Construction techniques, including seams, edges, openings, and closures

Construction Techniques

Seams: Seams are essential in joining pieces of fabric together. Different types of seams are used based on the final product, type of fabric and the look intended. Some common seams include plain seam, French seam, and flat-felled seam.
Edges: Edges of a garment can be finished in a variety of ways to prevent fraying and give a neat appearance. Edge finishes include clean-finished, serged, and raw with zigzag stitches.
Openings: Openings like necklines, sleeve openings, and slits need to be constructed carefully. They can be finished using facing, binding, or bands.
Closures: Closures like buttons, zips, hook and eye, snaps, or ties are essential for functional and aesthetic elements of garment design.

Seam Construction

Plain Seam: This is the simplest type of seam, created by placing two pieces of fabric right sides together and stitching a straight line.
French Seam: This is more complex, where the fabric edges are encased within the seam. It is used for sheer and lighter weight fabrics for a neat finish.
Flat-Felled Seam: This durable seam hides raw edges within the seam itself and has two parallel lines of stitches visible. It is often seen in jeans and men’s shirts.

Edge Finishes

Clean-Finished Edge: Also known as a turned and stitched finish, where the edge is turned under and stitched close.
Serged Edge: A quick method where the edge is cut and overcasted in one step using a serger.
Raw with Zigzag Stitches: Typically, a zigzag stitch is sewn over the raw edge to prevent fraying.

Clothing Openings

Facing: A facing finishes an edge by sewing an additional piece of fabric to the edge, turning it to the inside and edge-stitching it down.
Binding: Involves encasing the raw edges of the opening with fabric strips.
Bands: Used in places like waistlines or cuffs, where a strip of fabric is added to the opening resulting in a finished edge.

Clothing Closures

Buttons and Buttonholes: Traditional and versatile closure method. Can be decorative or functional.
Zips: Provide a smooth and nearly invisible closure when sewn in properly.
Hook and Eye: Used when a secure closure is needed that lays flat.
Snaps: Quick and easy closure method. Snaps can be seen or invisible in the final garment depending on design choices.
Ties: Can be made from self-fabric, cords, ribbons, or other materials. Offers adjustability in fit. Understanding different construction techniques can make a garment more functional, elegant, and stand out from others. Knowledge of seams, edges, and closures allows for greater creativity in design and impacts the durability and final appearance of the garment.