Thursday, August 16, 2012

Fashion Effects with Top Stitching

1949
Top stitching is an attractive accent for tailored garments.  It accents the lines of a garment and gives additional firmness along the edge.  Top stitching can be done in matching or contrasting thread, by hand or by machine.  A single line of stitching gives a welted effect.  On lighter weight fabrics, several parallel rows of stitching accent a design line or call attention to a particular area of a garment.  Well done top stitching adds an aura of richness and exclusivity, as it is a technique used by designers and couturiers.

Top stitching was popular in the 1940s, as it added style to a garment without using extra fabric, which was important during wartime restrictions. 

1947

In the 1960s, top stitching became popular again as a way to accent the geometric seaming that was used on Mod era garments.

1967

Detail of a 1960s coat I sold several years ago.
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3 comments:

poppykettle said...

That 1960's red coat is totally dreamy. I love the look of topstitching, but until recently had always been to chicken to try it! I'm certainly glad I overcame that... it really does add so much to a garment in the right places.

6:38 PM
deang said...

Topstitching was also popular in the early to mid-seventies on flared jeans. I remember seeing a lot of orange topstitching on jeans back then.

7:58 PM
BetterDressesVintage said...

I've alway liked how top stitching adds definition but not bulk. Thanks for this informative tutorial, Jody!

7:49 AM

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