Sewing | Seam | Properties of seam

Sewing:  Joining of fabric by the use of needle and thread is called sewing. Sewing section is the biggest section in a garments industry. It is done to produce seam. Sewing department is the heart of a manufacturing unit. Cut components are assembled in sewing department in assembly line.
List of sub-processes those are done in sewing department includes.

• Making garment parts
• Sewing full garment
• Making garment accessories like dori, tabs, cords etc
• Checking of stitched garments
• Alteration work of defective garments

Seam: Seam can be defined by flowing ways:

  - The line of joining fabric is called seam.
  - The application of a series of joining of fabric by sewing is called seam
  - Seam is the join between two or more piles of material. 

The joining line of two or more layer of fabrics is called seam. The most common system of joining fabric is sewing. But, except sewing there are also some process of joining fabric/. Such as, adhesive, welding, fusing etc. This process can also produce seam. That is when two or more layer of fabrics are joined by sewing or any other process, then this process of joining line is called seam.

Properties of seam : Properties of seam are assessed on the following aspects

• Seam Appearance 
• Seam Performance

Now, Details are given below:
Seam Appearance:

•  Stitch should be uniform.
•  Interlacing or interloping point should be remained in the middle of two layers of fabrics.
•  Stitch should be equal in number per inch.
•  Fabrics must not be torn/melt during producing seam

Seam Performance:

• Seam strength: Seam strength is one of the most important requirement for producing seam. But this strength must be more that fabric strength. In that case, fabric may be torn due to seam strength.
• Seam elasticity/extensibility: There are some garments where fabric need to be extended 100% that the original length. If seam does not allow this elasticity/extensibility, then discomfort may arise to  the wearer of that garments. That’s why, a seam must have a minimum elasticity/extensibility which is equal of somewhat more than fabric elasticity/extensibility.  
• Seam security: Seam security is another important issue regarding producing seam. That’s why, every seam must be secured at the end of seam line by break stitching.
• Seam durability: Every garments has it’s minimum life time. If, seam durability is less than fabric  durability, then, that garment cannot be used to the last of its life time. But seam cost is very much less than overall garment/fabric cost. That’s why, seam durability must be less than fabric durability.

Special properties of seam: If the garments is made for special purpose such as water proof, fire retardant etc, then fabric is treated for obtaining properties. In that case, seam should not be destroyed that properties. As for example, if sewing is done on water proof fabric, then the property of the fabric may be damaged by the hole produced by the needle. In that case, the needle hole should be stopped by tape using or any other treatment.