BASIC SEWING PROCESSES: STITCHES, SEAM AND SEAM FINISHES

STITCHING

Stitching is the process of passing threaded needle and thread in and out of a material to make a specific design. The design produced is made up of stitches

IMPORTANCE OF STITCHES IN CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION

1. To join two or more pieces of fabric together
2. To make decorative design on article
3. To mend tears in clothes.

TYPES OF STITCHES

There are three types of stitches namely temporary, the permanent and the decorative stitches.

1. Temporary stitches: These hold pieces of fabric together temporarily. They are removed as soon as they have served their purpose e.g. even basting or tacking, diagonal basting, tailor’s tack.
2. Permanent stitches: They are used for joining two or separate pieces of material together permanently e.g. running stitches, back stitch, hemming stitch.
3. Simple Embroidery or decorative stitches: They are used for decorating the garments. Some can also be used for finishing raw edges e.g. stem stitch, chain stitch, satin stitch, French knots etc.

SEAM

A seam is a line of stitching that joins two or more pieces of cloth.

POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING SEAM

1. Types of fabric
2. The use of the fabric
3. Position of the seam
4. The person to wear the cloth.

TYPES OF SEAM

1. Open or plain seam
2. French seam
3. Run and fell seam
4. Lapped or overlaid seam

SEAM FINISHES

  Seam finish is the basic sewing process used to neaten the raw edges of a seam especially the open seam.

ADVANTAGES OF SEAM FINISHES

1. It prevents the raw edges from fraying.
2. It prolongs the life of the article.
3. It makes the finished works neat.          
4. It gives the finished work a professional look.

SEAM FINISH PROCESS

1. Pinking
2. Overcastting
3. Edge stitching
4. Zig-zag
5. Bound seam finishing.

TO DO AT HOME:

1.Find out the meaning of the following

(i) Facing (ii) Hem

2. What are the uses of facing?

3. What are the guidelines for making a hem?