Types of Seam Used in Garments Manufacturing

Types of Seam Used in Garments Manufacturing

What is Seam in Apparel?

A seam is the combination of the stitch which makes a line to join two plies of fabric. The seam is used not only for functional purposes but also for decorative purposes. Types of Seam is totally depended on buyer requirements.

Types of Seam Used in Apparel Manufacturing:

There are eight types of seam used in apparel manufacturing. Those are mentioned in the following:

1. Class-01: Superimposed seam,
2. Class-02: Lapped seam,
3. Class-03: Bound seam,
4. Class-04: Flat seam,
5. Class-05: Ornamental seam,
6. Class-06: Edge neatening seam,
7. Class-07: Applied seam
8. Class-08: Others seam

All the above types of seam are discussed below:

1. Class-01: Superimposed seam:

The superimposed seam is the most common method of seaming in garments manufacturing. This seam is formed by superimposing the edge of one piece of material on another. Superimposed seam has various types which are- plain seam, French seams, and Double machine seam. The superimposed seam is placed on the top side of the garments. This type of seam is used in collar, cuff sewing, cuff top-stitching, collar band attach sewing and top stitching, side seam and sleeve attach with safety-sticker.

2. Class-02: Lapped seam:

The lapped seam is formed by lapping two pieces of fabric. This type of seam is not common in clothing because it creates problems with raw edges where one ply of fabric fold under itself for a finished edge. The lapped seam is used in the main seaming of denim jackets, side seam and inseam of jeans, side seams of shirts, joining lace fabric to another fabric, attaching patch pockets, and in various decorative finishing.

3. Class-03: Bound seam:

The bound seam is consists of edges of fabrics that are bound by a stripe of fabric. This type of seam is made to the finish and edge of a garment. The bound seam is used in sewing necklines, sleeves hems, inside waistbands of trousers and pants, finishing seams on unlined jackets and coats.

4. Class-04: Flat-seam:

Flat seams are referred to as flat seams because the fabric edges do not overlap. This type of seam is constructed by having two pieces of fabric meet precisely at their edges. A cover stitch is used here to sew the two pieces of fabric together. This type of stitch has multiple needles and creates a stitch perpendicular to the seam line, which creates a flat seam. The plain seam is flat. The flat seam is used in close-fitting garments where the seam allowance may put pressure on the body, high-stretch fabrics athletic apparel, shapewear, undergarments, lingerie, swimwear, thermal underwear, sweatshirts with side panels, or with raglan sleeves, eliminating bulk at seams, seaming pelts.

5. Class-05: Ornamental seam:

The ornamental seam is made using machines with zigzag capability, which is used on a plain seam on woven or knit fabric. The main using purpose of this seam is for decorative sewing where single or multiple rows of stitches are sewn through one or more layers of fabric. These several layers can be folds of the same fabric.

6. Class-06: Edge neatening seam:

Stitching work made on the fabric edges for neatening. This type of seam is produced with one piece of the component. Edge neatening seam has one limited edge on one end. This type of seam is constructed with one or two plies of fabric used to finish the edge of a garment or item. Edge neatening seam has three finishing types. Firstly- ensures a folded edge to the shell fabric by stitching either on the face or back. Secondly- stitching is used at the edge or to cover the raw edges, and may or may not be folded. Thirdly- applies a binding on a single ply of a seam allowance to finish raw edges.

7. Class-07: Applied seam

This type of seam is related to the addition of separate items to the edge of a garment part. The seam is produced with a minimum of two pieces of component, where one component is limited on one end, and the other narrow one is limited on both ends.

8. Class-08: Others seam

Here, only one piece of the component involved in the construction of the seam, here stitches is applied on its edges. This type of seam is produced with a minimum of one piece of the component with a limited edge on two ends. This class is commonly used for waist belts and belt loops.

Speech from the writer:

If you read this article with full attention, then you can easily answer the following questions in the interview:

1. What is a seam?
2. Mention the definition of the seam.
3. Describe the seam used in clothing.
4. Describe the classification of the seam.

Mayedul Islam

Mayedul Islam is a Founder and Editor of Garments Merchandising. He is an Expert in Garments Merchandising. Writing is his passion. He loves to write articles about Apparel, Textile and Garment Washing specially on Merchandising. Mail him at mayedul.islam66@gmail.com