The Upholstery Forum

Hello all! Back for another question.
I have two panels backed with 1/2" scrim and edge-sewn around the perimeter. I have attempted to do flat felled (top stitching) but the darn foam getw in the way preventing me from folding over the salvage to get a clean top stitch. The salvage wants to flip around (hard to keep to one side). I have tried trimming back the foam on both salvages but the edge stitch prevents me from removing much of the foam. This leads to a very bulky seam.

How does one sew a neat top stitch on two panels backed with 1/2" sew foam? I know you guys and gals have the solution to my dilemma so, thanks in advance.

BTW from a former post regarding large panels, I decided to go with a center panel. Will post an update to the project as soon as I figure out how to do these pesky top stitches.

I cut the foam at the stitch, and at an angle, being careful not to cut the thread. I use that 1/2" on boat seats.

Here are some pics of the way I have been doing my top stitching.
Step 1 (Pic 1) Edge stitch around the perimeter (1/2” sew foam).
Step 2 Join the panels with a ½” seam allowance.
Step 3 Panels top stitched. (Top stitch is a bit too close to edge).
Step 4 (Pic 2 & 3 ) Seam allowance foam trimmed back. The edge stitches from step 1 prevented closer trimming.

From what you have said, I think my problem is sewing around the perimeter on the seam allowance where the top stitch will go. I think at least one of the edges on the two seam allowances should not be edge stitched, making it possible to strip back more of the foam before top stitching.

Any additional thoughts would be appreciated.

I see your dilema and on the right side piece I would be trimming that foam down to almost nothing prior to sewingthe two piece togehter. Yes more work but may give a cleaner look ?

Good question! After you sew your basic seam you have to trim off the foam in the seam allowance as close as you can to the stitch.
When ever I know I will be doing french seams on a cover I try to avoid using 1/2" in those areas but its not always possible

I may be doing a wrong thing, but, when I have 1/2" foam and I want smooth clean transitions, I will cut the foam short for the seam allowance. Meaning, that if I have a 1/2" seam allowance there is no foam on the seam allowance. This way I can lay the fabric back and there is no bulk material. And Yes, it is difficult to do on some panels. Well, for me anyway.

@Cale, if you have some spare material can you just do a piece up like that for us? It would save us all massive agony doing it that way.

@cale yes thats another way of achieving the same result. Nothing wrong with doing it that way.