Sewing question?

Question

Okay so this may be a stupid question, but I am new to sewing and the instructions says top-stitch a 1/4 inch seam. What exactly is a top stitch?

Answer 1

Topstitching is a crisp and effective decorative stitch on simple, tailored garments and accessories. It looks best on plain fabrics where it can be seen.  It is an unsuitable decoration for flimsy fabrics...... aka... it is mostly for decoration but with flimsy fabrics it is for support

Answer 2

Instead of concealing or minimizing the stitching, you accentuate the pattern by using a long zig-zag stitch.

http://images.google.com/images?sourceid...

Answer 3

A topstitch is not usually zigzagged.  The most common top stitching you'll see is on jeans.  Some of them hve a line of stitching that runs along next to the real seam.  That's topstitching.  Top stitching is meant to show.  

Figure out which of the little lines next to the needle on the machine is 1/4" away from the needle.  Guide the fabric through the machine so the 1/4" mark is at the edge of the fabric if you're topstitching next to the edge or at the seam line if you're topstitching next to a seam.

Answer 4

Top stitching is very seldom a zig-zag stitch, as a rule it is normally a straight stitch.  It is used as decoration in many cases, but another purpose for it is to help hold facings down.  Example, around the neckline, many shirts will have an interfacing, the top stitching will help hold this interfacing in place, help strengthen the neckline so it will hold it's shape, and gives the neckline a much more crisp, defined look.  When doing this, make sure your seam is pressed good to help keep the seamline matching before top stitching.

What I do when topstitching is use the side of the presser foot as my measuring tool.  As a rule, the outer side of your feed dogs is the 1/4 inch mark.

Answer 5

The top stitch is a straight stitch sewn on top of a primary straight stitch, sewing through the top of the fabric and the seam allowances underneath.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words so here's a website that shows how to topstitch with great pictures:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/...

.