Finishing / Seaming
Finishing and seaming is the final stage of a knitting project where loose pieces are sewn together, ends are woven in, and buttons or zippers attached.
Explanation
Finishing (or seaming) covers all the work remaining after the knitting itself is done: sewing shoulder, side, and sleeve seams, weaving in all loose ends on the wrong side, sewing in a zipper or buttons, and blocking the garment to its final shape if needed. Well-executed finishing can make a huge difference in how professional a garment looks, no matter how beautifully it was knitted. Mattress stitch (an invisible seam) is a popular technique for joining edges so the seam barely shows from the right side.
Also known as: Finishing, Making up
Mattress stitch
Mattress stitch is the standard seam in knitting. You sew from the right side, passing the needle under the bar between the edge stitch and its neighbour, alternating between pieces. The seam is invisible from the front and lies completely flat.
Because you sew from the right side, you can see immediately if the pieces are shifting — a considerable advantage over sewing from the back.
Order and preparation
Always block the pieces before seaming. Blocked edges lie flat and can be measured against each other, and the pieces are far easier to match in length.
The usual order is shoulders first, then sleeves into the armholes, then side and sleeve seams in one continuous seam.
Common mistakes
- Seaming unblocked pieces with curling edges.
- Pulling the seam tight, making it stiffer than the fabric around it.
Keywords
- finishing
- seaming
- sewing knitting together
Frequently asked questions
Why block before seaming?
Blocked edges lie flat and can be measured against each other. Curling stockinette edges are nearly impossible to seam neatly.
In what order should I seam?
Shoulders, then sleeves into the armholes, then side and sleeve seams in one continuous seam.