Best method for sewing fully lined vents on a garment like a pro !
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Best method for sewing fully lined vents on a garment | Professional finish
Vents add elegance and ease of movement to coats, jackets, and skirts — but when the garment is fully lined, finishing them neatly requires care and precision. This tutorial guides you step by step through the professional method for perfectly lined vents, clean inside and out.
Materials needed
- Matching thread
- Chalk or erasable pencil
- Scissors
- Iron
- Pins or clips
Step-by-step instructions
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Sew the main fabric
Place the two back pieces of the main fabric right sides together. Mark the seam allowance and the two crossing points with chalk as shown in the video, then stitch to the second point. Cut diagonally to the corner without cutting through the stitching, then press the upper seam open. Mark the seam allowance along the bottom edge, check both sides match, and mark the corner point on the right piece. Sew the corner section right sides together, trim, turn, and shape the corner cleanly.
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Sew the lining
Place the lining back pieces right sides together and mark the seam lines. Sew to the first cross point, lift the presser foot, clip diagonally to the point without cutting the stitching, lower the foot, pivot, and continue to the next point. Then place the right side of the lining against the right side of the main fabric at the bottom edge, pin, and stitch the bottom seam.
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Attach the lining to the left vent
For the left vent piece, place the vertical edges of the main fabric and lining right sides together, matching the top edges. Pin carefully all the way down — when you reach the bottom, fold the hem of the main fabric and let the lining fall naturally before continuing to pin. Sew, then turn to the right side and shape the corner precisely.
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Finish the right vent piece
Draw a line on the lining where the main fabric hem ends. Place the lining and main fabric right sides together and sew both layers up to this point. Clip the lining diagonally at the top. Fold the vertical edge seam allowance of the lining to the wrong side, then fold the lining hem to match the inner edge of the main fabric hem. Turn the lining, keeping its corner in place, align it right sides together with the main fabric hem, pin, and sew carefully — this is the trickiest step, so take your time.
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Final step
From the wrong side, stitch the vent’s vertical seam — lining to main fabric — to keep everything securely in place. Give the finished vent a final press and your fully lined vent is beautifully complete.
Pro tip
Press every seam as you sew — this is the single most important habit for a vent that lies perfectly flat. A well-pressed seam at each step makes the next step easier to handle and gives the finished vent its crisp, professional appearance inside and out.
Want to practice? Discover our pattern that features this elegant detail
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