Seam (sewing)

Seams are finished with a variety of techniques to prevent raveling of raw fabric edges and to neaten the inside of garments.

[6] In a faux flat felled seam, two pieces of fabric are sewn with wrong sides together, usually at 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm).

Traditional home sewing techniques for finishing plain seams include trimming with pinking shears, oversewing with a zig-zag stitch, and hand or machine overcasting.

[7] Bound seams are often used on lightweight fabrics including silk and chiffon and on unlined garments to produce a neat finish.

In a Hong Kong finish, a bias strip of fabric is cut to the width of the seam allowance plus 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm).

The bias strip is placed on top of the seam allowance, right sides together, and stitched 1⁄8 inch (0.3 cm) from raw edges.

It can also be used for styling and functional purposes involving pleats, vents, flare toward the hem or for back closures such as buttoned plackets or zippers.

[10] Princess seams in the front or back run from the shoulder or armscye to the hem at the side-back or side-front.

Princess seams shape the garment to the body's curves and eliminate the need for darting at the bust, waist, and shoulder.

[11] An inseam is the seam from the bottom crotch to the lower ankle that binds the length of the inner trouser leg.