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Fashion & Textiles vocabulary · Sewing & Construction

Seam allowance

Meaning in fashion & textiles, with examples

/ˈsiːm əˌlaʊəns/nounCore term

In fashion & textiles, seam allowance means: The extra fabric between the stitching line and the cut edge of a pattern piece, which makes it possible to sew and finish the seam.

In Turkish: dikiş payı

How it is used

Pattern makers add seam allowances to the net pattern; factories often use 1 cm, while home sewing patterns commonly use 1.5 cm (5/8 inch). Comments like seam allowance included or not included are important on patterns sent between companies.

Example sentences

  1. All patterns include a 1 cm seam allowance unless marked otherwise.

  2. Leave a wider seam allowance at the centre back so the trousers can be let out later.

Common collocations

  • add seam allowance
  • seam allowance included
  • 1 cm seam allowance
  • trim the seam allowance
  • seamThe line where two or more pieces of fabric are joined together, usually by sewing, such as the side seam or shoulder seam of a garment.
  • patternA paper or digital template for each piece of a garment, used to cut the fabric; it also means a repeated decorative design on fabric.
  • alterationA change made to a finished garment so that it fits a particular person better, such as shortening sleeves or taking in the waist.
  • take inTo make a garment or part of it narrower or tighter by sewing the seams further in, for example at the waist or side seams.

More terms: Sewing & Construction

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