Notes on the Trim and Stitch Method: One Variation of the Lapped Seam

Notes on the Trim and Stitch Method: One Variation of the Lapped Seam.

Remember the lapped seam. It is a seam that is important for leather and other so-called non-fraying fabrics. Note that when doing the lapped seam that the right sides of the fabric pieces face up. Thus , this means that wrong sides are placed together. It is difficult to generalise whether seams are done right side to right or wrong side to wrong. However in some way, the right side to right side might be termed the more common method because when the seam is sewn, the seam is on the wrong side..the seam allowances are on the wrong side..so any overlocking or serging that will be done is on the wrong side..and the wrong side is of course the inside, the inner side. So from the beginning, we can say that the lapped seam is something different because the seam is done with wrong sides together..Finally remember that this article is describing the Trim and Stitch Method which is a variation of the Lapped Seam. It is a common industry method for the Lapped Seam. Note that the order is important i.e. Trim comes first and Stitch second. Another method is called the Snitch and Trim Method.

Thus with wrong sides together, overlap the fabric pieces in such a way that the upper fabric overlaps the bottom fabric by a certain amount and that is the amount of the seam allowance. Thus you cut away the so-called 'overlap' fabric by the amount of the seam allowance. The aim is for this cut edge of the overlap fabric to meet the seam allowance line of the under fabric. Note what has happened; The amount of the seam allowance has been snipped off the top fabric or overlapping fabric. Thus a new type of seam will be created simply because the seam allowance amount has been cut off the top fabric. Then since this is so, it seems natural to aim to overlap the two fabrics, the overlying and the underlying by the amount of the seam allowance. Remember that the fabrics are wrong side to wrong and we are working from the right side. Then sew a suitable edge-stitch when you have overlapped the upper fabric onto the bottom. You can also do a zigzag stitch or perhaps some form of serging. It is natural too to do another stitching line away from the edge-stitch. Thus we have a double seam.

I have also put this article on a blog I have:

http://creatavate.blogspot.com/