Garment Construction and Finishing
What this domain tests
Garment Construction and Finishing tests the order of assembling a garment, seam types, shaping, fastenings, hems, and pressing. Questions often ask which finish suits a fabric, where to clip or notch, and how to make a neckline or waistband lie flat.
Core rules
- Plan the sequence: layout and cut, mark, staystitch curved edges, sew darts and seams, insert fastenings, attach facings or bands, then hem and press.
- Plain seam is the basic seam; French seam encloses raw edges for fine fabrics; flat-fell seam is strong for shirts and jeans; overlocking or zigzag prevents ravelling.
- Staystitch just inside the seam line on curves to stop stretching. Clip inside curves and notch outside curves so the seam allowance can spread.
- Understitch a facing to its seam allowance to stop it rolling to the outside.
- Press as you sew: press seams flat, then open or to one side as instructed. Use a pressing cloth on delicate fabric.
Worked example
A round neckline with a facing stands away from the body. Reasoning: first staystitch the neckline, then clip the concave curve at intervals up to, but not through, the stitching. Trim and grade the seam allowances, press them toward the facing, and understitch close to the seam. This makes the facing turn neatly inside and lie flat. Pressing the finished neckline over a curved pressing ham helps preserve the shape.
Traps
Clipping through the seam line; forgetting to grade bulky allowances; pressing a dart the wrong way; stretching a neckline while sewing; and hemming before checking the garment's balance and length.