Sewing and Seams (Making-up)

Making-up in the narrower sense means sewing and joining the cut pieces into the finished garment – the last major step of garment production.

Special seams for knitted fabrics

Because knitted fabrics stretch, special seam types were developed for them that follow the stretch of the fabric without breaking. Different seams are used depending on their place on the garment – shoulder, hem or lace attachment: at the shoulder the seam must keep its shape, at the hem it must stay elastic, and at the lace attachment it has to join two very different materials flat.

How to recognise good making-up

Look for flat, soft seams without waviness, and for laces and waistbands attached neatly and straight. Especially with underwear worn directly on the skin, the seams make a tangible difference to comfort.

You will find all terms around materials and workmanship in our Underwear Glossary.