I'm newer to garmet sewing, which is why I love sewing with Oliver + S patterns. I follow the instructions VERY exactly until I get some confidence that I know what I'm doing. Anyway, I've just finished a Sailboat top and wondered why we finish seam allowances after we sew a seam? I usually just zigzag stitch mine, and it seems like it'd be easier to do that before I sew the seam. To be specific, on the Sailboat top when you're sewing the side seams and sleeves and then finish the seam allowance - but I remember thinking the same thing when I made the Bedtime PJs.
I'm all for short cuts and may finish the seam allowances first next time, but I thought I'd at least find out why the instructions tell me to do it afterwards. Thanks!