For convex curves, notch out small V shapes from the seam allowance every 1/2 inch, again avoiding the stitching. This removes excess fabric that causes bunching when turned right side out. Unlike clipping, notching lets the fabric come closer together without bulk, resulting in a neat, flat finish. Do these tips make sense? Share your own curved edge techniques!