Seam and Seam Finishes
WHAT IS SEAM? * Line of stitching. * Hold two pieces of fabric together. * Basic part of garment construction. * Secured by backstitching.

What is a Seam Finish? * Finish applied to raw edge of seam allowance. * Prevents fraying, curling and strengthens fabric.
The type of finish you choose for your seams depends on * Type of fabric * How neat you want your seams to look * Durability * Firmly woven fabrics do not need seam finishes. * Loosely-woven and sheer fabrics do require seam finishes.
What are the basic seam finishes? * Plain Seam * Pinked seam Finish * Pinked and Stitched * Zigzag Finish * Clean-Finish Seam Finish * Narrow Seam Finish * Flat Felled Seam Finish * French Seam Finish * Serged Seam Finish
Plain Seam * The most common type of seam. * Made with one line of stitching, usually with right side of fabric to right side. * Standard seam 5/8 inch
Pinked Seam Finish * Used on fabrics that will not ravel. Gives a neat appearance.
Pinked and Stitched * Used on fabrics that will ravel slightly.
Zigzag finish * Used on fabrics that ravel. May be done either close to the seam edge or over the edge of a seam.
Clean-Finish Seam Finish * Also called a turned and stitched seam finish. * The edges of the seam allowance are turned under and stitched. * Suitable for Light to medium weight fabrics. Narrow Seam Finish * The narrow seam finish is often used to control the curling seam allowances of knit fabrics. It also reduces the size of the seam allowance, making it more comfortable to wear * Suitable for Children clothing, or any fabric that needs extra strength
Flat Felled Seam Finish The raw edge of the seam allowance is encased, then topstitched on the outside. * Suitable for Most fabrics. Items that need durable seams.
French Seam Finish * The raw edge of the seam allowance is enclosed in a secondary seam * Suitable For Light weight fabrics and fabrics that are prone to raveling. Ideal for items that will have visible seams.
Serged Seam Finish * A line of overcast stitches is sewn over the raw edge of the seam allowance. * Suitable on most fabrics

PLAIN SEAM Zigzag finish

Pinked and Stitched Clean-Finish Seam Finish

Pinked Seam Finish Narrow Seam Finish

Flat Felled Seam Finish Serged Seam Finish

French Seam Finish

1. SEAM FINISH is a treatment that secures and neatens the raw edges of a plain seam to prevent raveling, by sewing over the raw edges or enclosing them in some sort of binding 2. PLAIN SEAM
It is the most common type of seam that is made with one line of stitching, usually with right side of fabric to right side 3. PINKED SEAM FINISH * It is used on fabrics that will not ravel and gives a neat appearance. 4. PINKED AND STITCHED * Used on fabrics that will ravel slightly. 5. ZIGZAG FINISH * Used on fabrics that ravel. It can be done either close to the seam edge or over the edge of a seam. 6. CLEAN-FINISH SEAM FINISH
The edges of the this seam allowance are turned under and stitched, it is also called a turned and stitched seam finish 7. NARROW SEAM FINISH * This seam is suitable for Children clothing, or any fabric that needs extra strength 8. FLAT FELLED SEAM FINISH This seam finish includes a topstitched finish. It is useful for keeping seam allowances flat and covering raw edges. 9. FRENCH SEAM FINISH
A seam with the raw edges enclosed, suitable for light weight fabrics and fabrics that are prone to raveling 10. SERGED SEAM FINISH * These seam has a line of overcast stitches sewn over the raw edge of the seam allowance this is suitable on most fabrics