How to Sew a Bar Tack (+ video!)

 

Need some extra reinforcement on those high-stress points in your sewing project? You’ll spot bar tacks on our sewing patterns like the Winnie trousers, Thea trousers, Pearl cardigan, Cece joggers and Ness skirt - where they’re often used to strengthen pocket corners, zip flies, and openings. A bar tack is a short, secure zigzag stitch that helps your handmade clothes stand up to everyday wear and tear.

In this beginner-friendly tutorial, we’ll show you how to sew a bar tack using your regular sewing machine. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be adding them to all your makes!

Scroll down to watch the video tutorial.

What is a bar tack?

A bar tack is a short, dense zigzag stitch used to reinforce stress points on garments. You'll often find them at:

• The top corners of pockets
• Zip fly openings
• The edges of openings that need extra durability

Bar tacks don’t just serve a functional purpose - they also give your handmade clothes a professional-looking finish. 

Fitting the Winnie Trousers

Our Winnie trouser sewing pattern aims to blend comfort with style with a softly rounded barrel-leg shape, a flat-fronted elasticated high waistband, and optional pockets. Nailing the fit at waist, hip, and length means a polished finished result. 

In this post, we’ll guide you through how Winnie is designed to fit, how to adjust the rise and leg length, how to grade between different waist and hip sizes, and how to fine-tune the waistband fit.

How the Winnie trousers are designed to fit

• The waistband is flat‑fronted with elastic at the back for a comfy yet clean silhouette
• The barrel leg is gently rounded, the side seam towards the front, and the leg skimming the body without clinging
• The ankle-skimming hem strikes a modern balance - comfortable with flats or boots

Winnie is available in printed and layered PDF formats, with sizes UK 6–34 / US 2–30 / EUR 34–62. Sizes 7-15 (UK 18-34) have been drafted, fitted and graded separately to the other sizes to create a better fit for different proportions, with a bit more room at the waist and a deeper rise.

New Sewing Pattern! Meet the Winnie Barrel Leg Trousers

Embrace barrel-leg style with the Winnie trousers

Looking for your next wardrobe staple that’s both stylish and easy to sew? Introducing the Winnie barrel leg trouser pattern, featuring a modern barrel-leg silhouette and comfy pull-on design. Designed for confident beginners and beyond, Winnie is your wardrobe’s missing piece - ready to be worn again and again.

Available in printed and PDF formats, in sizes UK 6–34 / US 2–30 / EUR 34–62.

GET THE WINNIE PATTERN

Winnie trouser pattern design details

Here’s what makes the Winnie trousers a sewing project you'll reach for over and over:

• Barrel‑leg shape that flatters with a gently rounded silhouette
• Flat‑front elastic waistband with no zips, no buttons, no fuss
• Ankle‑skimming length that transitions effortlessly through the seasons
• Optional pockets – curved front, back patch, or both!
• Jargon‑free, step‑by‑step photo instructions make sewing a breeze
• Ideal for confident beginners, or anyone craving a quick, satisfying make
  
  

GET THE WINNIE PATTERN

How to Sew an Exposed Frill Seam

Want to give your gathered seams a pretty, professional-looking finish? Try sewing an exposed frill seam – it adds a gorgeous textured detail to skirts, dresses and sleeves, and it’s much easier than it looks!

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to sew an exposed frill seam step by step. 

We’re demonstrating the technique on the Luella skirt pattern, but you can also use it to attach a gathered skirt or sleeves to a dress, like the Indigo smock top + dress, or even the lower part of a two-piece sleeve such as the Marnie blouse + mini dress - or anywhere you want to attach a gathered piece with a neat, visible finish.

Watch the video below to see the technique in action, or scroll down for step-by-step instructions!

What you’ll need

• Your sewing project – we’re using the Luella skirt sewing pattern
• Sewing machine
• Overlocker/serger (optional)
• Thread – matching and contrast
• Pins and scissors
• Tape measure
• Iron and ironing board