The designated margin of material added outside the actual sewing line of a pattern. It provides room for the fabric to be joined, finished, and pressed without unraveling. Standard commercial patterns typically use 5/8 inch, while industrial apparel production often uses 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch depending on the seam type and machinery.
Heard on the job
Make sure you trim the seam allowance down to a quarter inch before turning the collar right side out.
Insider tip
Always double-check if a pattern includes seam allowance before cutting; European block patterns often require you to draft it in yourself.
Also heard as
- SA