STITCHES AND SEAMS

Kyndra Smith-Jackson
 STITCHES AND SEAMS

• What is a seam?
• A seam is a line over which two or more pieces of fabric are laid over one another.
• What is a stitch?
• A stitch is how threads interlace between two or more fabrics which joins them
together.
 SEAM CLASSIFICATIONS

• Flat
• Super Imposed
• Decorative
• Lapped
• Edge Neatening
• Bound
 SUPER-IMPOSED

• Seams that have two or more piles of fabric that are overlaid with raw edges
aligned and sewn together at a certain distance
• Can be used with:
• Side seams of skirts, dresses, slacks, jeans, elastics, cuffs, collars…etc
 LAPPED

• Seams that have two or more piles of fabric that are overlaid with raw edges
exposed or the seam is folded under and stitched
• Can be used with:
• Denim jackets, jeans, fabrics that do not unravel, garments that are unlined..etc
 BOUND

• Formed by sewing one or two pieces of fabric and binding it

• Can be used with:
• Neckline finishes, sleeve hems, waistbands, coats, decorative detail..etc
 FLAT

• Formed by having two pieces of fabric meet at the edges. Then the cover stitch
is used to sew the pieces together
• Can be used with:
• Close fitting garments, high stretch fabrics, athletic wear, undergarments,
swimwear..etc
 DECORATIVE

• Seam is made with machines that have zig zag stitch capability
• Can be used with:
• Typically a design detail, things such as piping, cording, tucking, inverted or box
pleats..etc
 STITCHES CLASSIFICATION

• Class 100 • Class 400

• Class 200 • Class 500

• Class 300 • Class 600

 CLASS 100

• These are defined as chain stitches that are produced by more than one
needle that interlope the thread
• Can be used with:
• Hemming, belts, padding, used in temporary stitching or for blind stitching
 CLASS 200

• Originates from hand stitches. Produced with 1 thread.

• Can be used with:
• Couture dresses, jackets, sample garments
 CLASS 300

• This stitch is produced with one or more groups of threads. They are joined by
interlacing.
• Can be used with:
• Underwear, decorative, many types of apparel..etc
 CLASS 400

• Formed with 2 or more groups of thread. Machines such as sergers and cover
stitch machines are an example
• Can be used with:
• Used for setting elastic in waistbands and sometimes decorative stitches
 CLASS 500

• Formed with 2 or more groups of thread. Machines such as sergers and cover
stitch machines are an example much like class 400
• Can be used with:
• Neatening the edges of knitted fabrics, sports wear, dance wear…etc