Shape corners after turning

Inspect before turning

Check that the seam is closed at the corner and catches both layers. A tiny unstitched section becomes a noticeable hole when turned. Correct it while the wrong side is still accessible. The seam should turn cleanly without a large thread knot caused by repeatedly reversing over the same spot.

At a right-angled outside corner, trim the excess allowance diagonally while leaving cloth between the cut and stitching. The amount depends on the weave; loose fabrics need more reserve than dense ones. A blanket instruction to cut directly beside the thread would therefore be unreliable.

Keep the shaping tool blunt

Turn the work through its opening and release the larger areas first. Ease the corner outward with a blunt point turner. A scissor tip can pierce the seam before you recognize the resistance. Even a blunt tool should not be forced against the final millimeter.

Roll the seam between finger and thumb to bring its edges outward. Often the shape is already correct but an allowance folded inside hides it. Free that area with small movements. A soft fabric corner can remain slightly rounded; it does not need to resemble a sharply cut paper point.

Give layered fabric enough room

Lined pieces may contain several overlapping allowances. Before turning, consider grading selected layers to reduce bulk without weakening the seam. Do not trim every layer blindly to the same tiny width. Once the corner is turned, the arrangement becomes much harder to inspect.

Press the shaped corner at a suitable temperature and let it cool flat, without pulling it tight. Persistent bulk may come from excess cloth inside or an overly rounded stitching line. Reopen part of the turning gap if necessary and inspect again. Topstitching can hold an established shape, but it cannot remove a large internal fabric lump. For the next version, a thinner construction may be a better adjustment than trimming even closer to the seam.