Seam Definition
A seam is the sewing line that sews two or more textiles together. They can be any material such as fabric or leather to keep them together with stitches. It is the most fundamental component of the garment. The seam line meaning is the stitching line running parallel to the seam.
Industrial-based sewing machines sew the seams in modern bulk-produced outdoor supplies, household textiles, footwear, and apparel. Knitting, dressmaking, home shoemaking, etc., use a blend of machine and hand sewing.
If you want to start a clothing brand or a sewing service, you should have a sound knowledge of seams. In garment manufacturing, there are different seam classifications.
Use of Seams in Garments
Stitches are a vital component of every fabric and apparel, as they help connect materials to give an appearance to the product.
- Different stitches help create varied looks for the garment.
- Stitches gather the cloth and make pleats.
- They add shape to the components, such as darts.
Seam Classes
Flat Seam – Butt Seam
The cloth edges do not overlap in Flat Seams. Manufacturers stitch them across with two needles stitching into the fabric and covering threads running back and forth between the needles on both sides without a gap. Garment producers use this seam to keep the seam line from being bulky or thick.
Bound Seam
It is the binding of the edge of one material with another. Along with the likelihood of other components in the binding, too. It looks like a French seam from the right half. Stitches are not visible on the upper half of the fabric, and it covers the cloth edges perfectly.
French seam
Apparel producers use it on light-weighted and delicate (fragile) fabrics like chiffon and organza. It uses a lot of material and can become bulky with heavier fabrics. It is ideal for clothing articles where the stitching needs not to be visible because the edges are out of sight.
Lapped Seam
It is also known as Tucked Seam. Garment producers usually use it for fabrics that do not shred, such as leather or fleece. It means to lap two cloths – the right part of the fabric facing upwards. However, it is not usual in clothing because it is a source of complications with raw edges.
Superimposed Seam
It is the most basic and typical seam manufacturer uses on apparel. Manufacturers create it by imposing the edges of two pieces of cloth on top of each other. They use various stitch types to neaten the edges, connect the materials, or perform both simultaneously.
Hairline Seam
A type of encircled stitching that garment manufacturers use for enclosed areas such as collars in a shirt. They are not out of sight from the outside. Also, to make the seam strong, you can make a top stitch over it.
Piped or Corded Seam
Manufacturers insert a cording covered in the fabric between the seam lines. Producers use this decorative stitching on home decorating fabrics, pockets, cuffs, or collars.
Know What Type of Seam You Should Use
Now you are aware of a few of the various seam types available. How do you decide which one to use? You must know your goals. It would act as a good indicator for it.
Common Goals For Seaming
Hiding edges
If you need to hide the raw edges of stitching, try the following.
- Hong Kong Finish
- Flat-felled Seam
- French Seam
Shaping the Apparel
- Viennese Seam
- Princess Seam
Use of Seams in Garments
There are two divisions of seams. One is fancy, and the other is functional.
Decorative
Decorative seams outline the apparel and give a visual appearance to it.
Channel Seam
When the user moves, the channel seam establishes an open network across a contrasting piece of cloth, revealing a flash of pattern or color.
Viennese Seam
It resembles the Princess Seam in appearance. It is a curved seam that links the front panels of apparel, emphasizing a curved figure of the body. However, unlike the Princess Seam, it starts at the armhole, not the shoulder.
Linen Seam
It uses an embroidered or decorative stitch to unite two cloth pieces at the edges. It is not especially strong but is attractive.
Hong Kong Seam
It is a finishing technique and is commonly known as Hong Kong Finish. You can bind or serge the seam edges using seam tape to give them a Hong Kong look. A contrasting color or pattern seam tape inside the garment may offer a classy touch. Unlined clothing and jackets are the most common uses of this technology.
Princess seam
It is one of the ornamental seams that can handle a lot of work. Clothing of women has Princess seams the most. They exclude the need for darts as they shape the body of the garment to a curved waistline.
Apparel Creation
Most apparel has joined seams of fabric pieces. Below is a list of seams:
Inseams
They connect the parts on the insides of the trouser legs.
Front and Back seams
They join the right and left parts of the garment.
Side Seams
They link the back and front pieces of apparel.
Shoulder Seams
They bind the shoulders of the cloth together.
Quality Measures of Stitches
Although the functional or aesthetic needs determine the type of stitch, you can measure the quality of the seams depending on the factors listed below:
Seam Strength
It is the force necessary to burst apart a seam, either by breaking the sewed material or thread.
Seam Slippage Strength
It is the effort necessary to pull out a certain quantity of yarn of the opposing strands perpendicular to the seam lines.
Seam Size
It helps determine the width, length, and depth of the seam.
Common Questions
What is a Welt Seam?
Garment producers stitch it with cord welting in it. Thick stitching is first done on the opposite side and then on the right side.
What is a Top Stitch Seam?
Topstitch is a stitching row on the garment top that improves the appearance while giving a finishing look to its raw edges.
What Is The Most Secure Seam?
The most solid seams are ‘Flat Felled Seams’ that have hidden raw edges and do not unravel. They have a neat finish. Thus, manufacturers use it on thick and thin fabrics both.
How Many Types of Seams Are There?
There are eight seams classes described as per ISO 4916:1991.
What Are The Two Types of Seams?
Stitches can either be closed or open. A Closed seam combines the seam inlays within the seam finish and helps it become invisible. However, an open stitch integrates the seam allowance where the fabric between the stitches and the edge of the material is visible.
What Are Examples of Seams?
- Lapped Seam
- Double-stitched Seam
- Bound Seam
- Plain Seam
- Welt Seam
- French Seam
- Flat-felled Seam
